example of allusion in creative writing

Definition of Allusion

An allusion is a reference, typically brief, to a person, place, thing, event, or other literary work with which the reader is presumably familiar. As a literary device, allusion allows a writer to compress a great deal of meaning and significance into a word or phrase . However, allusions are only effective to the extent that they are recognized and understood by the reader, and that they are properly inferred and interpreted by the reader. If an allusion is obscure or misunderstood, it can lose effectiveness by confusing the reader.

For example, in his novel   Ragtime , E.L. Doctorow’s character “Little Boy” tells another character who is going to Europe to “warn the Duke.” This is an allusion to Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination initiated the chain of events leading to World War I. Doctorow’s allusion is effective for readers that recognize and understand the reference, and it underscores the significance for readers of how one action in history can lead to long-term global consequences.

Common Examples of Allusion in Everyday Speech

People often make allusions in everyday conversation, sometimes without the realization that they are doing so and sometimes without knowing the material to which they are alluding. Typically, these allusions are in reference to popular culture, including movies, books, music, public figures, and so on.

Here are some common examples of allusion in everyday speech, along with the source material to which they reference:

• His smile is like kryptonite to me. (Superman’s weakness)
• She felt like she had a golden ticket . (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
• That guy is young, scrappy, and hungry . (Hamilton)
• I wish I could just click my heels . (The Wizard of Oz)
• If I’m not home by midnight, my car might turn into a pumpkin . (Cinderella)
• She smiles like a Cheshire cat . (Alice in Wonderland)
• His job is like pulling a sword out of a stone . (King Arthur Legend )
• Is there an Einstein in your physics class? (Albert Einstein)
• My math teacher is he who must not be named . (Voldemort from the Harry Potter series)
• I want to sound like Queen B . (Beyoncé)
• Today might be the Ides of March . (Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar)
• Now might be a good time to sit in my thinking chair . (Blue’s Clues)
• I have a caped crusader costume. (Batman)
• Does it count if we were on a break ? (Friends)
• I’m listening to the king . (Elvis Presley)

Examples of Allusion to Classical Mythology

Writers often utilize allusion as a literary device for an incidental mention of something or a passing reference to create context . Greek and/or Roman mythology are commonly used as sources for allusions in literature, directly or by implication, due to the familiarity most readers have with classical myths, their stories, and characters.

Here are some examples of allusion to classical mythology:

• Achilles’ heel (alluding to the one weakness of Achilles)
• arrow of love (allusion to Cupid)
• carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders (allusion to Atlas)
• pushing a boulder uphill every day (allusion to Sisyphus)
• hot as Hades (alluding to the god of death/king of the underworld)
• looking like Venus (alluding to the goddess of beauty )
• Herculean effort (alluding to the strength of Hercules)
• opening Pandora’s box (alluding to Pandora’s myth of letting trouble into the world)
• protean form of management (alluding to Proteus who could change his shape)
• can’t stop staring at himself (allusion to Narcissus)

Famous Examples of Biblical Allusion

The Bible is another frequently referenced source for writers utilizing allusion as a literary device. Here are some famous examples of Biblical allusion :

• garden (Eden, creation)
• Snake (serpent, Satan)
• flood (Noah’s Ark)
• apple/fruit (tree of knowledge, temptation)
• Cross (Christ, crucifixion)
• great patience (Job)
• fraternal competition (Cain and Abel)
• betrayal (Judas)
• generosity/philanthropy (Good Samaritan)
• slingshot/stone (David and Goliath)

Writing Allusion

Allusion is a very effective literary device in all forms of literature. Writers can use allusions for character development by associating them with other well-known and familiar characters or archetypes . Literary allusions can also provide context for the reader through comparison or contrast to another literary work. In addition, allusion can provide exposition for a story by referring to the plot and/or character of another work that helps the reader understand more about the story’s events or character motivations .

When creating allusions in a literary work, writers must balance what they choose to reference and how to incorporate it into their work so it is understandable and meaningful for the reader. Here are some common types of allusion for a writer to consider when using this literary device:

• self reference–when a writer references another work of their own
• single reference–when a writer connects their work to another through allusion
• causal reference–when an allusion is made but it is not essential to the story
• corrective reference–when a writer references another work that is in opposition by comparison
• apparent reference–when a writer alludes to a specific source but in a challenging way
• multiple references–when a writer uses a variety of allusions

Types of Literary Allusion

• Casual Allusion: It is not an integral part of the story. It just occurs when a character feels something or sees something and recalls the persona or the happening that matches it.
• Single Allusion: It means that allusion given, or the reference given is just about that single person or happening and that readers and the audiences should also infer the same. There are no further connotations in such allusions. In other words, it has a single meaning.
• Self-Reference: When a writer refers to his own work or his own personality in his different works, it is called self-reference or even self-allusion.
• Corrective Allusion: Such allusions correct or seem to correct the original source to which the allusion alludes to. Although such allusions are not always meant for correction, sometimes they are considered to have corrective usage.
• Apparent Reference: These types of allusions are clear and specific and the writers do not use them without specific knowledge of the source, though, sometimes they also challenge the very source.
• Multiple Allusions or Conflation: Sometimes writers use several allusions in a single tradition that is prevalent in cultural traditions.

Allusion Vs. Analogy

Analogy and allusions are entirely different from each other. An analogy is a comparison between two things, objects , persons, or situations. It is based on some aspects of resemblances in both objects and things. On the other hand, an allusion is just a reference to something, or some person, or some situation. This does not mean that that they should have some resemblance. In fact, they seem to be the same thing; just an allusion points to the actual thing to which the reference has been made.

Using Allusion in Sentences

• He seems to be a Cupid during his love affair with the girl even if it was on the stage.
• My Friend is the Shakespeare of this school, for he has worked very hard on his plays.
• He has traveled so much and removed so many obstacles from his voyages, he seems a new Columbus.
• Most of the time Muslims recall the Ottoman Empire just to satisfy themselves as they have no such a powerful state now .
• Seething with shame and anger, he recalls his old days as if he has lived in paradise in Sweden.

Examples of Allusion in Literature

As a literary device, allusion is used for a context in a literary work through reference to a well-known or familiar person, place, event, or other work of literature. In this way, allusions help develop a relationship between a writer’s creation and its association with something else that the reader would recognize. This is effective in developing characters. creating settings , and contextualizing a story. Most literary allusions are not directly explained to the reader but instead rely on the reader’s inferential ability.

Here are some examples of allusion in well-known literary works:

Example 1: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Here is the house it is green and white it has a red door it is very pretty here is the family mother father dick and jane live in the green-and-white house they are very happy see jane she has a red dress she wants to play who will play with jane see the cat it goes meow-meow come and play come play with jane the kitten will not play see mother mother is very nice mother will you play with jane mother laughs laugh mother laugh see father he is big and strong father will you play with jane father is smiling smile father smile see the dog bowwow goes the dog do you want to play do you want to play with jane see the dog run run dog run look look here comes a friend the friend will play with jane they will play a good game play jane play

In her novel, Morrison alludes to the familiar wording of the reading primer series  Dick and Jane , used as part of educational curricula from the 1930s to the 1970s. The series featured simple, repetitive wording and pictured a white, middle-class family made up of a boy, girl, mother, father, dog, and a cat living in an idyllic American neighborhood. In this passage, Pecola’s character challenges the language, intention, and aesthetic of the Dick and Jane series by running the words together and making them difficult to understand for the novel’s reader.

This reflects the breakdown and disparity of images in Pecola’s mind between her environment and experience as an African American girl in 1940 Ohio, and the white children in the world of  Dick and Jane . Morrison’s use of allusion to  Dick and Jane as a literary device is effective in that it is widely recognized and understood by readers, and gives meaning to the meaninglessness Pecola finds in the primer’s words.

Example 2: Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost

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 .

In his poem , Frost makes an allusion to the “fall of man” and exile from Paradise by referring to Eden and how it “sank to grief.” This allusion helps to connect the human experience to the poet’s lament about the cycle of life and death, beginning and ending, in nature. The allusion to Eden also provides an interesting context to the poem, in that the reader can infer that the fall of man was a natural and possibly inevitable occurrence, adding to the appreciation of life in its temporary existence.

Example 3: As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

While I waited for him in the woods, waiting for him before he saw me, I would think of him as dressed in sin. I would think of him as thinking of me as dressed also in sin, he the more beautiful since the garment which he had exchanged for sin was sanctified. I would think of the sin as garments which we would remove in order to shape and coerce the terrible blood to the forlorn echo of the dead word high in the air.

Faulkner’s novel relies heavily on the reader’s ability to deduce and infer plot elements and character motivations. This is particularly true with Addie Bundren’s character, as she is limited to narrating one chapter through death. In this passage, Addie remembers her adulterous affair with Reverent Whitfield that produced her son, Jewel. This passage is an allusion to Nathaniel Hawthorne ’s literary work The Scarlet Letter in which Hester Prynne conceived a child through her affair with Reverend Dimmesdale.

Faulkner’s use of this allusion helps contextualize Addie’s character, her relationship with Jewel, and the fractured structure of her family. However, Faulkner is relying on the reader to catch this brief allusion to Hawthorne’s work, infer its significance and meaning, and apply that to his own novel. If the reader misses or misinterprets Faulkner’s subtle allusion, then it is ineffective and without meaning.

Example 4: I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King

Five score years ago…

Although Martin Luther King has used several allusions in his speech, “I Have a Dream ,” one of the best is “Five scores ago…”. This allusion has been used to echo Abraham Lincoln. He used this phrase during his address at Gettysburg saying, “Four score…” When Martin Luther King uses this phrase, the reference to that allusion is unmistaken. Therefore, his argument is also unmistakable in that it connects to the same issues that Lincoln raised and resolved several decades back.

Example 5: The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe

Edgar Allen Poe has used several allusions in his poem, The Raven . These include Pallas and Night ’s Plutonian that shows the use of Roman and Greek myths. The second allusion reminds the Roman god that controls the underworld. As it alludes to death, Raven is also associated with death through this reference. The reference to Pallas also points to the wisdom of the goddess in Greek mythology.

Example 6: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

We’ll have no Cupid hoodwinked with a scarf. (Act 1, Scene 4) You are a lover. Borrow Cupid’s wings. (Act 1, Scene 4) Oh, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you. (Act 1, Scene 4)

These lines from Romeo and Juliet show the use of several allusions such as Cupid, Queen Mab, and English folklore . Almost all of them are associated with love, hate, and chivalry.

Synonyms of Allusion

The following synonyms are closest to allusion: inference , a clue, a cue, a hint, an inkling, a whiff, a sing, or even a signal. There are some other synonyms, but their meanings slightly differ such as mention, suggestion, lead, or intimation.

Related posts:

• Romeo and Juliet Allusion
• Difference between Allusion and Illusion
• Examples of Historical Allusion
• A Huge List of Famous Allusions
• Examples of Biblical Allusion
• 10 Beautiful Allusions in Poetry
• 10 Unforgettable Allusions in 90s Music
• Hamlet Act-I, Scene-I Study Guide
• Ships That Pass in the Night
• The Quality of Mercy is Not Strain’d
• Raining Cats and Dogs

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50 examples of allusion.

• My Mom has a Spartan workout routine.
• Keith was speeding down the empty road in his Mustang and listening to “ Smells Like Teen Spirit ” on the radio.
• This was our Declaration of Independence and if Mom didn’t let us go to that concert, she would be our King George III .
• Some people are calling me the Tiger Woods of miniature golf.
• Don’t go thinking you’re Robin Hood just cause you took an extra peppermint from the candy jar.
• You don’t have to be Albert Einstein to understand poetry.
• She thinks that she loves me, and Christopher Columbus thought he was in India.
• Don’t wear an Abraham Lincoln hat on your first date.
• We do serious work in my classroom. It isn’t the Mickey Mouse Club over here.
• Look, I’m no Mother Teresa . I’ve made my mistakes, but I’m trying.
• Come. Be the Cleopatra to my Mark Antony .
• As I walked through the graveyard, Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9” played in my head.
• Did you think that you were at Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show when you met my parents?
• When Donna got her income tax refund check in the mail, she was so happy that she did the Moonwalk .
• Plutarch was good, and so was Homer too. if Shakespeare could write, than so can you.
• Well, I’m no Hercules , but I could open that jelly jar for you.
• Why does Cap’n Crunch always wear that Napoleon hat?
• Why should I read “ Hamlet ” or study the Battle of Hamburger Hill when the world is happening outside my window?
• She reminded me of the mother Mary in her grace.
• You don’t have to be William Shakespeare to write poetry.
• If you keep pushing me, I’m going to turn into the Incredible Hulk on you.
• My sister’s house is not the Ritz-Carlton , but it is warm and dry.
• Just because someone has different political views than you doesn’t make them Adolph Hitler .
• We were listening to “ Here Comes the Sun ” by The Beatles , right when it started raining.
• He gets one three point shot in gym class and now he thinks that he’s Steph Curry .
• Just as I sat down to cry, a Bob Marley song came on the radio, and I decided to dance instead.
• What if George Washington really did tell lies? Who would know?
• Omar was walking down the block, whistling “ The Farmer in the Dell .”
• Our city needs a real-life Batman .
• You don’t have to be Michelangelo to copy and paste images of Michelangelo’s artwork.
• My mom tried to get me to watch a movie called Mona Lisa Smile .
• I want to grow those big fat Elvis sideburns.
• When we saw my cousin in his army uniform, we all started calling him G.I. Joe .
• I’ll be your Romeo if you’ll be my Juliet .
• Kelly couldn’t help but to notice that the new boy was reading Lord of the Flies during study hall.
• He’s a nice guy, Janie, if you can get past his Krusty the Clown haircut.
• He took command of his home like he was Caesar in Rome.
• Janice was listening to “ Single Ladies ” by Beyonce and putting on her makeup.
• I might have to do my flying Bruce Lee kick if you keep playing with me.
• That’s the kind of beard that Teen Wolf would grow.
• Don’t wear those big red Ironman boots to the party.
• The boy on the horse whistled “ Yankee Doodle ” on his way to town.
• She’s going to do her Marilyn Monroe thing over the vent.
• Chrissy has a Lion King poster in her room.
• Instead of going to the party, Kara stayed home and read The Hunger Games .
• My uncle was watching The Godfather and smoking a cigar.
• She was reading a book of poems by Emily Dickinson and listening to the sounds of nature.
• As Thomas chased after the bus, he felt like he was Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings .
• I’ve got the speed and power of a young Mike Tyson .
• Go ahead, ask me anything. I’m like Google over here.

thank you for posting

Please curate your posts. So many of these are just literal statements, like “Kara stayed home and read The Hunger Games.”

There are some good examples of allusion, but others are not. For example, “Janice was listening to “Single Ladies” by Beyonce and putting on her makeup.” is NOT an allusion. An allusion is a literary, cultural, mythological, or historical reference that is not explained in the text in which it appears. The writer assumes that readers will understand the reference. In the above example, there is no reference to understand. Janice is listening to a song. The song is titled Single Ladies. Beyonce sings the song.

Thank you for posting this. I was just about to write the exact same thing.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 11 allusion examples in literature, poetry, and life.

General Education

Literary devices are often used to enhance one's writing and make it more appealing or interesting to the reader. One popular literary device is the allusion. What does an allusion in poetry look like? And what are some allusion examples in literature?

In this article, we'll be giving you 11 allusion examples, from those in poetry and literature to ones often used in everyday conversation . We'll also go over two tips for identifying allusions in a text. But first, what is allusion exactly?

What Is Allusion?

An allusion is when an author or poet makes an indirect reference to some idea, figure, other text, place, or event that originates from outside the text. It could also refer to something that happens earlier in the text; this is often called an "internal allusion" (as opposed to a regular, or "external," allusion).

The verb form of the noun "allusion" is "allude," so you could state that a writer "alludes to" or "makes an allusion to" something. For instance, it's particularly common for writers from the West to make allusions in their works to the Bible and Greek or Roman mythology.

Allusions are subtle and indirect, hinting at something you're expected to know without explicitly telling you what it is .

The literary device is used to enhance the text, often by making it more relatable to the reader or by illustrating either an example or the text's overarching theme. Allusions are commonly used metaphorically but can also be used ironically.

Furthermore, because they can convey a ton of information in just one or a few words (assuming that the reader understands the allusion!), they are particularly popular among poets.

It's important that you do not confuse allusions with other (similar) literary devices . The following table gives an overview of the differences between allusions, allegories, and foreshadowing, all of which are common tools used in literature:

Now that you know what an allusion is, let's take a look at some allusion examples .

