Metaphorical Literature (Chart) by CWK

Type	Source	Structure	Characteristics	Grace	Law	Revelation	Example	Purpose
Metaphor		A is B	“is”				“God is love.”	Connection: reveal or conceal
Similitude		A is like B	“is like”				“The Kgdm of heaven is like…”	Connection: reveal or conceal
Parable	-OT -Jesus	A is B in narrative form	-God is often main character -surprise/reversal -Indirection -> Indirection.	X		Special	Prodigal Son	Obscure: conceal, then reveal.
Fable	-OT -Aesop -Uncle Remus	-Short -A is like B in narrative form -includes epigram	-each quality embodies a character, “Fox, Lion, etc.” -surprise/reversal -Indirection -> Direction. -usu. non-human characters -realistic -ironical		X	General	The tortoise and the hair.	-Instruction in morals, wisdom. -entertainment
Typology	OT types Christ, Church, Salvation, Ways of God	B is A, only fuller, greater.  Interwoven in salvation history.	-Lesser to greater. -Shadow to substance. -Promise to fulfillment. -Direction -> fuller direction.	X		Special	-Levitical system prepares categories  for work of Christ. -Solomon, Moses, etc. types of Christ.	Progressive Revelation aids in preparation.
Allegory	-Plato -Ezekiel 16-17 -Psalm 80, “The Vine”	B represents A – some quality of A; usually narrative.	-each character embodies a quality	X		General and Special	-Plato’s “Cave” -The Fairy Queen -Pilgrim’s Progress - Animal Farm -Gulliver’s Travels -The Chronicles of Narnia	-Representation for understanding -Representation for acceptance. -clarification.
Fairy Story/ Fairy Tales	-Brothers Grimm -Andersen -George Macdonald	Spirit world exaggerates and corresponds to real world.	-Spirit world is like this world. -Tone: mystery; fear; confusion; beauty. -supernatural			General	-Phantastes	-Representation for understanding. -Baptize imagination.
Fictional Narrative	Jane Austen; Jonathon Swift	Extends metaphors in great detail	-This world is like the spirit world. -Tone: realism; reality; detail.			General	-Lord of the Rings	Through “sub-creation” delight and inspire.