allegorical
adj. C1 Advanced US //ˌæɫəˈɡɔɹəkəɫ// UK //ˌælɪɡˈɒɹɪkəl// al·le·gor·i·cal
adj. describing a story or picture that uses characters and events to represent real people or ideas. You use this when the meaning is hidden behind a simple surface story.
adj. representing abstract or spiritual ideas by characters, figures, or events in narrative, painting, or dramatic form. Often used to describe works where the literal plot serves as a metaphor for a deeper moral or political message.
The story is an allegorical tale about the struggle between good and evil.
The artist used allegorical symbols to represent the virtues of wisdom and justice in the mural.
The novel is a masterful allegorical work, using the journey of a single character to explore the complex social hierarchies of the era.