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Literary Devices
Definition of Allegory
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and events. The story of "The Tortoise and The Hare" is... read full definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and events. The story of "The... read full definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and... read full definition
Allegory
Explanation and Analysis—Revolution to Nowhere:
"Rip Van Winkle" can be understood as an allegory for the American Revolution. Rip's frustration as a "henpecked husband" represents the American colonies' frustration with Britain's overreaching rule. The Declaration of Independence and other American founding documents used familial language to describe the relationship between the colonies and Britain, framing American independence as rebellion against a tyrannical father. Rip rebels against his wife, not his father. Because wives at the time were explicitly not supposed to rule the household, this substitution emphasizes the absurdity of Britain retaining tight control over the colonies. Like early colonists leaving Britain and like the established colonies declaring independence, Rip simply leaves home when he is tired of dealing with domestic tyranny.
Related Themes:
