Allegory: More Than a Metaphor

Victorian Curriclum Outcome: Apply increasing knowledge of vocabulary, text structures and language features to understand the content of texts (VCELY411)

PART ONE: What is an Allegory?

Allegories are extended metaphors in which the elements of a narrative (actions, characters, objects etc.) have meanings outside of the narrative. Essentially, allegories are stories with two meanings. The literal content of the narrative and the latent content (underlying symbolic meaning) that often has a political, moral or social message. Characters may be personifications of abstract ideas. (source)

PART TWO: Allegory in The Lorax.

In the comment section below, answer these questions:

1. What do you think is the literal content of The Lorax? (e.g. what actually happens in the story?)

2. What do you think is the latent content of The Lorax? (e.g. what underlying message(s) is Dr Seuss trying to convey?)

*I'm not looking for 'correct' answers here, just your developing opinion!