Allusions

Allusions

"KOBE!"

Why might a student say this as he or she is throwing away a paper ball?

Why would a student specifically say "Kobe?"

"COVID!"

Someone says under his breath as he observes a woman cough at the grocery store.

Why would someone say that?

Both slides stated words that reference something or someone.

"Kobe" is a phrase that references famous basketball player, Kobe Bryant, and his skilled shooting form.

"COVID" is a phrase that references the Coronavirus, which has killed thousands of people, and is recognized for its symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

When a person is using a figure of speech to reference something without stating a definition outright, they are using an ALLUSION.

Multiple Choice

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING!

What is the key word in the definition of ALLUSION?

• Figure of Speech

• Reference

• Allusion

• Key Words

Allusions

Think of Allusions as inside jokes. You have to understand the reference to really understand what it might mean in a sentence.

There are many types of Allusions

• Historical - Referencing history

• Cultural - Referencing movies, music, and memories from a time period

• Shakespearean - Referencing plays and main characters within the plays written by William Shakespeare.

• Mythological - Referencing events, stories, or names from Greek myths and legends.

• Biblical - Referencing people and events from the Bible

• Literary - Referencing characters, events, or settings from classic literature (a select group of books that are seen as being above the rest).

An allusion can be a reference to anything, but in literature, the most common sources are...

• The Bible

• Shakespeare.

Examples

• His smile is like kryptonite to me. (Superman)

• She felt like she had a golden ticket. (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)

• I feel like I just tumbled down the rabbit hole. (Alice in Wonderland)

• This guy is young, scrappy, and hungry. (Hamilton)

• I wish I could be like Dorothy and click my heels to get out of here. (Wizard of Oz)

• My boss Jedi mind tricked me into working an extra shift. (Star Wars)

• I've got English class with he who must not be named. (Harry Potter)

Steps to Conquering Allusion:

1. Look up the word you don't know (it's generally capitalized as a proper noun).

2. Decide what type of Allusion it is based on the previous list.

3. Explain the meaning of the Allusions

Multiple Choice

The comic book superhero Spider-Man possesses a Spidey sense that warns him of trouble that's coming his way.

What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?

Luther picked up his pace on the trail as his Spidey sense began to tingle.

• sense of smell

• sense of danger

• sense of wonder

• sense of pride

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not an example of an allusion?

• his wife was his Achille's heel

• he lies so much, I'm surprised his nose doesn't grow like Pinnochio's

• she transformed her backyard to look like the Garden of Eden.

• we'll miss him so much because he was the best dog ever.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is true about allusions?

• allusions are written in quotation marks

• allusions are always started as a comparison, as in 'He was as strong as Hercules.'

• allusions are indicated references that may sometimes be obvious and sometimes obscure

• all of the above

Multiple Choice

Holy Grail 

• paradise; an unspoiled idyllic, peaceful place
• The object of an extended or difficult quest.
• an experience or a place of intense mental suffering.
• an inspired sign which clearly shows the way

Multiple Choice

Good Samaritan 

• you should feel responsibility for the well-being of your fellow man
• an underdog opposing and defeating a giant
• somebody with a seemingly infinite store of patience
• one who selflessly assists another, especially  a stranger in trouble.

Multiple Choice

Where are the most common allusions in literature found?

• Bible and Shakespeare

• Pop Culture and the Bible

• Historical and the Bible

• Historical and Shakespeare