English - Allegory

Create Your Own Allegory 50 points

Directions: In order to fully understand the objectives of an allegorical story, and the use of archetypal characters, please create your own! Please complete the items highlighted in yellow :)

In your group ( no more than 3 people, please), or singly, as you choose:

● Decide a modern problem that is important to you (and worthy of social commentary) ● Use a historical event, or create an event that explores the topic ● Create one archetypal character ( protagonist) that reflects the character traits valued by your

community ● Describe the community values exhibited by the character ( role model) ● Create a list of pertinent images ( simple images, metaphors, similes, personification etc.),

symbols, allusions that will help reveal your social commentary ● From this list—what common ideas, or motifs ( which support a theme), do you see?

For example:

Allegorical Elements Allegory: Crucible (1692) Red Scare ( 1950) Conflict Political power in the Salem

Church government ( theocracy): the conservative Putnam clan wanted power over the more liberal Porter group

McCarthyism: used threats and intimidation to gain political power in Senate. Conservative leaders followed, attacking liberal leaders.

(opinion): conservatives used Red Scare to deter the Civil Rights movement

Setting Salem Witch Trials McCarthyism Character: protagonist Role Model

(Archetype) John Proctor Miller ( the author)

Character: antagonist (Archetype) Putnam Abigail Williams

Elia Kazan Senator J. McCarthy

Values ( community traits) Individual rights versus Conformity Human rights harmed

*Shows the hypocrisy of religious values in community

Conformity Harm to civil rights

*Shows the hypocrisy of the American claim of freedom for all/Bill of Rights

Literary elements ● diction/phrases “You will confess

or…_

● diction/phrases: threat, intimidation, accusation, subversion, “Any man who has been named by a either a senator or a committee or a congressman as dangerous to the welfare of this nation, his name should be submitted,” condemned

● images: “judgement would freeze beer,”

“this is a sharp time,” “ I will give you a

pointy reckoning”

● symbols: name “ being white” in the

village, rabbit ( walking into Proctor

house), poppet, , knife, land,

documents, name

● allusions: Salem Witch Trial, specific

names of historical figures

● motifs ( repeated words, symbols,

images that support a theme): Secrets,

Judgment, Accusation, Evil, with us or

against us, conformity

● images: list of names, red scare

propaganda

● symbols: name, colors, red flag,

documents, subpoena, HUAC

● allusions: Wheeler Speech,, “Domino Theory,” Blacklisting, the Hollywood Ten, Elia Kazan

● motifs ( repeated words, symbols,

images that support a theme): Secrets,

Judgment, Accusation, with us or

against us, conformity

Common Allegories 10 points

Media Source Allegorical Elements Message Sour Grapes (Parable)

Need story?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnFBXeXO0S0

● Audience

● Conflict

● Setting

● Characters (

archetypes)

● Supporting details (

devices)

Maus

● Audience

● Conflict

Need info? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maus

● Setting

● Characters (

archetypes)

● Supporting details (

devices)

X-Men

X-Men as allegory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFkSSX6dDOk

● Audience

● Conflict

● Setting

● Characters (

archetypes)

● Supporting details (

devices)

Now, your turn! Create your allegory 40 points

Audience:

For whom is this intended? Consider: age group, gender group, ethnic group, interests, location?

Allegorical Elements Allegory: Created World/Historical World

Reality What message?

Problem ( conflict) How reflected in this setting? How does it reflect reality?

Setting Time

Place

Time

Place

Plot Provide a short summary of fictional events:

How do these fictional events reflect reality?

Character (archetype) Protagonist/ Role Model

Who is she/he/it/them?

Describe the character

Values?

Describe how they behave in the environment?

How do they react to event?

Who is she/he/it/them?

Describe the character

Values?

Describe how they behave in the environment?

How do they react to event?

Characters (archetype) Antagonist ( reinforces Conflict)

Who is she/he/it/them?

Describe the character values?

Describe how they behave in the environment?

How do they react to events?

What community values/character traits do they represent?

Supportive details to emphasize the message

Brainstorm Devices:

● diction/phrases (

o what does your

character say?/

o what does your

narrator repeat?)

● images:

o represent conflict?

o help characterize

the character?

● symbols

o what sort of symbol

would reflect the

conflict?

● allusions

o what references

would help

illustrate the

conflict?

Elaborate: How do these devices reflect the problem?

● diction/phrases

● images

● symbols

● allusions