11 Allusion Examples + Analysis

Here, we're giving you 11 allusion examples from poetry, literature, and everyday speech so that you can get a better sense of what allusions look like and how they're used. We also provide you with a short analysis of each allusion example.

Here are the three types of allusions we'll be covering:

Allusion Examples in Poetry

Allusion examples in literature, allusion examples in everyday speech.

What does an allusion in poetry look like? How does an allusion in poetry work?

The following allusion examples all come from famous poems and should give you an idea of the different types of allusions—from historical to Biblical to literary—you, too, can make.

" All Overgrown by Cunning Moss " by Emily Dickinson

All overgrown by cunning moss, All interspersed with weed, The little cage of "Currer Bell" In quiet "Haworth" laid.

In this poem, famed American poet Emily Dickinson makes an allusion to Currer Bell, which was the pen name for English author Charlotte Brontë , who is most famous for her novel Jane Eyre . Dickinson also alludes to the English village of Haworth, where Brontë died and was later buried (or "laid," as the poem states).

The quotation marks hint to the reader that these two things (i.e., the name and the place) didn't merely come out of Dickinson's imagination. Still, you'd have to be familiar with Brontë herself to be able to make the connection here.

" Nothing Gold Can Stay " (1923) by Robert Frost

Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.

Here, iconic American poet Robert Frost makes an allusion to the Biblical Garden of Eden ("so Eden sank to grief") to strengthen this idea that nothing—not even Paradise—can last forever.

Assuming you're at least a little familiar with the story of Adam and Eve, you should know that the two of them were ultimately expelled from Paradise due to their eating of the forbidden fruit.

" The Waste Land " (1922) by T. S. Eliot

April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain.

T. S. Eliot's well regarded poem "The Waste Land" is filled to the brim with literary allusions, many of which are fairly obscure .

Immediately in this poem, Eliot thrusts an allusion at us: the mention of April being "the cruellest month" sharply contrasts with the opening of medieval English poet Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales , which describes April as a cheerful, lively month filled with stories, pilgrimages, and "sweet-smelling showers." To Eliot, April is exceptionally cruel because of the pain associated with the regeneration of life.

Being unaware of this literary connection here would make you miss the almost sarcastic play on words Eliot does with his antithetical view of April and spring as a whole.

It's popular to use allusion in poetry, but what about in (prose) literature, such as novels? Let's look at some famous allusion examples in literature to show how this device can be used effectively.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) by Harper Lee

"Are we poor, Atticus?" Atticus nodded. "We are indeed." Jem's nose wrinkled. "Are we as poor as the Cunninghams?" "Not exactly. The Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them hardest."

This quotation from Harper Lee's renowned novel To Kill a Mockingbird contains an allusion to the "crash," that is, the Stock Market Crash of 1929, which resulted in the Great Depression .

The word "crash" alone could confuse readers who are unaware of the historical event or who do not understand when and where the novel takes place (answer: 1930s America, so right smack in the middle of the Great Depression).

The Outsiders (1967) by S. E. Hinton

"Ponyboy." I barely heard him. I came closer and leaned over to hear what he was going to say. "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold ... " The pillow seemed to sink a little, and Johnny died.

The line "Stay gold, Ponyboy" from S. E. Hinton's classic coming-of-age story is an example of both external and internal allusion .

Earlier on in the novel, Ponyboy and Johnny talk about Robert Frost's famous poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" (see above). In other words, this scene has a direct reference to a real poem that originated from outside the novel .

When Johnny later tells Ponyboy to "stay gold" as he lay dying, this is both an external allusion (in that it refers to the poem by Frost) and an internal allusion (in that it alludes to the boys' previous discussion and analysis of the poem).

1Q84 (2009) by Haruki Murakami

The allusion here isn't a specific quotation but rather the title of 2009 bestselling novel 1Q84 by Japanese author Haruki Murakami.

While English speakers might not see the connection right away, the title of this dystopian novel is an allusion to George Orwell's 1984 . How? You see, in Japanese, the letter "Q" is pronounced the same way as the number nine, making the title sound as if you're saying "1984" or "one nine eight four" in Japanese.

Indeed, Murakami is well known for his allusions and references to Western pop culture , which is likely one of the reasons he has developed into an international sensation.

People use allusions every day, often without even realizing it. Here are some allusion examples you might've heard (or even said yourself!) in everyday conversation.

"Chocolate cake is my Achilles heel."

The allusion here is to "Achilles' heel," or the Greek myth about the hero Achilles and how his heel was his one weakness. In this case, the speaker's "weakness" is chocolate cake .

"He's a cool guy, but he becomes a lovesick Romeo every time he's around her."

This quotation alludes to the character of Romeo from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet , wherein Romeo is head-over-heels in love with Juliet, causing him (and her) to act impetuously.

"We got a new Einstein in school today."

This allusion is to the real-life genius physicist Albert Einstein and means that the new student is extremely smart .

"Why are you always such a Scrooge? It doesn't cost much, and it'll be fun!"

This quotation makes an allusion to Ebenezer Scrooge , the central character in Charles Dickens' famous tale A Christmas Carol . Scrooge is known for being a selfish, curmudgeonly penny-pincher; therefore, calling someone a Scrooge is essentially calling them a cheapskate and a grouch .

"She's a good swimmer, but she's no Ariel."

This allusion is to the fairy tale (and famous Disney movie) "The Little Mermaid" about a mermaid named Ariel. Referring to someone as "no Ariel" implies that they're not as natural in the water as a mermaid would be .

2 Tips for Identifying a Literary Allusion in a Text

You likely noticed that some of the allusion examples we showed you weren't as obvious as others. It can be difficult to figure out whether what you're looking at is a literary allusion or not. Here, we give you two tips for identifying allusions in texts.

#1: Get Familiar With Common Allusions

Many writers use the same (or very similar) allusions in their texts. Therefore, if you can familiarize yourself with the major people, places, events, objects, and ideas that are alluded to in stories and poetry, you'll be better equipped to identify them right away.

As mentioned before, Biblical allusions, as well as allusions to Greek and Roman mythology, are common in Western texts. Here are some allusion examples to know in these categories:

• Hercules (or Herculean) — Often used to emphasize strength
• Pandora's Box — Describes big (and usually unexpected) consequences or a possible source of trouble
• Cupid — God of love; used to describe someone romantic or in love
• Garden of Eden — Used to discuss paradise, beauty, and/or downfall
• Noah/Noah's Ark — Used to talk about big or nearly impossible tasks
• David and Goliath — Describes a battle or face-off between two in which the weaker one, or underdog, might actually have a better shot at winning
• Tower of Babel — Often used to describe the crumbling or tragic end of something

For more examples of Greek and Roman mythological allusions, check out this list on StudyLib . For more examples of Biblical allusions, look at this list on Infoplease .

#2: Look For Proper Nouns That Don't Fit With the Rest of the Text

Most allusions are connected to specific people, places, or pieces of art—in other words, all things that generally have proper nouns (i.e., capitalized names) .

If you ever come across a proper noun in a book or poem that doesn't immediately ring a bell (and isn't mentioned again later on, meaning it's not a new character), then it's most likely an allusion to something originating from outside the world of the text.

What's Next?

Want to learn other common literary devices? We've got an extensive list of the 31 most useful literary devices to know , along with examples and explanations.

We also offer individual guides on helpful literary devices. Read all about personification , tone words , imagery , and similes vs metaphors .

If you're studying (or writing your own!) poetry , then you'll definitely want to know these major poetic devices and how they work .

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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Allusion Examples and Why You Need Allusion in Your Writing

Allusion can be a powerful way to connect to your readers, whether you are writing fiction, news editorial pieces, or poetry. Here are some famous examples of allusion and how you can use this stylistic literary device in your writing.

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Allusion is a powerful writing technique that can help you connect with your audience. L Today we’ll share some powerful examples of allusion and give you some tips and techniques to use allusion to better connect with your audience.

What is Allusion?

Allusion is an implied or indirect reference to a person, place, event, or circumstance in your writing. With allusion, you don’t ever specifically say what the reference may be. Instead, you hint or suggest at what you may be referencing.

When we use allusion in our writing, we may hint at something or casually mention something, but we never go into details or specifics. Instead, we leave it up to the readers to make a connection to the implied reference.

Here is The Definition of Allusion:

allusion: an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.

Some of the synonyms for allusion are: to reference, mention of, suggestion of, remark on, hint to, imitation of, comment about.

The best way to understand this technique is to look at some different examples of allusion.

Common Examples of Allusion

The best way to really understand allusion is to look at different examples of how it is used. This stylistic device has been used as a writing technique in books, news articles, and even speeches.

In fact, one of the most famous examples is a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered at the March on Washington in 1963.

Famous Allusion Example: I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Martin Luther King speech I Have a Dream  begins like this:

“Five-score years ago a great American in whose symbolic shadow we stand today signed the Emancipation Proclamation.”

The use of “Five-Score years ago” in the first sentence alludes to another popular speech by President Abraham Lincoln nearly 100 years earlier.

Lincoln’s speech  The Gettysburg Address  was an important speech during the time of The Civil War and the abolition of slavery.

Here is how the speech by Lincoln begins:

“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

This is a great example. Note how Martin Luther King simply says “Five-score years ago, a great American…” – he does not say “100 years ago, Abraham Lincoln …”

In the speech, it is a reference to Lincoln, but does not directly say this. This use of this technique makes the speech all that much more powerful.

Christmas Allusion Examples

Have you ever called someone a Grinch ? Or perhaps said, “ Bah, Humbug! ” to mean someone being grumpy about the holiday season? You might even say someone is lacking “Christmas Spirit”. These references come to us from the classic books How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

We don’t say, “You are being a grouch!” – we use allusion when we reference these classic tales of someone who doesn’t like the holiday seasons.

Shakespeare and Allusion

Many people often reference Shakespeare in their writing. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, Romeo was actually courting a different person before falling madly and deeply in love with Juliet. Calling someone a Romeo often suggests they are interested in multiple people or it can mean that they are prone to falling recklessly in love with someone.

Again, what makes this allusion is that we don’t come out and say, “He’s just like Romeo from Shakespeare’s famous play” – we just call someone a Romeo and leave it at that. It’s up to the audience to make the connection.

Character Development Examples That Use Allusion

Another example of ways we see allusion used in writing is through character development . Many characters in modern stories are created in reference to other characters that we’ve already been introduced to.

Disney for example makes the character King Triton in The Little Mermaid closely resemble Poseidon from mythology.

By creating a reference for your characters to a person of history or significance, it’s easier for readers to relate to the character. Readers may already have some familiarity with the character you are referencing to. When you reference another character, it is easier for the reader to associate with the character.

Oftentimes, writers reference biblical or mythological characters. The Bible is a very common work that many writers allude to. One example is the fairy tale Snow White .

Have you ever wondered why the evil queen in Snow White tries to trick Snow White with an apple? This is a Biblical reference to the story of Adam and Eve, where Eve is tricked by the snake in the garden to eat an apple.

Allusion Examples That Use Subtle Suggestion

Of course, not all examples of allusion are as famous or easy to spot. Many times we use this literary device and may not even be aware we are using it!

In everyday situations, we often may allude to something without actually ever saying it. Asking someone “Was traffic bad?” could be an example of indirectly asking why someone is running late.

This can be a very powerful technique when you are writing a novel . In fiction, it is an excellent way to show, not tell in your writing .

If you write any type of mystery or crime thriller novel, allusion may help the audience piece together the story while they read. Indirect references to past or future events in a story can help with foreshadowing and build up suspense.

Why and How to Use Allusion in Your Writing

Allusion has many practical applications. Whether you are writing a novel or writing an editorial news article, there actually are a lot of benefits to using this literary style in your writing!

Here are some of the reasons you might want to use allusion in your writing:

1. Stronger Connection to Your Audience:  When your audience is able to catch a reference you make, they will automatically feel connected to a greater sense of you as a writer, your characters, and even an entire community or culture.

2. It Builds Authority and Trust: When you refer to something indirectly that is common about a certain topic or industry, it can show to your audience that you are knowledgeable and experienced. Being able to suggest different references shows familiarity with a topic.

3. Add Meaning and Symbolism: Using indirect hints in your writing can help give your work added meaning and symbolism. In the Martin Luther King example we shared above, alluding to The Gettysburg Address makes the work all that more powerful.

4. Works for a Variety of Writing Styles: This type of literary device can be used for almost any type of writing style . If you are writing a news opinion piece, allusion can help connect your readers to a greater cause. If you are writing a descriptive essay, the use of allusion can help your readers better visualize the scene. Allusion can also work very well for comedy – many comedic pieces rely on subtle suggestions for the audience to notice.

5. Show, Don’t Tell: One of the biggest pieces of writing advice is “ show, don’t tell “. This means you want to allow your readers to feel and visualize the scene – not tell them exactly what is happening. It takes some practice to master this skill, and writing with allusion is a great way to achieve this.

As you can see, writing with this technique can really have a lot of benefits!

Creative Writing Exercise: Practice Writing With Indirect References

One of the best ways to become a better writer is with creative writing exercises. The more you practice, the easier it is to naturally use these different literary stylistic devices. In fact, you may find yourself using these techniques without even realizing it!

To practice writing, one easy way is to take something you have already written. Go through the piece and start thinking of any associations you may think of while you read. For example, if you are writing a scene about baseball, you could start thinking about different baseball players you could reference: Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, or Hank Aaron.

This is also a great technique to practice when writing poetry. You could easily take many of our 100+  poetry writing prompts and use these as a starting point to practice the art of subtle suggestion and reference in your writing!

What Are Your Thoughts on Using Allusion in Writing?

Have you tried using this technique in your own writing? What famous allusion reference examples in literature have you spotted? Do you have any questions or experiences to share? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

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Allusion Definition

What is an allusion? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas, and they do so in order to layer associations and meanings from these sources onto their own work. Allusions can also occur in media other than literature, such as film, visual arts, or even casual conversation. If you've ever responded to betrayal with a dramatic cry of "Et tu, Brute?" ("You too, Brutus?"), then you've made an allusion—to a famous line from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar .

Some additional key details about allusions:

• Allusions can be direct or indirect, meaning that they might explicitly state the name of the thing they're referring to, or they might hint at it in other, subtler ways.
• Allusions to other works of literature are often harder to identify and understand than allusions to events or people, since they require a reader to have familiarity with the text being referenced.
• Many phrases used in everyday speech are actually allusions to works of literature. For example, the use of "catch 22" to describe a situation with no good outcome alludes to Joseph Heller's Catch-22 . To use "Cassandra" to refer to someone who correctly predicts a bad outcome alludes to Aeschylus's The Orestia. And using "big brother" to refer to governmental surveillance alludes to George Orwell's 1984 .

Allusion Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce allusion: uh- loo -zhun

Understanding Allusions

Imagine if every time someone used the expression "it was a real Cinderella story," they had to retell the entire story of Cinderella to explain exactly what they meant. By using an allusion to a classic fairytale that a majority of people will already know, a speaker can dramatically shorten what could have been a much lengthier explanation. However, in order for an allusion to achieve its intended effect, the person making the allusion needs to make accurate assumptions about what knowledge their audience already has. A few key things factor into whether someone will or won't catch an an allusion included by a writer:

• Cultural or historical familiarity: A reader's ability to understand a given allusion depends strongly on their cultural background. For this reason, it can be particularly difficult to identify and understand allusions in texts that are from different historical periods or other cultures. So an allusion that would have been easy to understand for readers who lived two-hundred years ago in China may be exceedingly difficult for a modern American reader to grasp without the help of an editor's footnote.
• General knowledge: Take the following scene from The Sopranos as an example. In the 28th episode of the HBO series The Sopranos , there's a scene in which Tony Soprano eats a slice of capicola (a type of salami), and the taste of it induces a flashback to a panic attack he had in early childhood. It's a direct allusion to a famous passage from Marcel Proust's canonical book In Search of Lost Time, in which the taste of a madeleine (a type of French tea cookie) sends the narrator down a rabbit hole of early childhood memories.
• Subtlety of the allusion: Even readers who might have the cultural or general knowledge to catch an allusion might not always catch it, based on how subtle the allusion is. The example from The Sopranos, for instance, never explicitly refers to In Search of Lost Time . Rather, it just echoes events from that other work of art, and it doesn't even do so with the same good (it uses capicola rather than a madeleine ). Even someone who knows In Search of Lost Time might have missed this allusion.

In the example above, the scene would still make perfect sense to anyone unfamiliar with Proust's madeleines. But to those "in the know," the fact that this scene parallels such an important moment in French literature has the effect of elevating Tony Soprano to equivalence with distinguished literary figures and heightening the resonance of the flashback.

How Are Allusions and References Different?

There's a lot of confusion, particularly online, about what kinds of references count as allusions, and which are merely references. There are two different ways that people draw a distinction between allusions and references:

• Allusions must be indirect while references are direct. This school of thought holds that an allusion can only be a allusion if it is indirect, in the sense that what is being alluded to is not explicitly named. So people who believe this would say that the example "it was a real Cinderella story" that we gave above shouldn't count as an allusion because it names the thing it's referencing directly. Under this definition, for the previous statement to be an allusion it would have to be something like: "It was a glass-slipper ending" (a reference to Cinderella that doesn't explicitly use the main character's name).
• Allusions must not be further explained. This second position holds that it doesn't matter if an allusion is direct or indirect, but rather that an allusion is only an allusion if it's not followed by further explanation that tries to make the allusion's meaning or source clear to the reader.

While either definition of an allusion is valid and defensible, we tend to lean toward the second interpretation because in some cases the line between whether an allusion has been provided in a way that is direct or indirect can be so subtle that it's actually difficult to tell if it's indirect or not. For that reason, it seems simpler and easier to just go with the second definition.

Intertextual and Autobiographical Allusions

Allusions can be made to all sorts of things: history, sports, pop culture, and so on. There are two types of allusions that can be more difficult for readers to notice than other kinds, simply because these allusions require that the reader have more specialized knowledge in order to be able to spot them. These two types of allusions are intertextual allusions and autobiographical allusions.

Intertextual Allusions

Intertextual allusions—that is, allusions to other texts—are often more difficult to identify and understand than allusions to historical events or popular culture, because intertextual allusions require a knowledge of other works of literature. A writer may use intertextual allusion to invoke a character or plot that they see as having relevance to their own work. Intertextual allusion can also be a tool for writers who want to put their work in dialogue with a particular literary tradition, or signal who their influences are without stating them explicitly.

For example, in his poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," T.S. Eliot makes an intertextual allusion to Shakespeare's Hamlet . Prufrock, the narrator of Eliot's poem, speaks at length about his own emotional paralysis, but in this passage he makes a decisive shift and declares himself to be different from Hamlet, who is a famously conflicted and indecisive character. Prufrock then compares himself to one of the play's "attendant lords," who are presented as figures with seriousness and a sense of purpose.

No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; Am an attendant lord, one that will do To swell a progress, start a scene or two, Advise the prince...

Autobiographical Allusions

Autobiographical allusions, or allusions to events in the life of an author, may go over the heads of all but the most familiar readers—such as the author's friends and family—but they can add a deeply personal dimension to the text. For example, in "This Lime Tree Bower My Prison," a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the poet makes indirect reference to an injury that prevented him from joining his friends on a hiking trip. To readers unfamiliar with Coleridge's injury, it may be unclear why he compares a shady spot under a lime tree to a prison.

Yes! they wander on In gladness all; but thou, methinks, most glad, My gentle-hearted Charles! for thou hast pined And hunger'd after Nature, many a year, In the great City pent, winning thy way With sad yet patient soul, through evil and pain And strange calamity!

In addition, though Coleridge addresses his friend "Charles" by only his first name, he is alluding to Charles Lamb, a famous English essayist. Readers likely would have made the connection from the name alone (if Matt Damon wrote a poem referring to "Ben," you'd probably guess that it was Ben Affleck, since they're notoriously close friends), but Coleridge underscores the allusion by referring to the "great City"—Lamb spent much of his life living in London.

Allusion vs. Similar Terms

Allusion is similar to several other literary devices that link a text with an external person or thing. For that reason, it's worthwhile to understand what makes each device unique. Here are three devices that are similar to allusion:

• Citation: Quoting a relevant author or source by name.
• Parody: Imitating an author or style with the intent to ridicule.
• Pastiche: Imitating an author or style with the intent to celebrate.

Though citation, like allusion, links the author's work with an external text, the reference is not indirect. In citation, unlike in allusion, the name of the author or source of the reference must be explicitly mentioned. Further, citations are almost always further explained, meaning that when a writer includes a citation they go on to describe why they've included it and how it relates to what they are writing.

Parody and pastiche are genres of writing that indirectly refer to the the general styles of other writers or genres. Unlike allusions, which generally function by referring to specific events, characters, or sentences or lines from another work, parody and pastiche do not operate so specifically. Instead, parody and pastiche require a thorough imitation of an author's tone, plot, or diction—as opposed to a simple reference to just a word or phrase, as in allusion.

Other Devices Used in Making Allusions

Sometimes, other literary devices are used in the process of making an allusion. For that reason, these devices are closely linked to allusion, though they are not the same thing. Below are some literary devices that are often—though not always—used when making an allusion.

• An epithet is a word or phrase that describes an important characteristic of someone or something and is often used in the place of a name (e.g., calling Abraham Lincoln "Honest Abe" or "The Great Emancipator"). Because epithets can be used to refer to people or things without naming them directly, they can be a helpful tool for making allusions. For example, if a writer described a character as "The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up," readers might understand that the writer is making an allusion to the character of Peter Pan by using a widely-recognized epithet instead of naming him directly.
• Euphemism is the use of a polite or indirect word in the place of a harsh, improper, or explicit term when referring to something troubling, uncomfortable, or offensive. The indirect nature of euphemism makes it a helpful tool in making a subtle allusion to something uncomfortable. For example, in one of the examples below, a character uses the term "big bang" as a euphemism for the atomic bomb. This euphemism is one of the passage's key clues to the reader that the writer is alluding to the Second World War.

Allusion Examples

The use of allusion is widespread—in literature, in other disciplines, and even in conversation—because it is an effective way of establishing a relationship between different ideas, time periods, or works of art.

Allusion in Literature

Because most writers are active readers, many works of literature are full of allusions to other texts. Allusions to current events and major political developments are also quite common in poetry, prose, and drama.

Allusion in Shakespeare's Hamlet

In this example from Act 3, Scene 4 of Shakespeare's Hamlet , Prince Hamlet alludes to several of the Greek and Roman gods while describing a portrait of his late father.

See what a grade was seated on this brow, Hyperion 's curls, the front of Jove himself, An eye like Mars ' to threaten and command ...

Instead of describing his father's appearance and personality outright, Hamlet uses allusion to communicate more poetically: his father has the god Hyperion's curly hair, the strong forehead of Jove (also known as Jupiter or Zeus), and the commanding presence of Mars, the god of war. As Shakespeare's audience would have been familiar with the physical appearance of these gods (as depicted in paintings), as well as their backstories, these allusions invoke a whole range of images, stories, and historical periods (the Greek and Roman empires, most notably). These allusions add to the descriptive power of the passage, and they also make Hamlet's father seem powerful and noble by describing him as a composite of several major deities, and associating him with a lineage of historical power.

Allusion in John Osborne's Look Back in Anger

In John Osborne's 1957 play Look Back in Anger , the character Jimmy alludes to the Second World War in order to contrast his generation's perceived lack of purpose with the sacrifice and duty his parents' generation demonstrated in fighting the spread of fascism in Europe.

I suppose people of our generation aren't able to die for good causes any longer. We had all that done for us, in the thirties and forties, when we were still kids. There aren't any good, brave causes left. If the big bang does come, and we all get killed off, it won't be in aid of the old-fashioned grand design. It'll just be for the Brave New-nothing-very-much-thank-you.

Note that Osborne never mentions the war outright. Instead, the audience is expected to piece together the subject of the allusion from contextual clues, such as the reference to dying for a good cause, or the "thirties and forties." In addition, Osborne also alludes to the line "brave new world," which Miranda says in Shakespeare's The Tempest when she first encounters other people after her lifetime of growing up alone with her father on their island. (The title of the novel Brave New World also alludes to Miranda's lines.) Here Jimmy alludes to Miranda's lines in order to invoke the idea of a Brave New World—some miraculous possible place full of noble ideas—and then deny any such thing exists for him. Jimmy is saying that he has been forced to live in a world without any big noble ideas or bright hope for a future, and so his words "Brave New-nothing-very-much-thank-you" alludes to the idea of those bright ideals and future in order to deny them.

Allusion in Speeches

Allusion is a powerful tool for speechwriters, because the device creates a sense of community between the speaker and their audience. Many of the most persuasive speeches make listeners feel that they have shared experience with a speaker, who seems to be speaking "their language."

Allusion in the Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" Speech

As Martin Luther King, Jr. began to deliver his "I Have a Dream" speech in front of a massive audience at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., he made an allusion to Abraham Lincoln.

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation. Five score years ago a great American in whose symb­olic shadow we stand today signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Rather than mention Abraham Lincoln by name, King alludes to him by imitating the opening of the historic "Gettysburg Address" ("Four score and seven years ago..."). Through this use of allusion, King establishes a link between his vision of liberty and Lincoln's, and he suggests that he and his fellow Americans are taking a step that is connected to and as equally historic as Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

Allusion in Barack Obama's Second Inaugural Address

In his Second Inaugural Address, president Barack Obama fostered a sense of community and inclusiveness by alluding to important moments in the history of American civil rights.

We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths—that all of us are created equal —is the star that guides us still, just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall , just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone, to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.

President Obama's speech begins with an allusion to some of the most memorable passages from the Constitution ("We, the people, of the United States of America") and the Declaration of Independence ("We hold these truths to be self-evident"). The speech then goes on to refer to Seneca Falls, Selma, and Stonewall—an alliterative list of major moments in the history of American civil rights movements for woman, African Americans, and gay rights. By referring to these historic moments without explicitly describing what they achieved, the president suggests that the activists' achievements are widely known among Americans, which is itself a marker of success. Finally, Obama refers to Martin Luther King by calling him "a preacher" and "a king," punning on King's name. With this series of allusions, Obama implicitly likens his historical moment to other moments of social progress in America.

Allusion in Film and Television

Directors and screenwriters often incorporate allusions to other films in their work, particularly if they want to subtly acknowledge the films that inspired them. Since film is a multimedia form, allusions in film can be visual (as in architecture), verbal (as in literature), or even musical , as seen below.

Allusion in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

In an iconic scene from John Hughes's film Ferris Bueller's Day Off , Cameron drops his father's priceless Ferrari off at a parking garage in Chicago. Unbeknownst to Cameron, the valet promptly takes the Ferrari for a joy ride. As the Ferrari speeds down a hilly street, it takes flight to the tune of the Star Wars theme—a musical allusion to George Lucas's groundbreaking series of science fiction films. John Hughes gets a lot of mileage (so to speak) out of this allusion. It nods to his love of George Lucas, it heightens the sense of the valet's childish glee, and it enhances the scene's humor, since the triumphant theme is at odds with the horror that Cameron would feel if he knew what was happening to his dad's car.

Allusion in 500 Days of Summer

In this scene from 500 Days of Summer, the film's lovestruck protagonist plays a game of chess against Cupid. Unlike the rest of the film, this scene is shot in black and white and uses an aged film effect. The style and content of the scene make it a not-so-subtle allusion to Ingmar Bergman's classic film, The Seventh Seal , in which a knight plays a game of chess against Death. This nod to a classic film not only introduces an element of melodrama at a point in the film in which the protagonist is suffering from heartbreak, but it also puts the film in direct dialogue with the work of a distinguished and revered filmmaker.

Why Do Writers Use Allusions?

Writers or speakers may use allusions for a wide variety of reasons:

• To create a sense of cultural kinship between storyteller and listener, since those who pick up on allusions have a sense of being "in the know."
• To efficiently convey big ideas, or refer to stories that would take too long to explain.
• To deepen and enrich the meaning of a text by adding a layer that may not be obvious to all readers.
• To add dimension to a work by relating it to other texts.
• To invite readers to reflect on the similarities between their own lives and the lives of authors or characters being alluded to.
• To place their work in dialogue with the work of those who influenced them.
• To demonstrate their own cultural literacy, or test that of their readers or listeners.

However, when a writer makes use of allusion too frequently, or without making accurate assumptions about whether their audience will understand, it can have the negative effect of alienating readers, or making the writer seem like a show-off.

Other Helpful Allusion Resources

• The Wikipedia Page on Allusion : a somewhat threadbare and also jargon-y entry on allusion, but it has some good examples.
• The Wikipedia Page on Intertextuality : Though the discussion can be full of jargon at points, the page provides an overview of the tools authors use to "link" their texts with other works. It also discusses some of the theoretical concerns that allusions raise (e.g., what happens when readers fail to notice an allusion).
• The Merriam-Webster definition of allusion : includes a note on the term's etymology, along with discussion of its relationship to a similar sounding term, illusion.
• Chungdahm Learning's "What is Allusion?" Video : a fun animated video on the definition and uses of allusion.
• Paste Magazine's List of Movies that Pay Tribute to Other Movies : While Paste doesn't use the word "allusion" outright, that's what they're talking about—each of the movies on the list makes a visual, verbal, or musical allusion to another classic movie, and Paste magazine explains it.

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of allusion.

An allusion is a literary device used to reference another object outside of the work of literature. The object can be a real or fictional person, event, quote, or other work of artistic expression. Allusions can be shorthand for adding emotion or significance to a passage by drawing on the reader’s prior associations with the object.

The word “allusion” comes from the Latin for “to play with” or “to jest.” Though the definition of allusion does not necessarily include humor, many jokes do indeed allude to recent events or famous people. Most allusions “play with” the original source material in the sense that they use the reference for new purposes.

Examples of Allusion in Common Speech

• Big Brother : Now a reality television show in countries across the world, the term Big Brother comes from George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984 (he, in turn, may have taken the phrase from a WWII-era billboard). Whereas it once just described a familial relation, “Big Brother” is now shorthand for referring to mass surveillance and abuse of government power.
• Watergate : The 1972 scandal at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Since the event, the suffix –gate has been added to many dozens of names to refer to scandals. These scandals are generally in politics, but can be in other fields as well, and can be of any proportion, from the relatively trivial “Bendgate” of 2014 when the iPhone 6 Plus was shown to bend under pressure, to “Irangate”, referring to the Iran-Contra affair of the mid-1980s during the Reagan Administration.
• 15 minutes of fame : In 1968, artist Andy Warhol made the comment, “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for fifteen minutes.” The phrase “fifteen minutes of fame” is frequently used now, especially with the advent of reality television and social media. Though it has entered the realm of cliché, the saying “fifteen minutes of fame” is an allusion to Warhol’s original statement.
• Catch-22 : Joseph Heller’s 1961 novel Catch-22 centers around a group of soldiers during World War II who try to keep their sanity on an Italian island. Heller describes the following problematic situation with no solution: if a soldier is deemed crazy, he can be discharged from the army. However, if he applies to be discharged this proves he is not crazy. The phrase “Catch-22” has entered the English language as a situation that has no good solution, and is an allusion to Heller’s novel.
• Achilles’ Heel : Achilles was a figure in Greek mythology who was a hero of the Trojan War and was featured in Homer’s  Iliad . He was said to be invulnerable except for at his heel. Thus, when Paris shot Achilles in his heel the wound proved mortal. The term “Achilles’ heel” now refers to a strong person’s one point of weakness.

Significance of Allusion

Authors use allusions intentionally, though it is the reader’s responsibility to understand the reference. Allusions can create meaning in a work that is lost if the reader doesn’t grasp the reference. Therefore, allusions can be a test of a sort of cultural literacy. It is thus also much more difficult for modern readers to understand all of the allusions in older works of literature, or literature from other cultures. This is one of the primary reasons that works such as Dante’s Inferno and Homer’s Odyssey require so many footnotes.

Allusions use the original reference as a point of departure, but they can also change the referent and add meaning retroactively. Allusions create intertextuality in this way. It is important to note, though, that allusions can only go in one direction. For example, William Faulkner can allude to Shakespeare with his title “The Sound and the Fury”, but Shakespeare cannot allude to Faulkner. However, a modern reader familiar with Faulkner is probably unable to read the original lines from Shakespeare’s Macbeth without thinking of Faulkner’s work: “it is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of  sound and fury,  / Signifying nothing.”

Examples of Allusion in Literature

Then turning, I to them my speech address’d, And thus began: “ Francesca!   your sad fate Even to tears my grief and pity moves. But tell me; in the time of your sweet sighs, By what, and how Love granted, that ye knew Your yet uncertain wishes?” She replied: “No greater grief than to remember days Of joy, when misery is at hand. That kens Thy learn’d instructor. Yet so eagerly If thou art bent to know the primal root, From whence our love gat being, I will do As one, who weeps and tells his tale. One day, For our delight we read of Lancelot , How him love thrall’d. Alone we were, and no Suspicion near us. Oft-times by that reading Our eyes were drawn together, and the hue Fled from our alter’d cheek. But at one point Alone we fell. When of that smile we read, The wished smile so raptorously kiss’d By one so deep in love, then he, who ne’er From me shall separate, at once my lips All trembling kiss’d. The book and writer both Were love’s purveyors. In its leaves that day We read no more.”

