ALLUSIONS

Allusions
• - Allusion is a figure of speech that references a person, place, thing, or
event. Each of this concepts can be real or imaginary, referring to anything
from fiction, to folklore, to historical events and religious manuscripts.
• - These references ca be direct or indirect, but they will often broaden the
reader’s understanding.
- Allusions are an artful way of telling a story. They allow the writer to avoid bland tones and
common, obvious statements. Instead, a little bread crumb can be dropped in an allusion
and the reader can exercise their minds trying to figure out the author’s intent.
- Since they ask the reader to engage in a little “ outside the box “ thinking, it’s often a good
way to reinforce the message or theme of a work. By the same token, these rhetorical
devices allow the writer to offer an example or convey a message without going into a
lengthy discourse.
For example :

A woman might say to her husband, “Thanks, Romeo”, after he’s offered some type of
romantic gesture. Traditionally, Romeo ( from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet ) is looked upon
as one of the most romantic fictional characters in history. In this example, the wife would
have succeeded in telling her husband he’s wonderful, simply by alluding to this fictional
romantic man.
Example of allusions used in everyday life :

• - “Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her” – Romeo is a reference to

Shakespeare’s Romeo, a passionate lover of Juliet.
• - “The rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora’s box of crimes” – This is an
allusion to one of Greek Mythology’s origin myth, “Pandora’s box”.
• - “This place is like the garden of Eden” – This is a biblical allusion to the
“garden of God” in the book of Genesis.
• - “Hey! Guess who’s the new Newton of our school is ?” – “Newton” means
a genius student, alludes to a famous scientist Isaac Newton.
 Examples of allusions used in poems :

• 1. His opponent was looking for his Achilles’ heel to beat him – “Achilles’
heel” means weakness.
• 2. His best friend now considered him Brutus due to his recent betrayal. –
“Brutus” is one of the toughest traitor of society along with Judas.
• 3. Blakes’s fellow students call him Einstein for his genius. – “Einstein” is a
famous scientist Albert Einstein.
• 4. The ship sank like a Titanic – allure to the movie Titanic.
 Examples of allusion used in songs:

• My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion

“ once more you open door
And you’re here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on”
This song ss