Allusions

Definition: An allusion is a reference within a work to something famous outside of it.

Famous something outside of it: a well-known person, place, event, story, work of art, literature or music

More About Allusions

An allusion IS a type of metaphor. Its purpose is to allow the reader/viewer to understand new information, characters, plot, setting, or other elements by connecting it to something already known.

Allusions are NOT Illusions

Common Problems with Allusions

In order to understand allusions, the reader must have prior knowledge of literature, art, music, pop culture, etc. So, being well-read is important to understanding allusions. Allusions are NOT references to someone/something only a small group of people know. His smile is similar to my dads smile is NOT something well-known although it is a comparison it is NOT an allusion.

Purpose of Allusions
Whenever you come across an allusion ask yourself What does the writer want me to understand about the elements of literature such as character, setting, plot, or other element by connecting it to something with which I am already familiar?

What is the authors purpose in using this allusion? *Does it create the same feeling/mood as the original work? *Is it for comedic effect? *Does it show the characters motives or traits?

Allusion Example
Sally had a smile that rivaled that of Mona Lisa. Since everyone is familiar with the painting, they can imagine what Sallys smile looks like.

Allusion Example
The Karate Kid
Disneys Hercules

Hercules alludes to The Karate Kid when Hercules is training. Disney uses this allusion so the viewer thinks of The Karate Kid, and after training in the sunlight, Daniel wins the big match. The allusion is used to foreshadow that Hercules will also be successful in his big match.

Most Popular Works used as Sources for Allusions

The Bible Mythology Shakespeare

So, what does that tell you? ---You must be well-read in order to understand most allusions!

Mythology Allusion Example

Achilles Heel When Achilles was a baby, it was foretold that he would die in battle from an arrow. Naturally, his mother did not want her son to die. So she took Achilles to a magical river which was supposed to offer powers of invincibility and dipped his body into the water. But, as his mother held Achilles by the heel, his heel was not washed by the water of the magical river. Achilles grew to be a man of war who survived many great battles. But one day, an arrow shot at him lodged into his heel, killing him instantly. Achilles was still remembered as one of the greatest fighters who ever lived.

Modern Day Allusion When someone wants to discuss ones weak characteristic, one will refer to it as the persons Achilles Heel, meaning that he is strong in all areas except for that one tiny spot.

Biblical Allusion Example

As the caves roof collapsed, he was swallowed up like Jonah. Jonah was a biblical figure that was swallowed by a whale and then spit out; this saved his life.

Shakespeare Allusion Example

Love Story Lyrics by Taylor Swift We were both young when I first saw you I close my eyes And the flashback starts I'm standing there On a balcony in summer air See the lights See the party, the ball gowns I see you make your way through the crowd And say hello, little did I know

That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles And my daddy said stay away from Juliet And I was crying on the staircase Begging you please don't go, and I said

Taylor Swifts song is a direct allusion to Shakespeares play, Romeo and Juliet. It is about two young lovers who were prohibited by their parents from seeing each other.

Can you make the connection?

Whats the allusion?

Allusion Answer
The red apple on the cover alludes to the apple from the Garden of Eden in the Bible; it represents evil and its potential.

What is being alluded to?

Choose the correct answer.

A.) Martha Stuarts cleaning habits.
B.) Julia Childs cooking expertise.

C.) Einsteins theory of relativity formula

D.) The wife is telling him he is a square.

Scream Face

Munchs work of art: The Scream

Allusion Analysis Chart

(Copy this chart into your composition notebook.)
Song title and singer Love Story by Taylor Swift Allusion quote You were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles, and my daddy said stay away from Juliet Explanation Swift is directly alluding to Romeo and Juliet young love that was forbidden by their parents.

Allusions in Popular Music

Read the lyrics and listen to the song. Fill in the 3 columns about each song.
Name of Song and Singer Specific quote Explanation of the quote

Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright

I've heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don't really care for music, do you? It goes like this The fourth, the fifth The minor fall, the major lift The baffled king composing Hallelujah Hallelujah (x4) Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you She tied you To a kitchen chair She broke your throne, and she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Hallelujah (x4)

Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright

There are many biblical references in this song: "You saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you" - Bathsheba, who tempted the king to kill her husband so he could have her. "She tied you to her kitchen chair, she broke your throne and she cut your hair" - Delilah, who cut off Sampson's locks that held his superhuman strength.

I Miss You by Blink-182

(I miss you, I miss you) Hello there, the angel from my nightmare The shadow in the background of the morgue The unsuspecting victim of darkness in the valley We can live like Jack and Sally if we want Where you can always find me We'll have Halloween on Christmas And in the night we'll wish this never ends We'll wish this never ends

I Miss You by Blink-182

We can live like Jack and SallyWe'll have Halloween on Christmas The song alludes to the animated movie Nightmare Before Christmas and the two main characters that fall in love, Jack Skellington and Sally.

One Thing by One Direction

I've tried playing it cool But when I'm looking at you I can never be brave Cause you make my heart race Shot me out of the sky You're my kryptonite You keep making me weak Yeah, frozen and can't breathe Some things gotta give now Cause I'm dying just to make you see That I need you here with me now Cause you've got that one thing

So get out, get out, get out of my head And fall into my arms instead I don't, I don't, don't know what it is But I need that one thing And you've got that one thing

One Thing by One Direction

You're my kryptonite. You keep making me weak, yeah, frozen and can't breathe. This is an allusion to Superman, whose weakness is kryptonite it makes him paralyzed and weak, similar to a crush making you paralyzed and nervous.

Hercules by Sara Bareilles

I miss the days my mind would just rest quiet My imagination hadn't turned on me yet I used to let my words wax poetic But it melted a puddle at my feet now It is a calcifying crime, it's tragic I've turned to petrified past life baggage I want to disappear and just start over So here we are And I'll breathe again

'Cause I have sent for a warrior From on my knees, make me a Hercules I was meant to be a warrior please Make me a Hercules

Hercules by Sara Bareilles

I was meant to be a warrior please, Make me a Hercules She wants to become strong enough to get over her problems from the past.