Etymology of Parable
The word “parable” has entered English from the Greek word parabole. It means “comparison” or “analogy.” In ancient Greek literature, parabole used to refer to a type of speech to explain complex concepts or ideas through metaphors. It entered the English language in the 14th century. It refers to a brief, fictional narrative, illustrating a moral lesson or religious principle.
Literal Meanings
Literal Meaning 1: A Story or Narrative Illustrating a Moral or Religious Lesson
- Definition: It is a type of story or narrative used to illustrate a moral or religious lesson.
- Fictional or semi-fictional: Parables are often fictional or semi-fictional tales.
- Characters: The stories typically involve human characters, animals, or inanimate objects.
- Representation of concepts: These characters symbolically represent larger concepts or ideas.
- Metaphorical language: Parables employ metaphorical language to convey deeper truths or meanings.
- Historical or contemporary setting: The story may be set in a historical or contemporary context.
- Purpose: The main purpose of a parable is to convey a deeper truth or meaning.
Literal Meaning 2: Figure of Speech Explaining a Complex Concept through Comparison
- Definition: It also refers to a type of figure of speech, specifically an analogy or comparison.
- Complex or abstract concept: Parables are used to explain complex or abstract concepts.
- Familiar or concrete comparison: They achieve this by comparing the concept to something more familiar or concrete.
- Rhetorical device: Parables function as rhetorical devices.
- Example: A teacher might employ a parable to explain forgiveness by comparing it to watering a plant and aiding its growth.
Parable in Grammar
Grammatically, “parable” is a noun, which means it is a word used to name a person, place, thing, idea, or concept. As a noun, it functions as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb or preposition, or the object of a possessive construction. For example:
- The parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us about forgiveness. (subject of the sentence)
- Jesus often used them to explain spiritual truths to his followers. (object of the verb “used”)
- It could be difficult to understand without proper interpretation. (object of the preposition “of”)
- The message is of one of hope and redemption. (object of the possessive construction “of the parable”)
In addition to its use as a noun, it can also be used as an adjective to describe a type of story or narrative that is intended to teach a moral or religious lesson. For example, we might speak of a “parable-like” story or a “parable-esque” message.
Definition of Parable
It is a literary device that uses a short, fictional story to illustrate a moral or religious lesson. It often involves human characters or events that symbolize larger concepts or ideas, and the story is usually told in a simple, straightforward manner. They are often found in religious texts such as the Bible.
Types of Parable
Type of Parable | Definition | Example |
Similitude Parables | It shows the use of simple comparisons or analogies to convey a message. | Parable of the Mustard Seed |
Parable of the Sower | ||
Narrative | These parables tell a story with characters and events that illustrates a moral lesson or religious principle | Parable of the Prodigal Son |
Of the Good Samaritan | ||
Exemplary | These present a specific example or case study that serves as a model for behavior. | Of the Wise and Foolish Virgins |
Parable of the Talents | ||
Allegorical Parables | These use characters and events as symbols for larger concepts or ideas. | Parable of the Vine and the Branches |
Parable of the Wedding Banquet | ||
Riddle Parables | These pose a question or challenge that requires interpretation or understanding. | Parable of the Rich Fool |
Parable of the Lost Coin |
Suggested Readings
- Abrams, M.H. “The Deconstructive Angel.” The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, edited by Vincent B. Leitch, et al., 2nd ed., W.W. Norton, 2010, pp. 2090-2107.
- Barthes, Roland. “The Structural Analysis of Narratives.” Image-Music-Text, translated by Stephen Heath, Hill and Wang, 1977, pp. 79-124.
- Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. 2nd ed., University of Minnesota Press, 1996.
- Frye, Northrop. The Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton University Press, 1957.
- Frye, Northrop. The Great Code: The Bible and Literature. Mariner Books, 1983.
- David H. The Critical Tradition: Classic Texts and Contemporary Trends. 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006.
- Scholes, Robert. Structuralism in Literature: An Introduction. Yale University Press, 1974.
- Tyson, Lois. Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2014.
- Wellek, René, and Austin Warren. Theory of Literature. 3rd ed., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1977.