Parable-2: How to Write a Parable

Introduction

A parable is a concise narrative or story, often fictional, that serves as a metaphorical or allegorical representation of a moral, spiritual, or philosophical lesson. It employs relatable characters and situations to convey deeper truths, allowing the audience to grasp complex concepts through simplified and relatable scenarios.

Literary Examples of Parable

Parable Title	Explanation
Animal Farm by George Orwell	Animal Farm is a political allegory by George Orwell that uses a group of farm animals to satirize the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent Soviet Union. The animals represent various social classes and political factions, and their actions and interactions illustrate the corrupting influence of power and the dangers of totalitarianism. It serves as a critique of the abuse of power and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck	The Pearl is a novella by John Steinbeck that tells the story of a poor Mexican pearl diver who discovers a valuable pearl with the hope that it will bring him a better life. However, his newfound wealth brings only trouble and tragedy. The story uses allegorical elements to explore themes of greed, corruption, and the true nature of wealth. It highlights the consequences of pursuing material possessions at the expense of personal well-being and happiness.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis	The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis is a series of children’s books that includes numerous parables and allegories illustrating Christian themes and principles. For example, the character of Aslan the lion serves as a Christ figure who sacrifices himself to save others, while the White Witch represents the forces of evil and temptation. The series uses imaginative storytelling to convey moral and spiritual lessons, promoting virtues such as courage, forgiveness, and faith.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry	The Little Prince is a philosophical tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry that follows the encounters between a pilot and a mysterious little prince. The story explores themes of love, friendship, and the meaning of life. Through allegory and symbolism, it conveys the message of cherishing the intangible aspects of existence and questioning the values of the materialistic world. It can be interpreted as a parable about the search for spiritual enlightenment and the importance of nurturing genuine connections with others.

How to Create a Parable

Creating a parable in a fictional work involves crafting a story that uses symbolic elements to convey a deeper message or moral lesson. Here are some steps you can follow to create a parable in your fictional work:

Step	Explanation	Practical Example
Determine the Message	Identify the central moral, spiritual, or philosophical lesson you want to convey through the parable.	For a parable about compassion, the message might revolve around the importance of helping others in times of need.
Choose Symbolic Elements	Select characters, objects, and settings that symbolize the key concepts related to your message.	Choosing a traveler as the main character and a rugged path as the setting can symbolize life’s journey and challenges.
Craft the Narrative	Develop a concise and relatable storyline that follows a clear beginning, middle, and end, incorporating the chosen symbolic elements.	A traveler encounters obstacles along the path and receives assistance from unexpected sources, highlighting the theme of unexpected kindness.
Use Figurative Language	Employ metaphors, similes, and other figurative language techniques to enhance the allegorical nature of the parable and emphasize its underlying meaning.	Describing the path as “winding like the twists of fate” deepens the allegorical quality of the narrative.
Allow for Interpretation	Construct the parable in a way that encourages multiple layers of interpretation, enabling readers to draw insights and lessons relevant to their own experiences.	Readers might interpret the parable as a call to be open to help from unexpected quarters, applicable to various life situations.

By following these steps, you can create a powerful and meaningful parable in your fictional work that engages readers and conveys a message that resonates long after the story is over.

Benefits of Using Parables in Literature

• Universal Relevance: Parables encapsulate universal truths and lessons, making them accessible and relatable to a wide range of readers regardless of cultural or societal background.
• Simplicity and Depth: Parables present complex ideas in a simplified form, allowing for deeper philosophical, moral, or spiritual exploration within a concise narrative structure.
• Engagement and Reflection: The engaging storytelling nature of parables captivates readers’ attention and encourages them to reflect on the underlying messages, fostering thought and contemplation.
• Multiple Interpretations: Parables often accommodate various interpretations, inviting readers to engage actively with the text and extract meanings that resonate with their personal experiences and perspectives.
• Memorability: The memorable and concise nature of parables aids in retaining the conveyed lessons, ensuring that the insights are more likely to be recalled and applied in real-life situations.
• Cultural Transmission: Parables can transmit cultural values, ethics, and wisdom across generations, preserving and conveying important societal teachings in an enduring manner.
• Engaging Pedagogical Tool: Parables serve as effective educational tools, enabling teachers, preachers, and speakers to convey complex concepts in a memorable and impactful manner.
• Facilitating Discussion: The open-ended nature of parables sparks discussions and debates, allowing readers to exchange their interpretations and insights, contributing to a deeper exploration of the themes.
• Empathy and Identification: Characters and situations in parables mirror real-life experiences, fostering empathy and enabling readers to identify with the lessons on a personal level.
• Inspiration and Transformation: Parables have the potential to inspire positive change and transformation by encouraging readers to reconsider their attitudes, behaviors, and perspectives.

