Allegory and fable are two literary genres that share some similarities but also have distinct differences.
An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that uses symbols or characters to convey a deeper meaning or moral lesson. The characters and events in an allegory are often abstract or metaphorical, and are meant to represent larger ideas or concepts. For example, George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm” is an allegory in which the characters are farm animals who represent different political factions and ideologies.
A fable, on the other hand, is a short story that typically features animals or inanimate objects as characters and is intended to teach a moral lesson. Unlike allegories, fables do not rely on abstract or metaphorical characters and events, but rather use animals or objects to convey the moral lesson in a more accessible and entertaining way. Examples of fables include Aesop’s “The Tortoise and the Hare” and Jean de la Fontaine’s “The Grasshopper and the Ant.”
In summary, allegories and fables are both literary genres that aim to teach moral lessons, but allegories use abstract or metaphorical characters and events to convey their deeper meaning, while fables use animals or objects as characters in a more accessible and entertaining way.