(Dante’s Inferno )

This excerpt from Dante’s Inferno includes two important allusions that the reader must understand to know what Dante is trying to say. Both allusion examples are to love stories that would have been known by the culturally literate of Dante’s day: the true stories of Francesca and of Lancelot. Francesca, daughter of the Lord of Ravenna, fell in love with her husband’s brother, Paolo, and both she and Paolo were put to death for adultery. In this passage, she tells Dante that she and Paolo fell in love over the story of Lancelot, a Knight of the Round Table, whose romance with Guinevere was celebrated.

HORATIO: A mote it is to trouble the mind’s eye. In the most high and palmy state of Rome, A little ere the mightiest Julius fell, The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets”

( Hamlet by Shakespeare)

This allusion example comes from the beginning of Shakespeare’s Hamlet , where the character Horatio refers to Julius Caesar. Though this is clearly an allusion to the historical figure, it is also an interesting case of self-reference, as Shakespeare published his play Julius Caesar a year or two before Hamlet . The plot of Hamlet alludes to the historical figure Amleth.

The morning wind forever blows, the poem of creation is uninterrupted; but few are the ears that hear it. Olympus is but the outside of the earth everywhere.

( Walden by Thoreau)

In this excerpt from Walden , Henry David Thoreau alludes to Olympus. In Greek mythology, Mt. Olympus was where the pantheon of gods lived. By comparing the outside world to Mt. Olympus Thoreau is saying that nature holds all the wondrousness of the home of the gods.

The Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them hardest.

( To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee)

This line from Harper Lee’s  To Kill A Mockingbird references “the crash”, which is an allusion to the Stock Market Crash of 1929 that led to the Great Depression. Without understanding this allusion, the line would be confusing as the reader would be wondering what type of crash affected the Cunninghams so extremely.

Test Your Knowledge of Allusion

1. Choose the best allusion definition: A. A false or misleading impression of reality. B. A reference to another object outside of the work of literature. C. An imitation of another work of literature.

2. Which of the following lines from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet contains an allusion? A. Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt’s death, B. And therefore have I little talked of love, C. For Venus smiles not in a house of tears.

3. Which of the following titles is not an allusion to Shakespeare?

A. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (late 14 th century) B. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury (1962) C. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (2012)

What is Allusion ?

An allusion is an indirect or implied reference to a person, place, thing, idea, or belief. The reference can be brief and in passing or prolonged as is the metaphor in allegory . The most common allusions are to Greek or Norse mythology , religion, history, literature, or pop culture, but writers may draw from a multitude of other sources.

How to pronounce Allusion ?

When do writers use allusion .

Writers use allusion to add depth to their writing by deeping the meaning of the text. They may be used to make a point, draw a comparison, or create mood . Allusions are commonly used in writing to pay homage to other literary figures, texts or works of art.Example: “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore,” alludes to The Wizard of Oz

When and How to use Allusion?

•  When you want to add depth to your writing
• When you want to pay tribute to something or someone
• To add extra context to a scene
• To provide the reader with a sense of being “in the know”
•  As a means of foreshadowing

The 4 Types of Allusion

• Historical – Refers to an historical event, person/figure, or time period
• Mythological – Refers to a mythological figure, item, text/story, or culture
• Literary – References a literary text, character, or author
• Religious – Refers to a religious text, figure, icon, story, or other religious item

Examples of Allusion in Literature 📚

•   Paradise Lost , John Milton – Oh! To choose, to choose! Of the many references to the Fall , Hell is described as a “dungeon horrible” and a “fiery gulfe” where the Fallen were forced to go after their disobedience. The line:

“Nine times the Space the Space that Measures Day and Night”

refers to  the nine days and nights the speaker and his followers were forced to spend in Hell as punishment after their fall from Heaven.

• To Kill a Mockingbird , Harper Lee

“Are we poor, Atticus?”

Atticus nodded. “We are indeed.”

Jem’s nose wrinkled. “Are we as poor as the Cunninghams?”

“Not exactly. The Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them hardest.”

In this brief passage, the phrase “the crash hit them the hardest” refers to the Stock Market Crash of 1929.

• The Outsiders , S. E. Hinton

“Ponyboy.”

I barely heard him. I came closer and leaned over to hear what he was going to say.

“Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold … ” The pillow seemed to sink a little, and Johnny died.

Here, Hinton alludes to Robert Frost’s poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” when with Johnny’s last words, he tells Ponyboy, “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.”

Allusion in Children Books 🧸

• The Little Mermaid , Hans Christian Anderson – Much like the mythological sirens depicted in Homer’s The Odyssey , the mermaid’s beautiful voice lures Prince Eric to her. 
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , C.S. Lewis –  Among the many,many Biblical allusions in this book, Aslan represents Jesus and The White Witch refers to Satan. The sacrifice of Aslan’s life to save Edmund alludes to Jesus’ life and sacrifice.
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , J. K. Rowling – The sorcerer’s stone alludes to the mythological Philosopher’s Stone which legend states had the ability to turn anything it touched to gold and grant the one who possessed it immortality.

Allusion in Songs 🎧

“We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Billy Joel (1989) – Really? Need anything else be said?

Even if you have no idea who Billy Joel is or what this song is about, with just one listen, you will be able to pick up on at least one allusion to history or pop culture.

Examples of Allusion in Poetry ✍🏽

• “All Overgrown by Cunning Moss,” Emily Dickinson

“All overgrown by cunning moss,

All interspersed with weed,

The little cage of “Currer Bell”

In quiet “Haworth” laid.”

The last two lines of this poem allude to two separate, but related things: “Currer” alludes to the name under which Charlotte Brontë (best known for her novel, Jane Eyre ), wrote and “Hawthorne” refers to the town where Brontë died and was later buried.

•  “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” Robert Frost

“Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.”

The allusion in this verse is, “So Eden sank to grief,” which refers to a very common reference in literature, the Biblical Garden of Eden. Through the use of this particular illusion, the verse implies that nothing lasts forever.

• “The Waste Land,” T.S. Eliot

“April is the cruellest month, breeding

Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing

Memory and desire, stirring

Dull roots with spring rain.”

Eliot is well-known for his somewhat obscure allusions, so this makes for a great example. In this passage, Elit is contradicting the medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer who described April as a happy, cheery month in the Canterbury Tales. To Eliot, the rebirth of life in April was particularly cruel. The context here is that in Eliot’s time, there was a great fear that the world was doomed to end in disaster and could not be saved.

Allusion in Film and Pop Culture 🎥

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle s – The 4 main characters: Donatello, Michaelangelo, Leonardo, and Rapheal are direct references to famous painters and sculptors from the past.
• The Walking Dead , “The Grove” –  Seeming a direct homage to John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men by featuring a scene very similar to that of when George tells Lennie to focus on his dream of owning a rabbit on their farm as he prepares to shoot him in the novel.

Allusion in Advertising 📺

The Food of the Gods commercial, Ferro Rocher – The commercial refers to the brand’s chocolate as the food of the Gods alluding to classical Greek mythology and ambrosia, the chosen food or drink of the Gods.

Often Confused With: 👥

• Allegory – More than a passing or prolonged reference. Allegory is an extended metaphor that requires interpretation, not identification.
• Analogy – A comparison of two things with shared characteristics, usually for explanatory or comparative purposes. Analogies are not made just to make reference or pay tribute to something else.

What is an allusion in literature?

An allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, event, or piece of literature within a text. It relies on the reader’s familiarity with what is mentioned to understand its significance without detailed explanation.

How do allusions enhance a text?

Allusions enrich a text by adding deeper layers of meaning, creating connections to broader themes or cultural elements, and invoking the emotional or intellectual responses associated with the referenced work or event. They can also add complexity and texture to the narrative.

What are common types of allusions found in literature?

Common types include historical (references to historical figures or events), literary (references to other literary works or characters), mythological (references to myths), and biblical (references to the Bible) allusions. Each type serves to enrich the reader’s connection to the text.

How can I identify an allusion in a text?

To identify an allusion, look for a mention of something that doesn’t come with a full explanation because the author assumes the reader will recognize the reference. Understanding the context, culture, or background against which the text was written can help identify and interpret allusions.

Why is it important to understand allusions in reading?

Understanding allusions in a text is crucial for a deeper appreciation of its themes, meanings, and emotional undertones. It allows readers to see the interconnectedness of literature and culture, enhancing their insight into the author’s intentions and the text’s place within a larger cultural or historical context.

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Write an Allusion

I. What is Allusion?

Allusion (pronounced ah-LOO-zhun) is basically a reference to something else .  It’s when a writer mentions some other work, or refers to an earlier part of the current work.

In literature, it’s frequently used to reference cultural works (e.g. by alluding to a Bible story or Greek myth). Allusion also exists in other art forms – musicians, for example, frequently “allude” to melodies used by other musicians.

The verb form of “allusion” is “to allude.” So alluding to something is the same thing as making an allusion to it.

For example:

You’re acting like such a Scrooge !

Alluding to Dickens’s A Christmas Carol , this line means that the person is being miserly and selfish, just like the character Scrooge from the story.

II. Examples of Allusion

We see allusion all the time in everyday speech. For example, has anyone ever told you that you were about to “open up Pandora’s box?” This is an allusion to the Greek story of Pandora, the first woman, who accidentally released evil into the world.

I didn’t have any bus fare, but fortunately some good Samaritan helped me out!

This is an allusion to the Biblical story of the good Samaritan, from Luke 10:29-37 – a good Samaritan is someone who helps others in need, just as the Samaritan does in the story.

Allusion is also found in nearly every work of great literature, as well as in scholarly works and all kinds of non-fiction. Once you know what to look for, you’ll see it everywhere! Just keep an eye out for moments when a writer or speaker makes a passing reference to something else.

III. The Importance of Using Allusion

As we saw in the definition, allusion generally falls into one of two categories, each with its own purpose.

External Allusion

This is an allusion to something outside the current document. It might be a book, play, movie, historical event, or even just a common saying or proverb. All that matters is that it has to be something the reader will already be familiar with.

Internal Allusion

Internal allusion is often harder to catch. It’s when the author makes a reference back to something that has come before in the work. Comedians do this all the time – they’ll tell a joke, and then later on in the evening they’ll tell another joke that uses a line or character from the first one.

IV. Examples of Allusion in Literature

In the graphic novel Persepolis , Marjane Satrapi depicts a fallen soldier being cradled by his mother, a woman in a veil. The image alludes strongly to images of Jesus being taken down from the cross by Mary (external allusion). Later on in the book, Satrapi uses an almost identical image to show a mother fainting into the arms of her husband (internal allusion).

At rest on ocean’s brilliant dyes / An image of Elysium lies  (Edgar Allan Poe, Serenade )

This is an allusion to the mythical afterlife of the Greeks, which was called Elysium. In the poem, the “vision of Elysium” is the stars being reflected in the ocean – so Poe is suggesting that the stars are really the Fields of Elysium, where the Greeks believed heroes would go when they died.

ach mouth holds a sinner…head locked inside, he flails his legs  (Dante Alighieri, The Inferno )

This creepy line is part of Dante’s description of the lowest level of Hell. In the lowest circle, traitors are placed upside down into the mouths of a three-headed devil – Satan. It’s an allusion to an earlier passage in which Dante describes hypocrites being placed upside-down in holes in the ground as part of their punishment. (“From out the mouth of every font emerged a sinner’s feet; the rest beneath was hid.”) The allusion is made very clear by the use of the word “mouth” in both lines. This internal allusion is meant to represent the parallels between hypocrisy and treachery.

V. Examples of Allusion Popular Culture

This is a clever visual allusion from the beginning of Disney’s Mulan . In combination with the spoken line, the image strongly suggests that whoever is playing with the rice may be “the difference between victory and defeat” (although, in keeping with the film’s themes of gender, it’s a woman rather than a man).

Ah, Krusty – this is your Waterloo!  (Sideshow Bob, The Simpsons )

This is an allusion to the Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon Bonaparte suffered a crushing defeat from which he would never recover. Using this allusion, Sideshow Bob suggests that he is about to bring down Krusty just as Napoleon was brought down at Waterloo.

Prometheus is the title of a 2012 science fiction movie starring Michael Fassbender and Idris Elba. This is an allusion to the character Prometheus in Greek mythology, who stole fire from the gods and was sentenced to a terrible punishment after he was caught. This allusion makes sense when you think about the fact that the movie is all about the origins of mankind.

VI. Related Terms

Citation is a formal reference to another person’s work. It’s the accepted scholarly method for showing where you got your facts, quotations, and ideas. Unlike allusion, it can’t be subtle or indirect – that would defeat the purpose! Citations should be as clear and direct as possible, and should always be used when you use even a small piece of another person’s work.

• In Persepolis , the young Marji has a vision of God saying to her, “You are my choice, my last and best choice” ( 8 ).
• Although he rejected sexism, Gandhi created a movement that many women found to be alienating ( Young 2003, p. 97 ).
• Amartya Sen famously proved that no democracy in history had ever suffered a great famine ( Sen 1978 ).

The specific rules for citation may vary in different contexts – ask for advice if you’re not sure how to do citations properly!

• Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a lot like allusion, except that it refers to something that hasn’t happened yet. Authors sometimes do this to give the reader hints about what is about to happen. For example, movies often use TV or radio news reports to foreshadow coming disasters – if you hear the reporter saying something about a gathering storm, you can bet that a main character will be stuck out in it!

As its name suggests, foreshadowing is usually used for negative events, but it doesn’t have to be. If bells play when two characters meet, it may be foreshadowing that they will ultimately get married.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

How to Use Allusion Like a Master Storyteller

by Pamela Hodges and Sue Weems | 23 comments

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Master storytellers often use allusion to add richness or depth and to let readers make deeper connections to a story. Let's look at a definition, some allusion examples, and how to use allusion in your own writing. 

Allusion is more than a literary device you learn about in an English class. Allusions are a master technique for storytellers, and you can learn how to use them too. 

Definition of allusion

A literary allusion is a reference to a person, place, event or another piece of literature. It can also be an indirect reference to a popular cultural event or figure. Allusions can be used to add depth, complexity, or humor to a piece of writing.

The dictionary definition for allusion is based on the root word allude : to s uggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at, refer to, touch on, suggest, imply, mention (in passing)

As a literary device, allusion functions figuratively, meaning the original reference prompts us as readers to attach additional symbolic meaning to the situation. 

Examples of allusion

In the summer of 2023, the blockbuster film Oppenheimer hit theaters, a biopic thriller about J. Robert Oppenheimer, a physicist who headed the Manhattan Project in charge of creating the first atomic bombs. It was adapted from the book by Kai Bird and Martin J, Sherwin titled, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer and first published in 2005. 

The title of Bird and Sherwin's book is a powerful allusion to the Greek myth of Prometheus, sometimes called the God of Fire who is best known for stealing fire from Olympus to give it to humankind, as a symbol of human advancement. Prometheus was punished by being chained to a mountaintop where an eagle descended each day to devour his liver. Prometheus' story is often told as a warning of overreach, especially related to science or technology.

But allusion can show up anywhere in a story from a character's name to a situation to a setting detail. In everyday speech, if someone is described as “pushing a boulder uphill,” that is a reference to the Greek myth of Sisyphus who cheated death twice and was punished by Hades who forced him to spend eternity rolling a boulder uphill over and over. The figurative meaning is that a task will never end.

If you describe a location as a “Garden of Eden,” you're making a Biblical allusion to the garden outlined in Genesis . The figurative meaning may be complex, as the Garden of Eden is a paradise, but Adam and Eve were banished from it for eating of forbidden fruit according to Genesis . When John Steinbeck named his novel East of Eden , he knew the implications of the allusions to the Biblical reference to a passage about Cain and Abel. 

Allusions allow writers to use indirect references to give a moment more meaning and to spark associations and connections in readers. 

Why use allusion? 

Writers use literary allusion (or just allusion in general) to avoid what story master Robert McKee calls “writing-on-the-nose.” 

“Writing on-the-nose means putting a character's fullest thoughts and deepest emotions directly and fully into what she says out loud.” — Robert McKee

Real life is often not direct . There is subtlety and hidden meaning in people's words and actions. There is what is said, and there is subtext, what they really mean.

Allusion is the solution to writing on the nose. Rather than telling your reader exactly what is happening and what they should think about it, allusion allows you to give your reader hints so they can draw their own conclusions.

Not sure you should use allusion in your writing? Here are five reasons that might convince you:

• Allusion creates suspense because readers gather information gradually rather than learning it all at once.
• It is not boring because readers get to think through what's happening rather than being handed all the answers.
• It is realistic because real life is not usually direct.
• It gives dialogue and action hidden meaning.
• When you use literary allusion effectively, it can add shades of meaning and depth. 

If you are writing on the nose, the reader won't have to keep reading, because you told them everything directly. But if you use allusion in your writing, your readers will have to keep reading to find out what the story means.

How to use allusion: a personal example

I (Pamela) recently wrote a story about a friendship. In this excerpt, what am I alluding to about the friendship? Read it and then I will ask questions after you read it.

When my coffee mug had a slimy film on the bottom from the soured milk, she said, “You can’t teach this year. Someone complained.” She pulled out a piece of paper folded in half to fit into her handbag that was too small. She put the paper on the table between our empty coffee mugs.

The milk had a slimy film on the bottom. The milk was soured. What do you think this meant?

What do you think the reference to the handbag being too small meant?

Consider how she put the piece of paper between the coffee mugs. What might be the underlying meaning?

The soured milk was hinting at a friendship that had soured. The handbag being too small referred to her thoughts being too small. The piece of paper that was placed between the coffee cups meant that what was written on the piece of paper had become between the friendship.

I could have written. “My friendship wasn't the same anymore after she showed me the paper.” But the imagery makes a stronger impression because it creates mood and feeling.

Hinting at meaning in a story brings depth and strong images. It gives the reader a chance to think about what has happened or is about to happen.

Allusion reveals the story beneath your story

In a creative writing class I took at college, the professor asked if we thought the protagonist, the woman in the story, thought about her husband. I raised my hand and shared over five references in the story where she professed her love for her husband. I took her proclamations literally and missed the references to her being in love with someone else. She kept professing her love to hide her affair.

Allusion can involve saying one thing and meaning another . I read the story literally, though. I took the protagonist's professions of love literally and missed the hidden meaning.

The author was hinting at the affair by having her proclaim her love so many times.

When you write a story, there is the story you are telling and there is the hidden meaning.

“A story must be like life, but not so verbatim that it has no depth or meaning beyond what's obvious to everyone on the street.” —Robert McKee

Write your stories to be like life, but give them depth and meaning by alluding to the truth. Trust that your readers are smart people who will catch your clues. Keep the readers turning the page.

When you write, do you try to write directly, or do you hint at meaning through subtext? Let me know in the comments .

Write for fifteen minutes where you hint at something and don't write about it directly. It can be a scene from a work in progress, or it can be about something that has already happened. Maybe it is a scene from a recent family get together.

Share your story in the Pro Practice Workshop , and then leave feedback for your fellow writers. When you read the stories, try and guess what the writer is hinting at within their story.

Pamela Hodges

Pamela writes stories about art and creativity to help you become the artist you were meant to be. She would love to meet you at pamelahodges.com .

Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler with an advanced degree in (mostly fictional) revenge. When she’s not rationalizing her love for parentheses (and dramatic asides), she follows a sailor around the globe with their four children, two dogs, and an impossibly tall stack of books to read. You can read more of her writing tips on her website .

23 Comments

I have to disagree with the first allusion. Especially with the idea that doing anything but in realism is assuming the audience is dumb. Sometimes, in real life, people are blunt and honest so don’t allude to anything. “it’s realistic” can be an argument for on-the-nose writing as well since there are people who mean what they say and things are what they are originally appear. Can it be boring? Sure. But allusion can be downright confusing and both will lose readers.

Sometimes on-the-nose can be more poignant than allusion. Sometimes allusion actually detract from the story, making readers put the book down instead of turning the page. It’s more of a “don’t always write on-the-nose and don’t always use allusions”. They both have a place in the story, just like showing and telling both have a place in the story.

You are right. Overusing Allusion could be decisive and will misdirect the reader’s mind but all the same we ought to use Allusion if we must keep the audience alive. Being blunt and honest does not help the reader, it might have been fun for the writer but the reader is way more smarter than you think and expects the writer to be smarter than he is.

Hello Ramona, You are right, some characters in a story might be blunt. So they would speak directly. Often in a story, there is subtext, just like in real life. We don’t always say what we mean. The most important aspect of any story is the story. Allusion is a method, use it if it works with your story. My two favorite books on story are by Robert McKee, “Story” and “Dialogue.” Thank you! Pamela

El Presidenté clapped his arm about the younger man, and steered him around the gathering. “This is the man who will succeed me. Full cheers for Jormé Tomas!” Those present cheered, and clapped their hands somewhat perfunctorily. People took edgy glances at each other. “Is this it? Has our leader voluntarily surrendered command?” El Presidenté continued beaming as he introduced the younger man to the various members of his cabinet. “Maria! I come home to you this night!” El Presidenté reverently removed the chain of office from around his neck, and hung it on the younger man’s shoulders. “El Presidenté!” the older man shouted. Cheers for El Presidenté!” The sun glowed on the chain of command as the new president was ushered towards the external stairs that descended from the balcony. “Go. Go,” called the ex-President. “Let your wife enjoy your company for the last night. My Maria can attest how rarely she received me at home.” The wariness eased from Jorme’s shoulders. He started down the stars. A moment later a sniper fired. One head shot. The General removed the golden chain from Jormé Tomas’s body and reverently carried it back up and replaced it around the neck of the President. “The traitor is dead, El Presidenté.” The new, the pre-existing President raised his arms out wide, as though to say, ‘Look at me!’ Those present knew what was expected of them They clapped, and called out, “Bravo, El Presidenté!”

I’m not sure I agree with the example of the slimy coffee mug and small handbag, and its not just because I completely missed the allusion altogether. It’s because I think the allusion was WAY overdone, judging from what you said the meanings were.

If I was reading a story that had your excerpt somewhere in there, I’ll either wonder (for like 3 seconds) why the writer is drawing my attention to these items that might have no significance or I wouldn’t even notice altogether.

No one’s gonna think “her handbag is too small” jeez, that must mean her thoughts are small. Because it doesn’t mean that in real life. Besides, one has nothing to do with the other. In poetry tho, this type of “allusion” could work. Just not in story writting.

Hello Keke Ochuko, Thank you for taking the time to comment. Writing is open to interpretation, in the context of the whole story, the allusion makes more sense. The coffee mug and handbag are hints. Some people might pick up the hints, and other’s might not. So, as a writer, I can try to make the hints more obvious, or I can accept that not everyone will “like” what I write. Or maybe I should never use examples from my own writing. 🙂 xo Pamela

On their own they seems strange I admit but not when used in context I think they are fine allusions.

Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you! I now know I’m NOT mentally deficient! I read the same explanations to the Allusions paragraph, and also wondered what reference to a slimy cup bottom had to do with a sour relationship! I might have said something about it, but without a direct correspondence, such as “The soured milk in my coffee cup reminded me of my relationship!” This would lead a reader to their own conclusion that the relation is soured without saying it!

I agree that if you want readers to understand their relationship is soured, you need to use hints that make it clear. Yes, you can supplement your writing with these allusions but unless you make it a little more obvious (still SHOWING it, not telling), the reader will probably never pick up on what you mean. Maybe it sounds better in context, but why not show their dying relationship through dialogue or a change of atmosphere between them or even a change in habits (for example, one character used to pass by the house of the other every afternoon to say hi but one day they stop doing that). This lets the readers assume things and draw conclusions, too.

It was this sort of argument that always brought her back to the world she’d left. Aneka never wanted to let the cat out without having the rats away first, all she wanted was to live with the pledge that everything was going to be okay but she can no longer deny the fact that they weren’t. “I found out your little secret” Joel shouted at her as though she was a stranger. “How come you never invited me to the party?” Joel completed with an absurd look. She looked down at her toes, the same thing Joel had come to realize she does whenever she’s angry but had tend to do nothing about it. Aneka could imagine what it would be like if she hadn’t accepted to be with Joel from the first instance. she looked up at Joel, this time she had decided to let the cat out while the rats play. there was nothing more to talk about since all chances has been wasted. “You can find out whatever it is you wanted to find out. This is the same reason I call it something else that is not secret.” She was surprised at the level of her voice but at the same time glad to have taken the right action. “Thank you for inviting me into your heart. You are the best” Joel said as he planted a strong kiss on Aneka’s cheek while he puts a ring into her finger and mutters the unusual “Will you marry me?” The kiss had reminded Aneka all that she had forgotten and again she wished she had never let the cat out while the rats were playing; Joel had good intention this time but in return she said “No, I can’t marry you Joel” All she wanted was to see the shock in Joel’s face before she says something in reverse but there was not one, just a plain face that explained all she’d ever wanted to know.

I loved the ending 🙂 All she wanted was to see the shock in Joel’s face before she says something in reverse but there was not one, just a plain face that explained all she’d ever wanted to know.

Author Chuck Palahniuk talks about unpacking the details in an essay he wrote called, “Beware the Thesis Statement” https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B13ktOR7zuMeWUIwVXNHZjdsRDg/edit

I think this relates well to what Pam is talking about with allusion.

When you describe physical details of your character’s surroundings and your character’s reaction to them, you make your point indirectly and create an allusion that makes readers curious. Palahniuk says not to start out with “thesis statements.” Examples he gives of thesis statements are books that open with statements like:

Robert woke up hating his life.

Lydia never could get along with her upstairs neighbors.

Pam didn’t start out saying, “Their friendship was over,” which would’ve been a thesis statement, totally lacking in allusion, and would’ve taken all suspense out of the scene.

Pam unpacks a detail and creates an allusion with her coffee cup. A slimy film from sour milk in a coffee cup sets up the mood. While you may not instantly think the friendship has soured, it foreshadows that what comes next isn’t going to be pleasant. The paper being too big for the handbag makes you feel an awkwardness, like things aren’t coming together easily. Telling her friend she can’t teach anymore because of a complaint sets up a barrier and putting the paper between them symbolizes a disconnection. Why? The character could’ve handed the paper to the friend and as she did so, she could’ve shown some compassion by saying she was really sorry, but no, she set it down on the table between them — and that said “you’re on your side of the table and I’m on mine.”

I think Pam makes makes the point about allusion beautifully and in the context of the rest of the story, the underlying meaning would become even clearer to readers.

I recently wrote a short story and worked at setting up the mood through allusion instead of stating what the problem was right from the get-go:

Rap, tap, tap, tap…the tree branch bumped and scratched against the window, and a blustery wind outside bore down and swayed the old oak until its last leaf broke loose from a branch. A whoosh of air caught the leaf, buffeted it around and it spiraled to the ground. Now a complete skeleton tossed by the wind, the tree stood naked and vulnerable to face the winter weather. Christie felt like the old tree, stripped of its protective leaves and dreading what came next.

Her mood matched the bleak backdrop of the barren landscape and gray sky, and it left her empty inside. She knew what was coming. She saw it in her mind that morning as she curled up under her comforter, surrounded by her stuffed animals, and it would begin the moment Dad walked in the door on Christmas Eve.

I have definitely not gone down this road. I need to, though! Makes reading more fun….thank you.

Thanks so much Pam for your post. I enjoy a book much more when there’s an allusion. I’m imaginative and love to fill in the parts which leave me guessing. It’s as if I’m participating in the story. I will try and write with allusions because I want to hook my reader until the very last page.

when I write I find allusions popping in without invitation. When I look back on what I’ve written I realise I’ve inadvertently chosen very telling language and I can often cut out the bulk of the sentence because a word or two have already told the story.

I immediately saw the likeness I’d seen before in the women. Her hair bundled high enough into a ponytail and silver earrings dangling from her earlobes. The long red coat reflected in the large windows of the cafeteria. Almost as if she willed it too. And as if looking back her reflection gave an impish smile. The likeness was incredible.

This might need alot of editing. but i loved the article, so wanted to try it. Let me know what you guys think. 🙂 The birds had been trapped inside the cage since eternity, yearning to get out, to free themselves of all the burden that was overcoming them. But sometimes even wanting what you desire can be hard to get, taking that one step is even harder than you think It is. The birds were the prisoners of their own creation. But this evening something was different, the woman across the table had been siting for hours staring vacantly out of the window, as crowds of people made their way through, their footsteps hitting the pavement, dodging the puddles forming in the rain. Her coffee cold, untouched. The man sitting opposite has been observing her forever, as if longing to approach her. He got up suddenly, fixed his coat and made his way through to the table near the window. The birds became restless flying about in the cage. He mustered up his courage and said, ‘Excuse me’. She didn’t move, the only sound that could be heard was the rain drops falling, she was staring into space at her reflection in the glass, he could see himself in the background too. He could hear the troubled birds chirping loudly, flying about in confusion. Perhaps she was lost in thought and didn’t hear him. He opened his mouth once more but saw another reflection he turned around and saw the waiter. ‘Madam, we are closing’. She seemed to have come back to her senses and turned around and looked at the waiter, through him. Her blue eyes didn’t meet his.’ I am sorry, I must have lost track of time.’ She got up, grabbing her coat, made her way through him and walked out of the restaurant. The tingling of the bell echoed through the rain as the door closed behind her. The man stood there, stoned, looking out the window as the woman disappeared. After a while, which felt like decades, he stepped into the rain, the bell still ringing in his ears. ‘Why is it so silent in here? Where did the birds go? Did they make their way out? But how can they I didn’t set them free? I think the prisoners just died in here, in the cage.’

I wondered why I was defending my position. After all it didn’t matter one way or the other if I got my coffee in a mug or a cup. “Cold milk and two sugars,” I reminded the coffee monitor. Pam had been nominated by the manager to take over the first week of this experiment to cut down our caffeine intake. I suddenly found her staring back at me. “What was that?” “Cold milk and two sugars,” I repeated. “Oh, I thought you said something else,” she said, her voice rising. Somebody took her arm and led her away. Only after a few minutes did it sink through what I’d really said. We’d broken up a week before, and I still had unfinished business with her. Later, perhaps. Right now I’d more important stuff to attend to.

I took the protagonist’s professions of love literally and missed the hidden meaning.

http://www.emetechnologies.com/industrial-training-in-chandigarh/6-months-mechanical-engineering-training-in-chandigarh-&-mohali.php

“piece of paper had become between the friendship” is there a problem with this sentence? Great piece though!

I think “…piece of paper had ‘come’ between the friendship” is the correction needed.

thanks for the useful article you wrote and shared with us. Appreciate your work and thanks behalf of my team https://www.snkcreation.com/

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What are Literary Allusions? Definitions & Examples in Literature

by Fija Callaghan

Allusions are one of the most common literary devices in both classic and contemporary literature. Even if you’re not familiar with the term or you’re not sure what it means, you’ve definitely come across them before. An allusion can feature in a poem, a novel, short stories, stage plays, films, comic books, everyday conversation, and even advertising slogans! In just about any medium that tells a story, you’ll be sure to find allusions.

So what is allusion in literature, exactly, and why do we use them in our writing? Let’s explore everything we need to know, including some helpful allusion examples in literature.

What is an allusion?

An allusion is literary device in which a writer makes a subtle, indirect reference to a moment, idea, or part of culture that the reader will recognize. This reference might be to another literary work, a film, a popular song, a political movement, a moment in history, or sometimes a moment from an author’s own life.

True allusions are generally more subtle than direct references. For example, if you’re caught in the middle of an argument between two people and you tell them they make you feel like Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet , then you’ve made a direct reference to the popular Shakespeare play—you just told them so! But if instead you tell them that they make you want to curse a plague on both their houses, that’s a more subtle allusion to the same Shakespeare play.

In writing, allusions can be very clever and catch the reader off guard. In fact, reading an expertly placed allusion can be one of the most enjoyable parts of a story. They can be funny, or thought-provoking, or add more depth to a rich and powerful theme .

What does allusion mean?

The word allusion comes from the Latin alludere , which means “to play with or make fun of.” In film it can also be called an “homage.”

When a writer alludes to something in their work, they’re making an apparent reference to cultural traditions or shared knowledge that their readers will understand.

We use allusion in everyday speech all the time. For instance, someone might say you’re “such a scrooge” if you’re careful with money. Or they might call a personal weakness an “achilles heel,” a casual reference to the hero of Greek mythology.

Types of allusions in literature

So now that we know the basics of what a literary allusion is, here’s a closer look at the specific types of allusions you’ll see in writing.

Literary allusion

A literary allusion is when a story alludes to another novel, a stage play, a film, a poem, or a piece of music—anything that has a real author’s name attached to it. If you can identify the alluded-to work as coming from one creative source, it’s a literary allusion.

