Allusion

Allusion [əˈluːʒən]

Definition

“Allusion, in literature, an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text. Most allusions are based on the assumption that there is a body of knowledge that is shared by the author and the reader and that therefore the reader will understand the author’s referent.” The word allusion comes from the late Latin allusio meaning “a play on words” or “game”.

(“Allusion”).

Literary allusion - authors, playwrights, and poets alike use allusion in their works to develop characters or provide context. Here are a few examples:

Fahrenheit 451 - author Ray Bradbury, he writes, “He was eating a light supper at nine in the evening when the front door cried out in the hall and Mildred ran from the parlor like a native fleeing an eruption of Vesuvius.” This allusion is to Italy’s Mount Vesuvius, a volcano that erupted in 79 A.D., burying the Roman city of Pompeii. Bradbury is communicating that Mildred left the parlor in a panicked hurry.

“Nothing Gold Can Stay”: Robert Frost references paradise and mankind’s fall from grace in his poem: “Nature’s first green is gold, / Her hardest hue to hold. / Her early leaf’s a flower; / But only so an hour. / Then leaf subsides to leaf. / So Eden sank to grief, / So dawn goes down to day. / Nothing gold can stay.” This is a biblical allusion to the idyllic garden of Eden and the events which culminated in God driving Adam and Eve out of paradise. The author seems to draw a parallel between the biblical story and the passage of time, describing both things perhaps as inevitable.

Romeo and Juliet: In Act 1, Scene 4 of William Shakespeare’s play about star-crossed lovers, the character Benvolio says, “We’ll have no Cupid hoodwinked with a scarf,” referring to the Roman god of romantic love. He is describing a scenario in which love is figuratively blind, as well as playing with the idea of someone being literally unable to see due to wearing a blindfold.

(“Definition and Examples of Literary Terms“)

Other types of allusion

Except for literary allusion, there are a variety of different forms, depending on the type of thing the allusion is referring to. Historical – to a historical event or period (e.g. “He was a Nero” = infamous Roman emperor). Mythological – to a mythological figure or story (e.g. “She ran faster than Hermes.” = the messenger of the Greek gods). Religious – to a religious text, story, or figure (e.g. Reflecting on her cruel behaviour, Cinderella’s stepmother stood still like a pillar of salt.” Lot’s wife.

(“Literary Techniques:”)

Allusion in everyday speech – there are some more examples:

„Chocolate was her Achilles’ heel.“   „We’ve got an Einstein over here.“

„Don’t open Pandora’s box.“            „I’ve been struck by Cupid.“ ( Cupid = the Roman name for                                                                   the god of love. In myth, also known as Eros in Greek mythology)

(“Examples of allusion: Clever figures of speech.”)

Works cited:

“Allusion”. Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., net.18 Oct. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/art/allusion

“Literary Techniques:” Matrix English Team, 20 Oct. 2023, net. https://www.matrix.edu.au/literary-techniques-allusion/#types-of-allusion

Allysa of Serani, M.A. “Examples of allusion: Clever figures of speech.” YourDictionary, net.,  20 Oct. 2023, https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/examples-allusion-literary

“Definition and Examples of Literary Terms“, LiteraryDevices.net. 21 Oct. 2023, https://literarydevices.net/allusion/?utm_content=cmp-true

Author of the page: Kristýna Drasalová