Parable and Literary Theory

Parables can be analyzed and understood through a variety of literary theories, each providing a unique perspective on the form and function of this literary device. Here are a few examples:

Literary Theory	Interpretation of Parable	Example of Critique
Reader-response Literary Theory	Reader-response theory emphasizes the role of the reader in interpreting and creating meaning from a text. With parables, the reader’s interpretation and understanding of the moral or message are crucial to the overall impact of the story. The focus is on how individual readers engage with the parable, bringing their own experiences, beliefs, and values to shape their understanding of its significance.	In the context of reader-response theory, a critique may examine how different readers interpret the same parable in divergent ways, highlighting the subjectivity of meaning-making and exploring the implications of these varied interpretations on the overall message and effectiveness of the parable.
Structuralism Literary Theory	Structuralism emphasizes the underlying structures and patterns in a text, including recurring themes and motifs. With parables, the use of symbolic elements and recurring patterns can be analyzed to uncover the deeper meaning and message being conveyed. Structural analysis focuses on the relationships between different elements and the overall coherence of the parable’s structure.	In a structuralist critique, the focus may be on identifying and analyzing the recurring motifs and symbols in the parable, examining how they contribute to the overall meaning and coherence of the narrative. The critique may explore the interplay between different elements and the significance of their arrangement in conveying the parable’s central message or moral.
Marxism Literary Theory	Marxism focuses on the social and economic forces that shape literature and culture. With parables, Marxist analysis may focus on the power dynamics and class relations that are often present in these stories. The emphasis is on understanding how the parable reflects and reinforces the prevailing social and economic order, or alternatively, how it critiques and challenges it.	In a Marxist critique, the analysis may examine how the parable represents and reinforces existing power structures or class divisions. It may explore how the parable portrays characters in relation to their socioeconomic status and the implications of these portrayals on the distribution of power and resources. The critique may also assess whether the parable promotes or challenges class consciousness and revolutionary ideas.
Feminist Literary Theory	Feminist theory emphasizes the role of gender and sexuality in literature and culture. With parables, feminist analysis may focus on the gender roles and representations of female characters in the story. The critique aims to examine how the parable reinforces or challenges traditional gender norms and the patriarchal power structures that perpetuate gender inequality.	In a feminist critique, the focus may be on analyzing the portrayal of female characters in the parable, exploring whether they are depicted as passive, stereotypical, or marginalized. The critique may assess how the parable addresses issues such as gender roles, power imbalances, and agency, and evaluate whether it subverts or perpetuates gender norms and stereotypes.
Postcolonial Literary Theory	Postcolonial theory explores the legacy of colonialism and imperialism in literature and culture. With parables, postcolonial analysis may focus on the cultural and political implications of the story, particularly in relation to issues of power, representation, and identity. The critique aims to uncover how the parable reflects or challenges colonial ideologies and the ways in which it represents marginalized or colonized communities.	In a postcolonial critique, the analysis may examine how the parable portrays cultural identities, explores the effects of colonization on indigenous cultures, or challenges Eurocentric perspectives. The critique may evaluate whether the parable reinforces or challenges power imbalances, and assess its potential to give voice to marginalized communities and challenge dominant narratives.

It must be kept in mind that different literary theories could help us to better understand the form, function, and significance of parables in literature and culture, and deepen our appreciation for their complexity and richness.

Suggested Readings

1. 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.
2. Barthes, Roland. “The Structural Analysis of Narratives.” Image-Music-Text, translated by Stephen Heath, Hill and Wang, 1977, pp. 79-124.
3. Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. 2nd ed., University of Minnesota Press, 1996.
4. Frye, Northrop. The Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton University Press, 1957.
5. Frye, Northrop. The Great Code: The Bible and Literature. Mariner Books, 1983.
6. David H. The Critical Tradition: Classic Texts and Contemporary Trends. 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006.
7. Scholes, Robert. Structuralism in Literature: An Introduction. Yale University Press, 1974.
8. Tyson, Lois. Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2014.
9. Wellek, René, and Austin Warren. Theory of Literature. 3rd ed., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1977.