Download Allusion An ​allusion​ is when a person or author makes an

Allusion
An ​allusion​ is when a person or author makes an indirect reference in speech,
text, or song to an event or figure. Often the ​allusions​ made are to past events
or figures, but sometimes allusions are made to current famous people or
events.
The ​allusion​ does not give much detail about the reference-it does not describe
things in detail. Rather, because these events are momentous-significant
historically, culturally, or politically-the speaker or author expects that people in
general would understand the allusion without explanation.
Allusions​ are often used within a ​metaphor​ or ​simile​. The comparison alludes
to an event or person of significance that everyone should understand.
Allusions​ often make reference to previous works of literature, especially
references to the Bible and Greek or Roman mythology.
Examples of Allusion:
Examples of Allusions:
1. Your backyard is a ​Garden of Eden​. (Biblical allusion)
2. I guess I should see this message about a new job as my ​burning bush.​
(Biblical Allusion)
3. When you feel betrayed by a friend, you can say, "You too, ​Brutus​?" (allusion
to Julius Caesar-Brutus betrayed Caesar)
4. You're a regular ​Einstein​. (allusion to a historical figure)
5. When your parents learn about your new plan to raise money, it's going to
sink like the ​Titanic.​ (allusion to a historical event)
6. You are ​carrying the weight of the world​ on your shoulders. (reference to
Atlas in myth)
7. That man is so ​narcissistic​. (reference to Narcissus in mythology)
8. Don't be a ​Scrooge​! (reference to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens)
9. Potato chips are my diet's A
​ chilles heel​. (reference to Achilles in mythology)
10. Many states have laws that protect ​Good Samaritans​. (reference to the
Bible)
Greek
● Achilles’ heel​ –weakness a person may have. Achilles was
invulnerable except for his heel (achilles tendon).
● Adonis ​– handsome younger man; Aphrodite loved him.
● Cassandra ​– a person who continually predicts misfortune but often is
not believed; from Greece
● Harpy​ – a predatory person or nagging woman; from harpy, a foul
creature that was part woman, part bird
● Helen ​– ​symbol​ of a beautiful woman; from Helen of Troy.
● Muse​ – some creature of inspiration; the daughters of Mnemosyne and
Zeus, divine singers that presided over thought in all its forms
● Narcissism​ – being in love with our own self-image; named for
Narcissus, a handsome young man who despised love but fell in love
with himself instead.
● Odyssey​ – a long journey; named for Odysseus, the character in The
Odyssey, by Homer. Odysseus makes his long journey back from the
Trojan War.
● Pandora’s Box​ – Something that opens the door for bad occurrences,
opened by someone known for curiosity; named for Pandora who
opened a box of human ills.
● Phoenix​ – a symbol of immortality or rebirth; named after a long bird
that consumed itself in fire, rising renewed from the flame to start
another long life.
● Psyche​ – the human soul, self, the mind; named after Psyche, a
maiden who, after undergoing many hardships reunited with her love.
● Titanic​ – grand and enormous; after Tityus, the son of Zeus and Elara
whose body covered nearly two acres.
● Volcanoes​ – originated from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.
Literature
● Cinderella​ – one who gains affluence or recognition after being treated
poorly.
● Frankenstein​ – Anything that threatens or destroys its creator; from
Mary Shelley’s novel.
● Jekyll and Hyde​ – A capricious person with two sides to his
personality. From the novel of the same name.
● Scrooge​ – a bitter and/or greedy person; from Charles ​Dickens​’ ​A
Christmas Carol.
Biblical Allusions
● Daniel​ – one known for wisdom and accurate judgment.
● David and Bathsheba​ – represents a big sin; from King David’s affair
with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah.
● Eye of the Needle​ – A very difficult task; from famous narrow gateway
called “the needle.”
● Goliath​ – a large person; from the giant from the Philistine city of Gath,
slain by David.
● Ishmael ​– one who is cast out as being unworthy.
● Job​– who who suffers a great deal but remains faithful.
● Jonah​ – one who brings bad luck.
● Judas ​– a traitor
● Original Sin​– the idea that all men are innately sinful as a result of
Adam and Eve’s fall.
● Prodigal Son​ – a wasteful son who disappoints his father.
● Samson and Delilah​ – Treacherous love story.
● Scapegoat​ – one that is made an object of blame for others
● Solomon​ – an extremely wise person.
Historical Allusions
● Attila​ – barbarian, rough leader; King of the Huns from 433-453.
● Berserk –​ destructively or frenetically violent, from mental upset.
● Boycott​ – to act together in abstaining from using a specific item. From
Charles C. Boycott who refused to charge lower rents and his staff
boycotted.
● Canopy​ – an overhanging protection or shelter, to cover.
● Casanova ​– a man who is amorous to women; based on the Italian
adventurer.
● Chauvinist ​– one who has a militant devotion to and glorification to
country or gender; Nicolas Chauvin.
● El Dorado​ – a place of reputed wealth; from the legendary city in South
America.
● Machiavellian ​– characterized by expedience, deceit and cunning; after
Niccolo Machiavelli.
● McCarthyism​ – modern witch hunt, the practice of publicizing
accusations without ​evidence​; after Joseph McCarthy.
● Nostradamus​ – fortune teller; (1503-66) French physician and
astrologer who wrote a book of rhymed prophecies.
● Stonewall ​– hinder or obstruct by evasive, delaying tactics from
Stonewall Jackson.
● Thespian​ – having to do with the theater or acting; from Thespis, an
attic poet and father of Greek ​tragedy​.
● Uncle Sam​ – government of people of the United States; derived from
Uncle Sam, a business man in the 1900s.