Identifying Allegorical Themes in Literature

In literary analysis, allegory is often employed as a narrative technique that conveys deeper meanings through symbolic figures, events, and imagery. Consider the following excerpt from a modern novel:

“The shadows whispered secrets of the past, as the sun dipped behind the hills, casting long fingers of darkness that beckoned the vulnerable into an unseen embrace. Here, every character's struggle mirrored the eternal battle between light and darkness, where hope flickered like a dying ember.”

Which of the following interpretations most accurately identifies the central allegorical theme presented in the excerpt?