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What is an Allegory?
What is an Allegory?
To Understand Allegory Let's Explore this Example:
To Understand Allegory Let's Explore this Example:
First Draft Read of Yertle the Turtle
First Draft Read of Yertle the Turtle
Read the story by Dr. Seuss, linked below - be prepared to share out the who, what, where, when, why of the story.
Yertle the Turtle.pdfSecond Draft Read of Yertle the Turtle
Second Draft Read of Yertle the Turtle
Yertle the Turtle is an allegory.
Allegory = A story with two meanings: 1 - a literal meaning (the who, what, where, when, why) and 2 - a figurative meaning (think of it as an extended metaphor)
Allegory = A story with two meanings: 1 - a literal meaning (the who, what, where, when, why) and 2 - a figurative meaning (think of it as an extended metaphor)
In order to understand the allegory, you need some additional information about Dr. Seuss. Here it is:
Dr. Seuss began his career as a writer, but when World War II began he turned to drawing political cartoons. He drew over 400 in two years as editorial cartoonist for the left-leaning New York City daily newspaper. His themes were generally anti-fascist, critiquing Hitler and Mussolini. And although he deplored the racism at home against Jews and blacks that harmed the war effort, his cartoons also tended to depict the Japanese in racist ways.
Here is an example of one of his cartoons. Let's take an analytical look at some of the key details and what it can tell us about the way Dr. Seuss thinks.
Your task, is to now revisit the text. Having some more information about Dr. Seuss and his world views and values, what do you think is the allegorical meaning of Yertle the Turtle? Be ready to support your ideas with key details from the story and from these other sources of information.
The Importance of Knowing More to Understand Allegory
The Importance of Knowing More to Understand Allegory
The first thing you need to keep in mind is the modern definition of "witch hunt." This is a term that (obviously) got its meaning from the historical searches for and persecution of suspected witches. In today's context the term "witch hunt" actually means a campaign directed against a person or group holding unorthodox or unpopular views - by searching them out and deliberately harassing them.
Here is a link to an interesting article that discusses the political history of the term witch hunt. Check it out if you are interested.
We are going to read an allegorical play called The Crucible. In it's literal meaning it is a work of historical fiction about the Salem Witch Trials. In it's figurative meaning, however, it is about the Communist witch hunts, specifically in Hollywood, during the McCarthy/Red Scare era. The author of the play - Arthur Miller - was persecuted as part of this witch hunt.
In order to help you identify this figurative meaning in the play, we need to first get some background information regarding the McCarthy/Red Scare era.
McCarthyism and the Red ScareAbove is a recording of the meet with my lecture on the topic. It will help you understand the slide show.
The Crucible
The Crucible
Over the next week or so we are going to read all - or excerpts (depending on time) - of The Crucible. You each have been provided with a copy of this document. Use this copy to follow along. Reading assignments will be posted to Google Classroom.
In addition, because plays aren't really meant to be read, but performed, we will also be watching the film. I think you will find this helpful.
As you read, you will be asked to complete these three columned notes to analyze how fear appeals play a role in what unfolds in Salem, and what lessons we can learn and apply to both McCarthyism and our modern world. You will turn these into Google Classroom when we have finished the play.
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