Literature Glossary

Don’t be an oxymoron. Know your literary terms.

Over 200 literary terms, Shmooped to perfection.

Parable

Definition:

Similar to a fable (except parables feature human characters, not animals) or an apologue, a parable is a short, didactic tale meant to convey a moral lesson. The New Testament is filled with parables, like "The Good Samaritan" and "The Prodigal Son."