For example, in his novel Firestarter Stephen King says, “Rainbird was a troll, an orc, a balrog of a man.” This is an allusion to the work of JRR Tolkien: although trolls are classic figures of folklore, both orcs and balrogs are Tolkien’s original literary creations. This allusion creates a clear, distinct image for the reader, while acknowledging a beloved literary influence.

Cultural allusion

A cultural allusion is when a narrative alludes to something that has become a part of the society’s wider consciousness, or something that the world is currently facing in contemporary society. This might be an allusion to classical mythology, politics, history, folklore, popular media, or major current events.

Sometimes an allusion can straddle the line between being literary and cultural. Some examples are classic fairy tales such as Snow White , Cinderella , Hansel and Gretel , or the Frog Prince . The versions of these stories we all know come to us from the interpretations the Brothers Grimm set down in their famous volumes of stories; this makes them literary allusions. However, many of those stories have existed for much longer than before the Grimms got to them, changing and shifting as they passed through one culture or one era to another. This also makes them cultural allusions.

Another example of a cultural allusion might be more recent work like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland . Every version of this tale we know came down from one writer, and yet the story and its world have become so deeply entrenched in contemporary culture that they’re part of an eclectic pantheon of modern folklore. Phrases like “down the rabbit hole” and iconic images like the Cheshire Cat are easily recognizable by people who haven’t even read the book. In this way Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is both a literary allusion and a cultural one.

Autobiographical allusion

An autobiographical allusion is when the author makes an allusion to something in their own life. This is using the literary device of allusion in an intimate and personal way.

Most of the time the average reader won’t be able to identify an autobiographical allusion, because they have no special insight into the personal life of the writer (unless maybe they’re doing a PhD on their work!). An autobiographical allusion is usually for the benefit of a select few friends and family who will recognize it, or it may even be for just yourself as a writer.

For example, the character of Molly Bloom in James Joyce’s magnum opus Ulysses is widely believed to have been based on his common law wife, Nora Barnacle. While historians have picked apart the similarities between Molly and Nora and the timeline of their relationship and of the novel’s creation, there are likely multiple allusions in the novel to Joyce’s relationship with Nora that no one will ever know outside the two of them.

Another example is Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel The Ocean at the End of the Lane , which he has pronounced to be his most autobiographical book. But how much of the story’s events contain allusions to his own time growing up, and how much is fiction? We may never know for sure.

Using this kind of self reference can be a personal way to communicate something in your story with the people you love, or the people who have supported you, or even just to process aspects of your life on the page. We’ll look at some allusion examples for all of these further down below.

Internal allusion vs. external allusion

All of these literary devices we’ve looked so far have been external allusions—references to outside source material which enriches the story. But what about internal allusion?

You may have heard these two literary terms before. Most often writers use external allusion , which means they reference something outside the narrative they’re writing. This could be something like biblical allusion or references to Greek and Roman mythology, another mythical figure, a work of literature, or even a real-world problem that the writer wants to draw attention to.

Internal allusion is when the story references something that happened earlier in the narrative. For instance, the main character might make a reference to a choice they made early on which led them to that moment, or an experience that shaped the path they took to get to the end of the novel. Internal allusion can be a valuable tool in drawing attention to your story’s character development and the journey your protagonist has taken.

Allusion vs. illusion vs. elusion

There are a few words that sound very similar to “allusion,” but they’re spelled differently and all mean different things. It can be hard to tell them apart just by hearing them.

An allusion , as we looked at above, is a literary device that indirectly references an idea from another work of literature, an aspect of popular culture, a moment or period of history, or a personal experience. Sometimes when people talk about “pop culture references,” what they actually mean is allusion.

An illusion is a false sensory perception—usually visual, though it can apply to any of our senses. If you see a vision of something that isn’t really there, that’s an illusion. Sometimes the word illusion can refer to a false pretense or understanding, too; someone might be under an illusion that the company they work for is honest, or a discordant couple might create an illusion of stability for their children.

An elusion is a clever escape or avoidance of something. You might say, “he was a master of elusion when it came to bath time.” It’s more common to see this word used in a verb form—to elude, or eluded—or an adjective—“he found sleep elusive.”

What is the purpose of allusion in writing?

Now we understand what allusion is and the different types of allusions you’ll see in literature. Let’s look at some examples of why writers like to use this literary device.

To establish setting

An allusion can be used to provide context of your story world and of the time you’re writing about. By alluding to culture that was popular in a particular era, or that’s associated with a certain type of person, you can communicate something to the reader about the world they’re becoming immersed in.

For example, you can help establish time and place by having your characters allude to films or TV series that were popular at a certain time. If they make an allusion to Cheryl Ladd’s Charlie’s Angels role, or a childhood spent watching Scooby Doo or The Jetsons , the reader has a sense of the era in which your characters are living. You can also do this by alluding to pivotal moments in history, such as the stock market crash of 1929, to help crystallize your time period and the people in it.

To convey character

The type of allusion your characters makes can also reveal something about their personality. A character who alludes to The Fast and the Furious in conversation will probably be different a very different character than one who makes allusions to The Bell Jar . Or, maybe they are they same character—using allusions in unexpected ways like this is a great way to create dynamic contrasts that give your characters more dimension .

When writing allusions for your characters, make sure to check that the allusion makes sense for the character you’ve created. It should communicate something new about the character as you understand them in your story world, rather than simply communicating something that you as the writer might have thought in their circumstance.

For example, an aging woman in a retirement home making an allusion to the latest Hollywood action film might seem a little jarring. Is there a reason for it, and does it make sense with the woman’s lifestyle? If so, keep going. If not, have a rethink.

To support your story’s theme

One of the greatest powers of allusion is underlining the major themes of your work. By creating connections between your story and other stories that have come before yours, you help build those ideas more vividly for the reader.

For example, if your story’s theme has to do with social prejudice and inequality, you might make an allusion to To Kill a Mockingbird , a literary work the reader will likely have at least a passing familiarity with.

If your story’s theme has to do with overcoming first impressions and looking beyond what’s on the surface, one of your characters might allude to reading Pride and Prejudice , a famous literary work about those same themes.

A reader’s ability to identify with those stories right away means they’ll understand the connection you’re making within your narrative. Since the groundwork for these stories is already laid within the reader’s mind, you can simply borrow some of their thematic emphasis by showing the reader, in an indirect and unconscious way, how those stories and yours intersect.

To connect with readers

Using allusion creates a bridge between the world of your story and the world of your reader. By alluding to major events, popular culture, or timely literary works, you can make your story seem even more relatable and accessible.

The TV series Gilmore Girls , for example, was famous for using widespread examples of allusion to other series, films, books, and famous personalities. This context helped the show connect the audience with the characters and made them feel like they were bonding over the same things.

Allusion can create a warm, personal intimacy in your story that makes it feel more present to your reader. One risk, however, is that pop culture is constantly shifting and allusions to what’s currently popular can become dated very quickly. While new readers may love catching your clever and timely allusions when your work is new, other readers may not pick up on all of them or enjoy them in the same way a few years later.

To create a storytelling community

Multiverses are all the rage these days, but shared worlds didn’t begin with Hollywood blockbusters. When a writer makes an allusion to the work of another writer, they’re creating a sense of community and connection between storytellers. This is true even if one of the writers is no longer living, or if they’ve never met; they’re linked by their shared storytelling journey.

Sometimes writers will intentionally “trade” allusions as a way of honoring each other’s work. For example, the bestselling fantasy novelists Holly Black and Cassandra Clare are known to be good friends, and at times they will drop in allusions to each other’s stories. In Holly Black’s novel Ironside , there’s an allusion to the “Mortal Cup,” a mystical artifact from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. This is a great way to build bridges between yourself and a writer you admire; plus, it’ll give your readers something exciting to look for in your work, too.

To process personal feelings

Hollywood gossip rags love to pick apart chart-topping pop songs for their allusions. What did this celebrity really mean by this line? Why do they keep referencing this one particular hotel? When this singer crooned about “blue eyes,” whose blue eyes was she referring to? Cue the tabloid sales.

We may enjoy laughing and hypothesizing at the secrets between the lines, but the truth is that art of all mediums can be a very personal sort of therapy. Many writers will use allusions in their stories to deal with volatile emotions and make some sense of difficult experiences. If your toxic ex used to write down reminders and shopping lists on their white converse shoes, you can absolutely create a villain who writes “Note to self: kill hero” on their white converse shoes. You’ll feel better, and your biographer will love you for it when you’re rich and famous.

Allusion examples in literature

To wrap up, let’s look at a how other writers have used this popular literary device with the following examples of allusion in literature.

The Latinist , by Mark Prins

The Latinist is an academic thriller loosely based on the myth of Daphne and Apollo in Greek mythology. To emphasize its mythological roots in a contemporary setting, Prins uses several allusions to Greek myth and legend within the narrative:

The elevator dinged at the first floor. And at the third, he stepped out, following room numbers through a labyrinth of hallways. He thought of Theseus in the labyrinth, trailing Ariadne’s thread behind him so that he could find his way back out when he killed the Minotaur.

“The Disquieting Muses,” by Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath uses many examples of allusions to myths, legends, and fairy tales in her work. Her poem “The Disquieting Muses,” an ekphrastic poem based on a famous painting of the same name, opens with an allusion to the wicked fairy in Sleeping Beauty :

Mother, mother, what illbred aunt Or what disfigured and unsightly Cousin did you so unwisely keep Unasked to my christening

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury uses several allusions in his groundbreaking classic novel including biblical allusions, allusions to other literary work, and moments in history. Here he makes an allusion to a historical event, the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius that decimated Pompeii in 79 AD. Though it is a small, lighthearted moment, the image of a volcano underlines the novel’s theme of burning:

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.

Allusion opens up the world of your story

Allusion happens in almost every narrative work. You’ve probably used it in your own writing without even realizing it. Now, by using allusion mindfully to enhance your story, you can connect with readers in a fun, meaningful way.

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What is an Allusion? Definition and Examples of Allusion in Writing

Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is an Allusion? Definition and Examples of Allusion in Writing

Allusion Definition: An allusion is a reference in one work to another significant work, event, person, or place.

What Does Allusion Mean?

What is an Allusion? An allusion occurs in literature when an author indirectly references another work, event, person, or place. The reference may be historical or modern.

Authors and writers use allusions to express a similar sentiment to the object of the allusion or to evoke particular emotions.

Historical Examples of Allusion

For example, in 1963 on the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The speech begins:

“Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.”

The Emancipation Proclamation itself is not the allusion, here. Rather the initial words, “Five score years ago,” constitute Dr. King’s allusion. “Five score years ago” is an indirect reference to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address . Dr. King used the allusion to invoke Lincoln’s actions and to set a precedent for his speech.

Modern Examples of Allusion

While allusions are intended for literary use, they actually occur every day, often in television or music.

Below is an allusion example from Taylor Swift’s song “Love Story:”

Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter

And my daddy said, “Stay away from Juliet.”

While the song itself is a more direct reference to the love story of Romeo and Juliet, the example of allusion here is actually “a scarlet letter.” Swift references Nathaniel Hawthorne’s text, The Scarlet Letter . She uses this allusion to imply that the speaker in this excerpt, “I”, was somehow off-limits or “taboo.”

What is important to note about allusions is that if the reader or audience does not have a firm grasp of historical references and popular culture, an allusion may simply seem like nothing more than words. So, if Swift’s audience were unaware of the Hawthorne reference, they would miss her intention altogether.

The Importance and Function of Allusion

Writers specifically and strategically place allusions to be intentional and purposeful and to affect the overall meaning of their work.

Writers utilize allusions to communicate a particular mood or emotion that would impact the reader or audience.

More specifically, Dr. King’s example from above invoked Lincoln for several reasons.

First, he was standing on the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial and wanted to take advantage of that location.

Second, Lincoln freed slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation . However, Dr. King wants to emphasize that 100 years later inequality still existed in America. King’s allusion to Lincoln begs the question: If African-Americans were freed 100 years prior, why were they still neglected equal civil rights?

Dr. King purposefully and intentionally alluded to Lincoln at the start of his speech. Similarly, a writer should use an allusion to impact the overall purpose of his work.

Examples of Allusion in Literature

Define Allusions in Literature: Allusions can reference virtually anything. However, the most popular literary allusions are to Greek mythology or Biblical stories.

The following lines are an excerpt from Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis :

Is thine own heart to thine own face affected? Can thy right hand seize love upon thy left? Then woo thyself, be of thyself rejected, Steal thine own freedom, and complain on theft. Narcissus so himself himself forsook And died to kiss his shadow in the brook.

Here, the speaker references the Greek myth of Narcissus. Shakespeare includes this allusion here to act as a comparison. The speaker models the consequences of one who loves himself too much and alludes to Narcissus to show the harmful effects of such behavior.

Again, Shakespeare methodically and purposefully includes this allusion. The allusion mirrors Shakespeare’s intention in these lines, to prove that self-indulgence may have detrimental consequences.

Summary: What is Allusion?

Define Allusion: The definition of allusion is quite simple: it is the reference in one work to another important work, person, event, etc.

Like other literary devices, it is the reader’s responsibility to recognize and understand allusions, and many of the most famous allusion examples in literature refer to Greek or Biblical stories.

A writer incorporates allusions to impact overall purpose. Similarly, allusions should be used wisely and sparingly. For allusion examples, see above.

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What is an Allusion? | Definition & Examples

"what is an allusion": a literary guide for english students and teachers.

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What is an Allusion? Transcript (English and Spanish Subtitles Available in Video, Click HERE for Spanish Transcript)

By Sam Schwartz , Oregon State University Senior Instructor of Literature

25 May 2021

Many of the most iconic and memorable passages in literature achieve their currency through the use of Allusion. Consider, for example, passages from the opening of two American novels published 100 years apart. Herman Melville’s Moby Dick , published in 1851, opens with perhaps the most recognizable sentence in all of American literature: “Call me Ishmael.”  Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man , published in 19 50, also partakes of allusion when its narrator and main character introduces him self: “I am an invisible man. No, I am not […] like those who haunted Edgar Allen Poe; nor am I one of your Hollywood-movie ectoplasms.”

allusion_iv-1.jpg

The use of allusion by these authors exemplifies both what an allusion is and why it is used.  Allusions are generally regarded as brief but purposeful references, within a literary text, to a person, place, event, or to another work of literature. Allusion is distinguished from other forms of reference—the many ways that works of literature can call out to other works of art—by its brevity and often by its indirection, though just how indirect an allusion is can vary by a wide degree. An allusion is not a deep meditation, but a passing signal that can sometimes escape notice if you’re not reading carefully. However, allusions are an essential tool for literary artists that often serve to situate their own works within the wider culture and the contexts of literary history.

So, how does this work? What do allusions achieve and why do authors use them?  Let’s refer back to our examples. When the narrator of Moby Dick introduces himself to the reader, he refers to himself as Ishmael perhaps as a way to make himself more anonymous, and indeed, the reader would not necessarily need to pause and ask the question, “What is the significance of the narrator naming himself ‘Ishmael’?” However, a careful reader would indeed be rewarded by her curiosity. Ishmael is a Biblical name from the book of Genesis—he’s the oldest son of Abraham and brother of the more well-known Isaac. For our purposes, Ishmael is known for being an outcast from a great family; according to an angel who protects Ishmael’s mother Hagar, he is to be “a wild man” whose “hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him.”

allusion_v-1.jpg

This allusion to the Biblical Ishmael achieves two goals, then. Without having to do much work at all—we’re only three words into the novel itself, we already learn a lot about Ishmael: that he is at odds with the world and with those around him; to keep from “methodically knocking people’s hats off,” he seeks the solitude that only an ocean voyage can provide. But the allusion also accomplishes a broader goal: it establishes the solemn but also ambitious tone that this novel conjures: while Ishmael shoves off with Captain Ahab on the Pequod from the shores of Nantucket, this is also the world of Noah and his ark, of Jonah and the whale, and Biblical reference serves to expand the novel’s presence beyond the 19 th century, onto a plane with the most consequential and ancient human stories.

In Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man , allusion is used again, this time more directly but just as quickly, as an act of self-definition by the novel’s narrator. Though invisible, he is not a specter from Edgar Allen Poe. Though he’s defining himself in the negative—by describing who he is by what he is not—his associations are telling: they predict the assumptions and associations of his readers, who likely know Poe’s work, thus creating an immediate relationship based on shared knowledge and reference. This narrator might not want to be associated with such dark figures as Poe’s Roderick Usher or William Wilson, but his protests only go so far. It’s difficult not to associate him with these characters from the American gothic tradition when we find him hunkered down in a basement, eerily lit but hundreds of lightbulbs, where he lives “not only visible, but formless.” So, while this reference to Poe in the opening lines of Invisible Man is lightning quick, the allusion performs a lot of heavy lifting.

allusion_iii-1.jpg

To a student of literature, then, the research sometimes required to fully understand allusions, especially when they’re identified in older texts, is like exploring the subtle but potentially dense backdrops of an intricate painting, without which the foregrounded material would not be as rich and impactful. Allusions draw connections between text and reader by harnessing them into the space where context resides. Allusions are the tendrils of a text that expand its field of association, but that also serve to intensify the intellectual and aesthetic possibilities of a given moment.

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MLA Citation: Schwartz, Samuel. "What is an Allusion?" Oregon State Guide to English Literary Terms, 25 May 2021, Oregon State University, liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-allusion. Accessed [insert date].

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15 Examples of Allusion in Literature & Poetry

March 8, 2024

Whether you are an aspiring novelist or just trying to spice up your personal statement , utilizing literary devices is a great way to make your writing more colorful and engaging. Although there are many literary devices to choose from, one of the most popular is allusion. You might not realize it, but you probably consume literature, film, and music that is chock-full of allusion examples. For example, Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” contains allusions to Shakespeare and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Similarly, the movie Shrek alludes to many movies, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

As these examples indicate, allusion is a versatile literary device that can enhance your enjoyment and comprehension of media, as well as your own writing. In this post, we’ll explore the concept of allusion by discussing allusion examples, including examples of allusion in poetry and examples of allusion in literature.

What is allusion?

In your everyday conversations, you have probably heard someone use the verb allude . We often say that people are alluding to an idea when we suspect they are making an indirect reference to a concept or topic without acknowledging it directly. Allusion, as a literary device, means something similar. According to the Poetry Foundation , an allusion is a “brief, intentional reference to a historical, mythic, or literary person, place, event, or movement.”

For example, you might hear someone say they went “down a rabbit hole” when researching a topic. This doesn’t mean they literally found a burrow. Instead, this phrase is an allusion to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland that communicates the speaker spent more time than they planned reading about an interesting or unusual idea. Similarly, you may have called someone a “Scrooge” when they were being greedy, alluding to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol . Most allusions, including these examples, refer to people, concepts, or events, often coming from an external piece of media like a book, movie, or artwork. However, internal allusions in a piece of writing can also make reference to something that occurred earlier within a text.

Allusion Examples (Continued)

What distinguishes allusion from your run-of-the-mill reference is how indirect and, usually, brief this device is. When writers use allusion, they do not typically call overt attention to it or explain the reference. As a result, readers may or may not pick up on all examples of allusion.

Since allusions are indirect, you might be wondering, why use this technique at all? Like other literary devices, allusion can add depth and dimension to writing, providing writers with an efficient tool that can help them enrich a text by connecting it to a broader cultural, literary, or historical context. Moreover, allusion can help a writer construct meaning or establish tone in cases where allusions are used metaphorically or ironically. Essentially, allusion can act as a type of shorthand that helps writers convey meaning. With this foundation in mind, let’s look at some allusion examples to see how they work in practice.

Allusion Examples in Poetry

Regardless of whether they reference internal or external ideas, allusions are virtually always brief. For this reason, readers will commonly encounter allusion examples in poetry. Let’s examine some examples.

1) “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe

In the “The Raven,” American poet Edgar Allan Poe crafts a narrative poem in which the narrator laments their heartbreak over the death of their lover, Lenore, to the eponymous raven, who frustrates the narrator with their repeated response of “Nevermore.” There are several allusion examples in “The Raven” including the reference made in line 41:

Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—

In Greek mythology, Pallas is the goddess of wisdom and useful arts. With this knowledge, readers’ may interpret Poe’s choice to have the raven perch on this bust as an indicator of the raven’s intelligence, which is left ambiguous in the poem. This allusion may also reflect the narrator’s desire for answers to his questions about death and memory.

2) “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot

Also referred to as “Prufrock,” this poem was T.S. Eliot’s first professionally published poem. Inspired by his Modernist peers, Eliot wrote “Prufrock” using a stream of consciousness technique to explore the narrator’s thoughts. In “Prufrock,” Eliot utilizes multiple examples of allusion, including the reference made in line 94:

To say: “I am Lazarus, come from the dead,

Come back to tell you all, I shall tell you all”—

Here, Lazarus is a Biblical allusion, likely referring to the Lazarus in John 11, who Jesus raised from the dead. However, this allusion could also be in reference to another Biblical Lazarus in Luke 16. This figure returns from the dead at the behest of a rich man who has been sent to Hell to warn the man’s family so they can avoid the same fate. In either case, this allusion, in the poem’s context, seems to reflect the narrator’s feelings of frustration and disillusionment.

Allusion Examples in Poetry (Continued)

3) “nothing gold can stay” by robert frost.

As a seminal American poet, Robert Frost often utilized naturalistic imagery to explore his reflections on the human experience. In “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” Frost pairs this imagery with Biblical allusion:

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.

In this passage, Frost alludes to the Garden of Eden and the Fall of Man as explored in the Bible. Through this example of allusion, Frost explores the impermanence of paradise by referencing Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden. In doing so, he communicates his point that nothing lasts forever.

4) “A Name” by Ada Limón

In her poetry collection, The Carrying , Ada Limón frequently reflects on the power of names. Readers can see this theme reflected in the collection’s opening poem:

When Eve walked among

the animals and named them—

nightingale, red-shouldered hawk,

fiddler crab, fallow deer—

I wonder if she ever wanted

them to speak back, looked into

their wide wonderful eyes and

whispered, Name me, name me.

Here, we see another Biblical example of allusion to the story of Adam and Eve. Knowledgeable readers will notice how this allusion modifies the Creation story. In the Bible, Adam is the person who names the animals in Eden rather than Eve. By changing this part of the narrative, Limón emphasizes the power of names and those who choose them.

5) “The Disquieting Muses” by Sylvia Plath

Known for her confessional poetry, Sylvia Plath has many allusion examples in her work to myths and fairy tales. We can see one such example of allusion in her ekphrastic poem, “The Disquieting Muses”:

Mother, mother, what illbred aunt

Or what disfigured and unsightly

Cousin did you so unwisely keep

Unasked to my christening

This allusion to an unwelcome guest at a christening calls back the fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty. You may remember that, in Sleeping Beauty, an evil fairy curses the princess at her christening, setting the story in motion. In Plath’s poem, this example of allusion helps communicate the speaker’s feelings of resentment and blame toward their mother.

6) “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats

An ode is a type of lyrical poetry that celebrates a person, event, or object. This style  was popular among many Romantic poets, including John Keats. The first stanza of his poem, “Ode to a Nightingale,” is also a great example of allusion in poetry:

My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains

My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,

Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains

One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk:

’Tis not through envy of thy happy lot,

But being too happy in thine happiness,—

That thou, light-winged Dryad of the trees

In some melodious plot

Of beechen green, and shadows numberless,

Singest of summer in full-throated ease.

This stanza actually has several allusion examples, many of which prominently reference Greek mythology. Lethe is a river in the Underworld that is commonly associated with forgetfulness. Similarly, the Dryad is a tree nymph, an allusion Keats uses to characterize the nightingale as mythical and ethereal. Through these examples of allusion, Keats expresses his emotions about the contrast between the joyous, natural world of the nightingale and the more structured nature of human society.

7) “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood

Many examples of allusion are isolated to a particular line or phrase in a poem. However, some allusions play out over the course of entire works, as is the case with Atwood’s “Siren Song.” In this poem, Atwood alludes to The Odyssey , specifically its myth of the Sirens. Readers of The Odyssey will remember that Sirens are mythical creatures who lure sailors to their deaths through their song. Through the entirety of “Siren Song,” Atwood uses allusion to subvert our perspective on the figure of the Siren by making one of them the speaker, who reflects on her own power and isolation.

Allusion Examples in Literature

While poets frequently utilize allusion examples, they are also a fixture in many literary works. Below, we’ve broken down some prominent allusion examples in literature:

8) Moby Dick by Herman Melville

“Call me Ishmael” is arguably one of the most well-known lines from literature. It is also one of the many allusion examples in Melville’s Moby Dick . Here, the name Ishmael is an allusion to a biblical figure. In Genesis, Ishmael is the oldest son of Abraham who is known as a wandering outcast within his family. This allusion may serve to emphasize the novel’s themes of alienation and humans’ search for meaning.

9) Moby Dick by Herman Melville (again!)

Melville’s novel is one of the most essential works in American literature for a reason. Part of its legacy stems from its complex, layered, and much-debated meaning, including its many allusions. Another example of allusion in the text is the name of the ship the novel takes place on: the Pequod. Contemporary readers of Moby Dick might have drawn connections between this name and the Pequot tribe, who are indigenous to modern-day Connecticut. From 1636 to 1638, members of this tribe engaged in the Pequot War with English settlers. This conflict ultimately had disastrous and long-lasting effects on the tribe. Melville’s allusion to this tribe and English colonization evokes a sense of conflict, echoing the novel’s broader themes about human nature and the effects of unchecked ambition.

Allusion Examples in Literature (Continued)

10) jaws by peter benchley.

Although many are now more familiar with Steven Spielberg’s film, Jaws originated as a novel, which was published in 1974. In his novel, Benchley tells the story of Martin Brody, a police chief who must contend with a killer shark. Throughout the novel, Benchley alludes to the character of Captain Ahab in Moby Dick through his characterization of Quint. Quint is a fisherman and shark hunter, whose pursuit of the shark mirrors Ahab’s obsession with the white whale. The fate of Quint’s character is one of the most prominent allusion examples in Jaws (spoiler ahead!). Like Ahab, Quint becomes entangled in harpoon ropes attached to the shark, which pulls him underwater to his death.

11) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Although many allusion examples reference literary works, they can also be historical in nature. This section of dialogue from To Kill a Mockingbird is a great example:

“Are we poor, Atticus?”

Atticus nodded. “We are indeed.”

Jem’s nose wrinkled. “Are we as poor as the Cunninghams”?

“Not exactly. The Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them hardest.”

In this passage, Lee uses “the crash” to allude to the 1929 stock market crash that caused the Great Depression. Recognizing this example of allusion would help the reader understand To Kill a Mockingbird ’s social and historical context.

12) Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Arguably Shakespeare’s most famous play, Romeo and Juliet is also frequently alluded to in other works. How many times have you heard a couple in literature or film described as a pair of star-crossed lovers? However, like the majority of Shakespeare’s plays and poetry, Romeo and Juliet also contains many allusion examples. One such example occurs in Act 1, Scene 1:

Well in that hit you miss. She’ll not be hit

With Cupid’s arrow. She hath Dian’s wit,

And, in strong proof of chastity well armed,

From love’s weak childish bow she lives uncharmed.

In this passage, Shakespeare alludes to two mythological figures. They include Cupid, the Roman god of love, and Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting, women, and childbirth. Romeo says the above lines in reference to his feelings for Rosaline and her lack of reciprocity. His allusion to Cupid speaks to this conflict, suggesting that even Cupid’s arrow can’t make Rosaline share Romeo’s feelings. Strengthening this allusion, Romeo also references Diana, a figure who vowed lifelong celibacy. By alluding to Diana, Romeo suggests that Rosaline is resolute in her decision not to pursue a relationship with him.

13) Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

A classic dystopian novel, Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 offers both timely and timeless critiques of state-sponsored censorship. Bradbury’s text utilizes many allusion examples including the following historical allusion:

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 feeling an eruption of Vesuvius.

Here, Bradbury references Mount Vesuvius, a volcano that famously buried the city of Pompeii in 79 A.D. Through this allusion, Bradbury suggested that Mildred felt panicked when she left the parlor.

14) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

A classic of Gothic literature, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has become a fixture in many high school and college curricula. However, what many readers may not realize is that Frankenstein is not the full title of Shelley’s novel. When it was originally published, Shelley included a subtitle: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus . That subtitle is, itself, an allusion that can help the reader understand the meaning of Shelley’s novel. Prometheus is a figure in Greek mythology, who created humans and gave them fire. This latter action angers Zeus, who dooms Prometheus to eternal punishment and torment. Recognizing this allusion can help readers see the parallels between Prometheus and Frankenstein, who also plays God by creating new life and, ultimately, suffers for it.

15) Firestarter by Stephen King

Let’s conclude with a slightly more modern example. Stephen King is one of our most prolific contemporary writers, having published 65 novels and novellas. These include his 1980 novel, Firestarter , which tells the story of a young girl with pyrokinetic abilities. Included below is one allusion example from King’s novel:

Rainbird was a troll, an orc, a balrog of a man.

Fantasy genre enthusiasts will immediately recognize this allusion to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, who wrote The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Orcs and the balrog are monstrous creatures that exist in Tolkien’s mythology. In describing Rainbird, a central antagonist in Firestarter , this way, King paints a portrait of a brutish and malevolent figure.

Final Thoughts: 15 Examples of Allusion

As these examples show, allusion is an extremely versatile device that appears in all writing genres. From a reader’s standpoint, allusion can also make a work more engaging, allowing you to draw connections between the media you have consumed. If you struggle to identify or understand allusion examples, that’s okay! It takes time and practice to learn how to identify and analyze allusions. Plus, as many of the aforementioned examples indicate, allusions frequently reference classic works, like the Bible, Shakespeare, and Greek myths. Refamiliarizing yourself with these works can make it significantly easier to notice allusions and incorporate them into your own writing. So, maybe it’s time to update your reading list?

Interested in studying the craft of writing? Consider reading the following posts:

• 50 Common English Idioms and Their Meanings
• Best Colleges for English
• Best Colleges for Creative Writing
• What is a Prepositional Phrase?
• 20 Poetic Devices High Schoolers Must Know
• 30 Literary Devices High School Students Must Know
• High School Success

Emily Smith

Emily earned a BA in English and Communication Studies from UNC Chapel Hill and an MA in English from Wake Forest University. While at UNC and Wake Forest, she served as a tutor and graduate assistant in each school’s writing center, where she worked with undergraduate and graduate students from all academic backgrounds. She also worked as an editorial intern for the Wake Forest University Press as well as a visiting lecturer in the Department of English at WFU, and currently works as a writing center director in western North Carolina.

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What is an Allusion? Examples, Definitions, and How to Create Them

Allusion is a clever nudge, subtly referencing well-known people, events, or works, inviting readers to connect the dots and appreciate the hidden link.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, learning how to effectively incorporate allusions can be a game-changer for your writing. Allusions are indirect references that add depth, meaning, and a touch of sophistication to your work, helping you connect with your audience and showcase your literary prowess. In this article, we’ll explore what allusions are, why they matter, and how to use them like a pro.

So, are you ready to unlock the power of allusions and elevate your writing to new heights? Let’s begin our journey together!

What are Allusions, Anyway?

Let’s kick things off by defining what allusions are. They’re those sneaky, indirect references to people, places, events, or other literary works that can add depth and intrigue to your writing. Think of them as little Easter eggs for your readers to discover and savor!

Why Bother with Allusions?

You might be wondering, “Why should I even care about allusions?” Great question! Allusions are like secret weapons in your writing arsenal. They can:

• Add layers of meaning: Your work becomes richer and more engaging when you sprinkle in allusions, giving your readers a deeper understanding of your message.
• Connect with your audience: By using allusions, you can create a shared experience with your readers, building a bridge between your world and theirs.
• Show off your literary chops: Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like showing off their smarts? Allusions can be a subtle way to demonstrate your knowledge and impress your readers.

How to Use Allusions Like a Pro

Ready to level up your allusion game? Here are some tips to help you nail it:

• Know your audience: Make sure the allusions you choose will resonate with your readers. If your audience won’t recognize the reference, it’ll be like an inside joke that falls flat.
• Don’t overdo it: Allusions are like seasoning – a little goes a long way. Use them sparingly to avoid confusing or overwhelming your readers.
• Keep it subtle: The beauty of allusions lies in their indirect nature. Don’t spell everything out for your readers; let them discover and interpret the allusion on their own.

Allusion Inspiration

Now that you’re all fired up to start using allusions, where can you find inspiration? The possibilities are endless! You can borrow from:

• Literature: Classic novels, plays, poems, or even modern works
• Pop culture: Movies, TV shows, songs, and more
• History: Significant events, famous figures, or even lesser-known tidbits
• Mythology: Greek, Roman, Norse, or any other pantheon that tickles your fancy

Examples of Allusions in Literature

To truly appreciate the power of allusions, let’s take a look at some examples from well-known literary works:

• In “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, the title itself is an allusion to the poem “Comin’ Through the Rye” by Robert Burns. This reference adds layers of meaning to the novel’s themes of innocence and adolescence.
• In “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the character of Atticus Finch alludes to the mythological figure of the wise centaur Chiron, who taught heroes like Achilles. This allusion highlights Atticus’s role as a mentor and moral compass.
• In “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley, the title is an allusion to Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest.” The phrase “brave new world” comes from a line spoken by Miranda, who marvels at the new people she encounters. Huxley’s allusion points to the artificial nature of the society he envisions.

Allusions in Your Everyday Life

You might be surprised to discover that allusions are everywhere, even in your day-today life! Keep an eye out for these sneaky references in:

• Advertising: Advertisers love using allusions to connect with their audience and create memorable messages. From the Energizer Bunny’s allusion to the Duracell Bunny to Nike’s iconic slogan “Just Do It,” allusions are a powerful tool in the world of advertising.
• Movies and TV shows: Writers often use allusions to pay homage to other works or to create a sense of familiarity for viewers. For example, many movies and TV shows reference Shakespeare’s works, like “10 Things I Hate About You,” which is a modern adaptation of “The Taming of the Shrew.”
• Social media: Allusions are alive and well on social media platforms, where users often reference memes, pop culture, and historical events in their posts and comments. Keep your eyes peeled for allusions in your feed, and you’ll start noticing them everywhere!

Allusion Pitfalls to Avoid

Before you go allusion-crazy in your writing, keep these potential pitfalls in mind:

• Obscure references: While it’s tempting to show off your extensive knowledge, using overly obscure allusions might alienate your readers. Aim for a balance between the familiar and the unexpected.
• Allusion overload: Remember, less is more when it comes to allusions. If your work is packed with references, it can become difficult to follow and distract from your main message.
• Cultural sensitivity: Be mindful of the cultural context when using allusions, and avoid references that could be offensive or inappropriate for your audience.

Final Thoughts on Allusions

And there you have it, folks! A deep dive into the enchanting world of allusions. Now it’s time for you to harness their power and spice up your writing. Just remember to use them wisely and with a dash of finesse.

In the words of the great William Shakespeare (yes, that’s an allusion), “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” So go forth and make your writing performance one for the ages with the help of allusions!

If you’re thirsty for more writing knowledge, head over here to  learn all 74 literary devices .

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Table of Contents

Introduction.

Allusion in writing is a potent literary device that writers employ to add depth, layers of meaning, and cultural richness to their works. It is an indirect reference, a figure of speech capable of evoking a myriad of ideas and associations through just a few carefully chosen words.

This article explores the nuances of allusion in writing, unraveling its various forms, providing practical tips for usage, and offering a deeper understanding of its significance

What Is Allusion in Writing?

At its core, allusion relies on the reader’s ability to grasp the hidden meaning behind the words. It’s a literary technique that invites readers to draw upon their knowledge of literature, history, mythology, or art to fully appreciate the intended message. By making subtle references to places, events, literary works, myths, or art, writers can create a tapestry of meaning that resonates with readers on multiple levels.

Describing someone as “Romeo” makes an allusion to the famous young lover in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

Why is allusion used in writing?

There are many advantages when you use an allusion:

• You don’t need to explain or clarify a problem in a lengthy way.
• You make the reader become active by reflecting on the analogy.
• You make your message memorable.

15 Key Characteristics of Allusion

• Indirect Reference: Allusion involves making indirect references to places, events, literary works, myths, or art, requiring readers to infer the intended meaning.
• Literary Device: It is a recognized literary device, a figure of speech used by writers to enhance the depth and complexity of their writing.
• Conciseness: Allusion operates with brevity, stimulating a range of ideas and associations using only a few carefully chosen words, contributing to the economy of language.
• Reader Familiarity: The effectiveness of allusion depends on the reader’s familiarity with the referenced material, encouraging an active engagement with the text.
• Cultural Connection: Allusion often draws upon cultural elements such as literature, history, mythology, or art, creating a connection between the text and broader cultural knowledge.
• Symbolic Depth: Allusion adds symbolic depth to the writing, allowing authors to convey complex ideas or emotions by tapping into universally understood references.
• Implicit or Explicit: Allusions can be either implicit, subtly woven into the text, or explicit, clearly stated, depending on the author’s stylistic choice.
• Enhances Meaning: Allusion serves the purpose of enhancing the meaning of the text, providing additional layers of interpretation for readers who recognize the references.
• Memorability: Allusion can make a message or text more memorable by evoking familiar cultural touchpoints, making it more likely to resonate with the audience.
• Cultural Timelessness: Allusions can transcend time, as they draw from cultural, historical, or literary elements that continue to be relevant across different eras.
• Subtle Comparison: Allusion allows for subtle comparisons between the characters, events, or themes in the text and the referenced source, enriching the narrative.
• Reader Engagement: By requiring readers to actively engage their knowledge and understanding, allusion promotes a deeper connection between the audience and the text.
• Artistic Expression: Writers use allusion as a form of artistic expression, showcasing their ability to weave diverse elements into a cohesive and meaningful narrative.
• Evoke Emotion: Allusions can evoke specific emotions tied to the referenced material, leveraging the emotional weight of familiar stories or cultural symbols.
• Broad Applicability: Allusion is a versatile tool that can be applied in various forms, including historical, mythological, literary, biblical, and pop culture references, making it adaptable to different genres and styles.

6 Different Types of Literary Allusions

• Historical Allusions: Alluding to significant historical events or figures to enrich the narrative.
• Mythological Allusions: Drawing from mythology to imbue the writing with archetypal symbolism and cultural resonance.
• Literary Allusions: Referencing other works of literature to establish connections between different texts.
• Biblical Allusions: Incorporating elements from religious texts to add depth and meaning to the narrative.
• Artistic Allusions: Evoking imagery from the world of art to enhance visual and emotional impact.
• Pop Culture Allusions: Tapping into contemporary culture to make the writing relevant and relatable to modern readers.

Common Examples of Allusion

• David was being such a scrooge ! (Scrooge” is the allusion, and it refers to Charles Dicken’s novel, A Christmas Carol . Scrooge was very greedy and unkind, which David was being compared to.)
• The software included a Trojan Horse. (An allusion to the Trojan horse from Greek mythology)
• To wash one’s hands of it. (An allusion to Pontius Pilatus, who sentenced Jesus to death, but washed his hands afterward to demonstrate that he was not to blame for it.)
• To be as old as Methusalem (An allusion to Joseph’s grandfather, who was 969 years old according to the Old Testament)

4 Examples from Literature

• In J.K. Rowling’s “ Harry Potter ” series, the character Albus Dumbledore often dispenses wisdom and quotes that allude to historical and philosophical concepts. Readers familiar with these references appreciate the deeper layers of Dumbledore’s character.
• In George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” the allegorical reference to historical events like the Russian Revolution strategically aligns with key moments in the plot, providing insightful commentary on political power and corruption.
• F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” subtly alludes to the myth of Icarus when describing Gatsby’s rise and fall, allowing readers to draw connections between the character and the classic Greek tragedy without overt explanation.
• In William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies,” the character Simon embodies Christ-like qualities, creating an allusion that enhances the thematic exploration of morality and civilization in the novel.

How to use allusion in writing?

Using allusion in writing requires a thoughtful approach to ensure resonance with your audience and effective integration into your narrative.

In literature, allusion serves as a powerful tool for writers to convey complex ideas with brevity. By referencing well-known characters, stories, or historical events, authors can tap into a collective cultural understanding, instantly connecting with readers.

Allusions can be explicit or implicit, woven seamlessly into the narrative to enhance themes, provide insight, or create parallels between the text and external sources.

Here’s a guide on how to adeptly employ allusion:

• Understand Your Audience: Before integrating allusions, comprehend the cultural and literary background of your readers. Aligning your references with their familiarity strengthens the impact of the allusion, creating a more profound connection.
• Strategize Allusion Placement: Treat allusions as integral elements of your plot. Strategically plan their placement to coincide with key moments, themes, or character development. Well-thought-out allusions can serve as narrative anchors, enriching the overall storytelling experience.
• Demonstrate, Don’t Explicitly State: Allusions thrive on subtlety. Instead of explicitly stating the connection, allow the reference to emerge naturally within the narrative. This approach invites readers to actively engage with the text, discovering the allusion organically and deepening their connection to the story.
• Craft Character Inspirations: Infusing your characters with traits inspired by well-known figures through allusion can be a powerful storytelling tool. Drawing parallels between your characters and recognizable personalities adds depth and nuance to their characterization. This technique not only defines your characters more vividly but also creates a sense of familiarity that resonates with readers. For instance, by subtly alluding to a character’s “Romeo-like charm,” readers instantly grasp certain qualities without extensive exposition.

In conclusion, allusion is a versatile and impactful tool that writers can wield to elevate their craft. By understanding the various types of allusions, exploring their applications in literature, and incorporating them thoughtfully into their writing, authors can unlock new dimensions of meaning and resonance. Whether drawing inspiration from history, mythology, literature, or contemporary culture, mastering the art of allusion adds depth and nuance to storytelling, leaving a lasting impression on readers.

Related Pages:

More figures of speech

Allusion Defined: 25+ Allusion Examples from Literature & Life

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The greatest literary allusion examples from movies, television programs or conversations demonstrate its power. It does attract attention and creates shared understanding but it’s difficult to weave in their own. Your allusion may occur a lot more times than you realize. Whatever your story, film, speech or conversation is all about, your target audiences need this sense and recognition. List the easiest and simplest ways to draw them in.

Allusions. Definition

Allusion (ale-LOO-shuhn) refers to textual information about something outside the context of a document. The authors use the knowledge of readers’ prior experiences in relational matters for emotion improvement. Literary allusions are usually implicit, or indirect; readers should connect them themselves. Allusions can relate to another text, author, characters, time, place or event. Allusion originates from Latin alludere meaning “to refer to”. Alluder comes from “ludere”, meaning playing, and inspired a number of other English phrases such as collusion, delusion and illusion. Allusions.

The functions of allusions

The writer uses allusions as an easy and accessible tool for explaining complicated ideas. Take a look at hints as golden nuggets, once uncovered a reader will be able to gain a more logical understanding of text. It’s an added bonus that it’ll keep readers engaged; someone skipping through texts may not find these very short references. Authors can make reference for specific audiences by generating specific feelings. For example biblical implication appeals to readers with Christian backgrounds allusion to the Greek lore can promote imagination and epic heroism.

Different types of references

As shown in the following example, an allusion may refer to countless sources. The different type in a referenced phrase varies depending upon the references referenced to it. This is some typical type of allusion. There can be various interpretations of allusions, both focusing on explicit or implicit references. It is usually considered indirect or implied. The writer is able to offer an explanation, but the reader is unable to find it by himself or herself. In some instances direct or explicit references are references rather than allusions, and direct references in literary texts are intertextually referenced.

Understanding Allusions

This will help define the term “allusion”. But in order to truly understand allusions it is essential to understand their historical significance as a literature tool. The story is told through allusion. If the author creates memories in readers, it will help them in a deeper manner within the story. Readers can identify the allusion and recognize the references feeling like an insider. All of this ties the story back to the reader’s experience. It can be a challenge to differentiate between literary allusion versus literary device, such as the following:

Allusions in Classical Mythology

The myths of Greece and Romans have largely been reconstructed through the decades. Allude to Greek or Roman gods or myths, and those who understand them pay more attention. What are the most common examples in this list? The allusion to Bacchus/Dilonysus — the god of wine and partying — helps the viewer and neighbors know how to expect a celebration. It alludes to mythical ruler Midas who turned everything (or everyone) into gold. Midas Tire Company used this metaphor to convey the notion that whatever projects it touches will turn “to Gold,” that’s the result of the best outcome possible.

Allusion Examples in Film & Television

There are some examples of allusions in movies and television shows that are shown here. When Cameron reaches his parents car and soaring out of a parking lot on a Chicago street in a car park his valet cannot help him take it for a joyride. Teen comedy is an adaptation in modern form of Jane Austen’s “Emma” in 1815 although some viewers unfamiliar with the story may enjoy the movie. An episode describes the manet paintings of the French poet-critic Baudelaire: “An interesting man.” The results of this analysis are shown below.

Historical references examples

The world is rich in interesting characters, some are notorious, some are less so. This example highlights just a few figures that are currently attracting our attention. Do you think we are poor astrologers? Atheis smiled. Yes. It’s true. Jemmy’s brows rubbed. How are people in the United States poorer than the Cunninghams? The families in the Cunninghams are farmers and the crash hit them the hardest.” The character Atticus Finch references the crash and says that.

Biblical references

In fact bibles contain numerous references that are used every day in spoken language. This allusion is an allusion to a famous Bible story which describes someone willing to help a stranger. This biblical allusion refers to the crucifixion of Jesus, which means burden or pain that should be tolerated or accepted. The references to the biblical character Job describe one with extreme patience despite unusual situations.

Allusions to popular culture

The popular cultural reference can differ. In this show the Doctor says “Who do you want to talk about?” You were Romeo. You thrown sand and my dad told Julie. Keep your head down…'” The lyrics reference the protagonists of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Romeo jumped on Juliets front door and threw stones in the garden.

Allusions in everyday speech

You have likely heard different examples of these. The mythological connection between Cupides and the Roman god. It may also suggest Greek God Atlas. We always connect and utilise these connections to bring people into conversation and writing.

Writing Allusions

Allusions are very effective literary devices for all literary forms. Writing can make an allusion to character development, associating them with other known characters or archetypes. Literary allusions may be used by readers by contrast with other literary works. In addition, an allusion can provide exposition to an underlying narrative when it refers to the story of a character or its characters.

How allusions work?

For comprehension, go back to daily conversation. Consider the following phrase: A reader’s familiarity with the stories helps them understand the references and the author’s hopes. These capabilities make allusions an extremely useful literary method. Instead, the author can add a relevant reference to the topic and provide it accompanied with some meaning.

Examples of Allusion to Classical Mythology

Writers usually use allusions purely as literary tools to provide an incidental mention of something to create context. Greek and / or Roman mythology is generally used in literature directly or indirectly because most readers know of classical mythology, stories, and characters. Several classic mythological references were found here:

Examples of Allusion in everyday speech

People often make references during conversations everyday but sometimes without understanding that or without knowing what they are saying or saying. Often such references to popular culture refer to movies or books. This list a number of common references in allusions in everyday speech.

2 Tips for Identifying a Literary Allusion in a Text

You probably noticed some of our references are less obvious than others. It can seem impossible to tell what you are seeing are literary allusions. This article offers some tips for the identification of a textual allusion.

Get familiar with common allusions

Many writers use identical references in their writing. If you learn more quickly and easily the major characters of the poems and stories you will know the best ways to identify them. According to a recent article biblical recitations and references to Greek and Roman mythological texts have been widespread in Western texts. There are several examples of mythological allusions to Greek and Romans. You’ll find more examples at StudyLib.com. If you want to learn more about Biblical allusions please visit the list below.

Famous examples of Biblical references

The Bible has become an important source for authors using literary references. Here is an important example from a Biblical legend:

Allusion vs. Analogie

Analogical and allusions have completely different meaning and a different meaning. Analogs are comparing things with objects with people and situations. There are certain characteristics resonant to both objects and things. On the contrary, an allusion refers only to something, or a situation, or someone. There aren’t any similarities between them. It seems that they are similar; only the references point to what is being referenced in the text itself.

Examples of Allusion in Literature

As a literary technique, references are used as contexts in a literary work using reference to a widely-accepted person, place, event or other literature work. In this way allusions help to establish an interaction between writer’s creation and their connection with something they know. This can help to develop character. Setting and contextualising stories. Most literary allusions cannot be explained directly to readers, unless the reader is able to discern it. Below are examples from famous literary texts that use allusion:

What are some examples of allusion?

Some examples of allusion in the daily discourse. He looks sus. … Her hands were on the golden ticket. … He was old and hungry. … I would rather click on the heels. … If I don’t leave until midnight my car could become pumpkins. … The girl smiles like a Cheshire cat.

What is an example of an allusion in literature?

Chocolate cupcakes have a heel. This is an allusion to Achilles heel or Greek myths of his Achilles. The weak points of the Speaker are chocolate cupcakes.

What is an example of a allusion sentence?

Examples of sentences for reference. There are hints that Potter was Harry Potter’s brother. Isaiah has an allusion to the Hebrew Exodus. Several supposed references to history or references to historical figures require precise dates.

What are famous allusions?

A large collection of famous references. Achilles heel – one of those weaknesses. … Adonis – an attractive young man who loved him. Apollo was a physically perfect man and is known for his beauty and music.

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