Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct answer is allegory, as this literary device is specifically designed to convey abstract concepts through the use of character representation and narrative. In an allegory, characters, events, and details in the story symbolize deeper meanings, often relating to moral, social, political, or philosophical themes. For instance, in works like George Orwell's "Animal Farm," farm animals represent various classes and political figures, enabling readers to engage with complex ideas in a more accessible way.

Other literary devices have their specific functions: metaphor implies a comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as," painting vivid images but not necessarily embodying abstract concepts as characters. A parable serves as a brief story that teaches a moral lesson, usually with a more direct approach rather than a full representation of abstract ideas. Symbolism, on the other hand, uses symbols to signify ideas and qualities, but it may not transform them into characters. Thus, allegory stands out for its unique ability to personify abstract concepts within its narrative framework.