Allegory: a Lost Art

[13FoxLima7]

Something should be said for the lost art of allegorical writing. I’m re-reading George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Most people my age group haven’t read it and it really shows. I see fewer books being recommended or applauded that are written as allegories. Maybe because I grew up in a religious background heavy in allegories and parables, or because as a kid I loved Aesop’s Fables and Pilgrim’s Progress, I have a love for lessons learned through fiction writing.

George Orwell’s problem was writing 1984 so early (yet accurately). Now we can all say “hey it’s not so bad, it’s not like we live under Big Brother!” All the while hurdling toward that very end with reckless abandon.

 

[LibraryLady]

I would argue that. There are many fine examples of allegory in 20th & 21st century fiction. The entire sci-fi/fantasy genres are rife with rich examples, as are some of the more modern classics.

Example. Every time I read HP, I find something new. This last December, my reading of them really struck me how the masses can be guided by media.

LL

 

[13FoxLima7]

I would argue that. There are many fine examples of allegory in 20th & 21st century fiction. The entire sci-fi/fantasy genres are rife with rich examples, as are some of the more modern classics.

Example. Every time I read HP, I find something new. This last December, my reading of them really struck me how the masses can be guided by media.

LL

I agree, the Sci-Fi genre has consistently been good at that. The problem lies in that less genres are using allegory and satire to pass on lessons. But that’s probably a symptom of generations reading less and showing a general disinterest in focusing on lessons learned. One reason I enjoyed H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine was that it explored what was happening in his own time by exaggerating the issues in a “future” time. It stands out to me the scenes from 1984 where they keep changing who they are at war with and no one notices. Much like no one notices the moving goal posts in our own politics. Leaders switching their stances and acting as though they have always held that belief.

If you have any Sci-Fi recommendations, I would appreciate it. I am always looking to expand my palate into various genres.

 

[R.Caerbannog]

I agree, the Sci-Fi genre has consistently been good at that. The problem lies in that less genres are using allegory and satire to pass on lessons. But that’s probably a symptom of generations reading less and showing a general disinterest in focusing on lessons learned. One reason I enjoyed H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine was that it explored what was happening in his own time by exaggerating the issues in a “future” time. It stands out to me the scenes from 1984 where they keep changing who they are at war with and no one notices. Much like no one notices the moving goal posts in our own politics. Leaders switching their stances and acting as though they have always held that belief.

If you have any Sci-Fi recommendations, I would appreciate it. I am always looking to expand my palate into various genres.

Have you read Starship Troopers? It's a super neat book.

 

[13FoxLima7]

Have you read Starship Troopers? It's a super neat book.

Not yet, it is on my list though.

 

[R.Caerbannog]

Not yet, it is on my list though.

Dude!!! It's flipping amazing! Someone left a copy on the CQ desk and it made for a sleepless and enjoyable shift.

 

[13FoxLima7]

Dude!!! It's flipping amazing! Someone left a copy on the CQ desk and it made for a sleepless and enjoyable shift.

I will definitely give it a read! Also I love when that happens. The free library in the barracks in my deployment fully cemented Michael Crichton as my favorite author of all time. I wish I could find and thank whoever left all his books there for us.

 

[x SF med]

Read everything written by Gordon R Dickson, the entire Childe Cycle (aka Dorsai or Final Encyclopedia series).
Kipling
Stanislaw Lem
Asimov
Frank Herbert
Heinlein

 

[LibraryLady]

CS Lewis
Vonnegut - especially Slaughterhouse Five
Hemingway
Kafka
A Clockwork Orange
Philip K Dick
Tolkien
Allende
Steinbeck - Great Gatsby is awesome
Faulkner - he's a classic example of southern literature (google that)
Melville
Franken
Cormac McCarthy
Ian McEwan
Eugenides
Yann Martel
Neil Gaiman
Latin American magical realism - another subgenre that's amazing
Susanna Clarke
Hosseini
Murakami
A Winter's Tale - Helprin

Do you want me to keep going? That's a mixture of some 20th & 21st century authors writing with a dose of allegory. The Troll hit on some rather good classic SF/fantasy also, I've got a few mixed in there also.

Get you to your local library and ASK the librarian! Even better keep a list of what you've read, liked and disliked and take that to your librarian. They can either direct to more like what you've been reading or take you in a different direction.

Of course my favorite for allegory is Shakespeare. For my 16th bday I got a complete works that has traveled with me EVERWHERE, including all of my journeys when I was in the Army.

Have fun!

LL

 

[13FoxLima7]

This is exactly what I needed! TM for the suggestions, now I have a decent list of reads and rereads. All of this seems right where I am headed literary-wise. I hope some of these works can catch on more popularity. This is where I am glad to be proven wrong. I have toyed with the idea of publishing a book; I hope other new authors also continue the style.

 

[Stump]

If you are looking for something along the lines of military allegory, check out The Defense of Hill 781 by James McDonough. I just read it recently. Not your typical allegorical read, but it adds a different flavor to professional military readings.

 

[Marauder06]

If you are looking for something along the lines of military allegory, check out The Defense of Hill 781 by James McDonough. I just read it recently. Not your typical allegorical read, but it adds a different flavor to professional military readings.

Wow hitting the wayback machine on that one! I pulled it off my father's bookshelf when I was in college, confused the hell out of me until I was older.

The Defense of Hill 781: An Allegory of Modern Mechanized Combat: James R. McDonough: 9780891414759: Amazon.com: Books

 

[13FoxLima7]

If you are looking for something along the lines of military allegory, check out The Defense of Hill 781 by James McDonough. I just read it recently. Not your typical allegorical read, but it adds a different flavor to professional military readings.

Sounds great! I had not really given much thought to military allegory, I look forward to reading it!