What Does Allegory Have to Do In Film?
The term allegory is commonly used in literature. As it’s a technique that comes up in storytelling when attempting to communicate a symbolic element. You’ve probably heard the term allegory in literature. But what does allegory have to do in film? If you’re new to screenwriting and cinema, you’re probably wondering what an allegory has to do with filmmaking. And you’re certainly not alone!
We’re going to address how allegories are approached in filmmaking. And what an allegory has to do with film, movies, and cinema. Before we can give you a full understanding as to what allegory has to do with film. Let’s take a look at what an allegory is in the first place.
What is an Allegory?
An allegory is a literary technique that is used in storytelling to convey a symbolic meaning to an audience. Unlike a metaphor that basically symbolizes a single thing, an allegory is more of a grand-scheme approach, it’s a symbolic meaning in a grand way.
An allegory can be behind the entire story of a film, or might be the film. The biggest, or most well known type of allegory is the fable. Fables are a means of symbolic storytelling in which the author shares an incredibly symbolic meaning that is political or moralistic in nature.
Basically, an allegory expresses a complex idea that is challenging to approach (like politics or society or underlying morals) in an approachable manner.
Examples of Allegory in Film
So, what does allegory have to do in film? Allegories, like fables, have significant power in film. Some allegories are parables, or fables, that basically use metaphors for instructional purposes.
They make a complex topic an approachable topic and may be used in film to deliver a moralistic message that adds to the story’s theme.
Pop Culture
Have you ever seen The Chronicles of Narnia? Or The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe? The story, by C.S. Lewis, is a Biblical allegory that represents various themes of the bible and several interpretations which are unique to the current time.
If you’ve seen The Lord of the Rings series then you’ve experienced J.R.R. Tolkein’s focus, many argue, is the result of an allegory that is reflected on World War I.
Allegories like this have been used to interpret various political points in history or to shed light on otherwise complicated societal elements and, while the consensus is unclear, many argue that The Lord of the Rings is an allegory to World War 1.
Storytelling of Film
So, what does allegory have to do in film? An allegory is used in the storytelling of film to communicate a symbolic element.
Or to otherwise represent a moralistic or political situation or event in a symbolic manner. So as to shed light on an otherwise complicated and hard to discuss situation.