English Literature IGCSE
Allegory
What Allegory means in English Literature IGCSE, as defined for Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Allegory
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
A story that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
A story in which characters and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities.
Topics that use Allegory
- The War of the Worlds (Cambridge International IGCSE)
- The Scarlet Letter (Pearson Edexcel IGCSE)
Related terms
Using Allegory in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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