Which term best describes a narrative that uses symbolic figures to critique society?

• A. Allegory
• B. Myth
• C. Folktales
• D. Paradox

Answer: (A)

A narrative that uses symbolic figures to critique society is best described as an allegory. In an allegory, characters, events, and details operate on two levels: the surface story and a deeper, symbolic one where the figures stand for ideas, groups, or social forces. This setup lets the tale critique politics, injustice, or human folly by showing those abstractions through symbolic characters and situations. A myth, while often featuring gods and fantastical elements, aims to explain origins or natural phenomena rather than deliver a pointed social critique. Folktales convey culture, morals, or entertainment without the explicit, layered critique that defines allegory. A paradox is a rhetorical device—a self-contradiction used within arguments or statements—not a narrative form built to critique society through symbolism.