Aesopian
9.9
Using hidden story meanings to criticize without saying it directly
- adjective
- /ˌiːˈzoʊpiən/
- Literature
:
aesopiano
- More straightforward fabular or parabolic examples of the Aesopian kind can be found in Sun Tzu and Han Fei-tzu.
Examples
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In his speech, the politician used Aesopian language, hinting at his true opinions without directly stating them to avoid backlash.
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The children's book contained an Aesopian tale that subtly critiqued social issues through clever animal characters.
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Many Aesopian stories teach moral lessons by using animals to convey deeper meanings about human behavior.
Synonyms
7
7.7
Using a story to show a moral or political idea
aims to hide criticism to avoid censorship rather than state it openly
How Indirect
Surface Forms
Aesopian positive
Morphology
Etymology
Aesopian comes from the storyteller Aesop, who told short 'fables' with talking animals that hide lessons or criticism. So, Aesopian describes language or stories that use 'hidden' meanings or symbols to say something without saying it directly.