Allusion Definition

Allusion Definition: a reference in a work to a well-known piece of literature, art, person, or event

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Literary Allusions

Allusions are used in literature to enhance meaning by accessing a reader’s prior knowledge of commonly known events, people, or works of art. A reference to one of these things can create several layers of meaning and enhance themes, without the author having to explicitly explain them to the reader. An allusion can also reference a world outside of the actual work, without having to create that world or scenario within the work. An allusion can also be used to simplify a complex concept or scenario, by making a passing reference for the reader to connect to a well-known person or event, and thus create an understanding or emotion that does not have to be explained. The title of the novel The Fault in Our Stars, for example, alludes to Cassius speech to Brutus in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, in which he shows Brutus that fate has not controlled Caesar’s rise to power; instead, they are in charge of their own fates, and have allowed Caesar to gain too much power, putting Rome at risk. This parallels Hazel’s journey to acceptance over Augustus’ death and her own battle with cancer. While cancer and death are inevitable things in life, she gets to choose who hurts her, and she is happy with her choice, as Augustus was with his own.

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Allusion Examples in Literature

• The Fault in Our Stars: the title refers to a line from The Tragedy of Julius Caesar


• The Grapes of Wrath: the title refers to a line from “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”


• The Wednesday Wars: makes several allusions to Shakespeare’s plays


• “I Have A Dream”: the first line alludes to Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”


• “Ode to A Grecian Urn”: makes several references to famous mythological Greek places, including the Vale of Tempe and the dales of Arcady


• “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”: makes several historical references, including the beheading of John the Baptist, and it opens with a line from Dante’s Inferno


• The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet: makes several references to classical figures, including Cupid/Eros, Echo and Narcissus, Petrarch and Laura, Dido, Cleopatra, and others


• A Raisin in the Sun: the title refers to a line from “A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes