A story in which characters or actions represent abstract ideas or moral qualities is

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the type of story where characters or actions stand for abstract ideas (such as greed, virtue, or freedom) or moral qualities. In other words, the story has a deeper symbolic meaning beneath the surface story.

Step 2: Explain the concepts and check each option

• A. Epic: A long narrative poem about the heroic deeds of a great hero, often tied to the history of a people (e.g., Beowulf, Sundiata). Its characters are heroes, not symbols of abstract ideas. ❌
• B. Legend: A traditional story about a historical or semi-historical figure, often exaggerated and handed down over generations. It is not mainly symbolic. ❌
• C. Allegory: A story in which characters, events, and settings symbolically represent abstract ideas, moral or political qualities. It has a literal meaning and a hidden, deeper meaning. Examples are Animal Farm by George Orwell (the animals stand for political figures and ideas) and The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (characters like Christian, Faithful, and Hopeful represent spiritual qualities). ✅
• D. Satire: A work that uses humour, irony, or ridicule to expose and criticize human folly or vice. It may use allegory as a tool, but satire itself is defined by its purpose of mockery or criticism, not by symbolic representation. ❌

Step 3: Identify the answer The definition given matches allegory, so the answer is C.

Exam tip: Link the word allegory with "abstract ideas" or with Animal Farm. If the question mentions characters representing ideas or morals, think allegory. If it mentions ridicule or criticism of society, think satire. If it mentions a hero's great deeds, think epic.