Allegory Encourages Self-reflection and Multi-cultural Understanding in a College Communications Course

Bettina P Murray

doi:10.7575/aiac.alls.v.9n.4p.161

Abstract

Urban college students (n=179) from diverse cultural backgrounds and regions received instruction in the writing of short narratives, or allegories, to express generalizations about human behavior. At the beginning of the three-month semester students were given samples of allegories concluding with a lesson and then were asked to create an original allegory. These original narratives were analyzed and their conclusions categorized. Students’ allegories expressed diverse cultural values although there were cross-cultural similarities. Findings indicated Asian students expressed significant interest in attaining wisdom and a balanced life over time. Latinx emphasized attaining self-respect, love, loyalty and fair treatment. Eastern Europeans were concerned over breaking a trust. Being deceived by appearances was a mutual concern for North Americans, Latinx and Europeans. At the semester’s end a survey of student reactions indicated students gained increased cultural understanding from sharing their work. Implications are that allegory may be used as a literary device to achieve self-reflection and understanding of other cultures.

Highlights

The students in a college basic communications course from different cultures and regions of origin are sometimes hesitant about communicating verbally with those from other cultures
At the beginning of the three-month semester students were given samples of allegories concluding with a lesson and were asked to create an original allegory
The students in this study were at a large university setting in the United States (U.S.A.), came from diverse backgrounds, and 49.7% were born outside of the U.S.A

Summary

Introduction

The students in a college basic communications course from different cultures and regions of origin are sometimes hesitant about communicating verbally with those from other cultures. In this study allegories are considered to be stories about people or animals that dealt with generally held truths about human nature and concluded with various lessons about life. They were intended to represent abstract ideas or principles using characters, figures or events in narrative form (“Literary Devices, Allegory,” 2013). Examples were provided to the students from often cited fabulists such as Aesop (2016a b; Henry, 2012; La Fontaine, 2014)

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion