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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—Giant and Dwarf:
After recounting a series of setbacks the family has gone through in the last few chapters, Dr. Primrose begins the 13 chapter lecturing his wife and children on the folly of social climbing. To illustrate this point, Dick recounts a fable he read earlier in the day. This fable serves as an allegory of the lesson Dr. Primrose is attempting to teach his family.
The fable is about a giant and a dwarf that promise each other that they will always remain friends. These two friends go on a series of adventures in which they defeat a range of other mythical creatures. Each adventure, however, always leaves the dwarf losing a new body part while the giant remains as strong as ever. It becomes harder and harder for the dwarf to keep up with his friend. After the dwarf has lost an arm, a leg, and an eye, the giant suggests they seek a final victory to "have honour forever." The dwarf, "by this time grown wiser," responds in the negative: "I’ll fight no more; for I find in every battle that you get all the honour and rewards, but all the blows fall upon me."
After Dick finishes telling the story, Dr. Primrose notes that he "was going to moralize this fable," but an interruption keeps him from being able to do as planned. However, Goldsmith knows that his moralizing is not necessary for the reader to catch the intended allegorical takeaway. The story's moral is the same one Dr. Primrose repeatedly seeks to instill in his family: that attempting to catch up with richer, more influential people and living above one's true means will only result in disappointment and humiliation. He believes in justice and equality, but also knows that the world is unfair. According to him, "Unequal combinations are always disadvantageous to the weaker side: the rich having the pleasure, and the poor the inconveniencies that result from them."
Related Themes:
