{"id":4153,"date":"2013-06-27T20:53:53","date_gmt":"2013-06-27T20:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4153"},"modified":"2026-03-26T09:26:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:26:42","slug":"allusion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/allusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Allusions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_Jv9Heayc0vI\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_Jv9Heayc0vI\" data-source-videoID=\"Jv9Heayc0vI\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Allusions Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Allusions\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_Jv9Heayc0vI:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_Jv9Heayc0vI {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/896-allusions-2.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_Jv9Heayc0vI\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_Jv9Heayc0vI\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Allusions\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_Jv9Heayc0vI\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_Jv9Heayc0vI\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_Jv9Heayc0vI\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction 1ql_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"1ql\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"1ql_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"1ql\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#What_is_an_Allusion\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">What is an Allusion?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Allusions_in_Everyday_Speech\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Allusions in Everyday Speech<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Allusion_Examples\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Allusion Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Allusions_in_Your_Own_Writing\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Allusions in Your Own Writing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Review\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<h2><span id=\"What_is_an_Allusion\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>What is an Allusion?<\/h2>\n<p>Allusion is a literary device or <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/figure-of-speech\/\">figure of speech<\/a> that refers back to a previous event, work, or story. Allusions are left unexplained and are often indirect, so it is up to the reader to piece together the meaning of an allusion using their own knowledge or research. Today, we will look at some examples of allusion from literature before briefly discussing some ways that you can use allusions to enhance your own writing.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Allusions_in_Everyday_Speech\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Allusions in Everyday Speech<\/h2>\n<p>\nNow, like I mentioned, an important element of allusion is that it is a passing reference\u2014it is left unexplained, relying instead on the knowledge of the reader to piece it together. As such, the writer trusts that the intended reader has the knowledge required to understand the allusion. <\/p>\n<p>For instance, in everyday speech one might say, \u201cWay to go, Romeo!\u201d without any sort of explanation as to what that phrase means. This is of course an allusion to Shakespeare\u2019s character from <em>Romeo &#038; Juliet<\/em> that requires the listener to have knowledge of the play (most of us do on some level, whether we\u2019ve read the play or not). We know automatically that the person being called \u201cRomeo\u201d is in some way romantically involved, although the <em>context<\/em> is <em>key<\/em> in order to determine what exactly was meant by the phrase. If said with a sarcastic tone, for example, the speaker might be criticizing this person for doing something that is in fact very unromantic. Ultimately, \u201cRomeo\u201d is an allusion to a historical, literary work.<\/p>\n<p>Other allusions in everyday speech include \u201cYou\u2019re a regular Einstein\u201d or \u201cThis place is like the Garden of Eden\u201d. Most of us know that the person is not literally Einstein in this case and that the place is not literally the Garden of Eden; instead, we use our knowledge of Einstein (\u201cgenius\u201d) and the Garden of Eden (\u201cperfect paradise\u201d) in order to interpret the speaker\u2019s intended meaning.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Allusion_Examples\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Allusion Examples<\/h2>\n<p>\nAllusions are commonly used in literary works. Experienced authors refer back to Shakespeare quite often, for instance, or Biblical events and Greek tragedies. These older sources are quite popular, though newer sources are also used. Before we get any further, let\u2019s look at some specific examples of allusions:<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Gettysburg_Address\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Gettysburg Address<\/h3>\n<p>\nMartin Luther King, Jr. used the phrase \u201cFive score years ago\u2026\u201d in his \u201cI Have a Dream\u201d speech. This is a reference to President Lincoln\u2019s Gettysburg Address, which originally began with \u201cFour score and seven years ago\u2026\u201d As you can see, King\u2019s phrasing is a subtle reference, hence an allusion! By doing this, he was able to accomplish a few things: 1) It connects the Civil Rights movement with the abolition of slavery, thus showing the pressing nature of both and suggesting that gaining equal rights is a crucial next step in terms of social progress 2) It refers back to a moment in history of great significance 3) It recalls, and by doing so, adopts the authority of President Lincoln. <\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Big_Brother\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Big Brother<\/h3>\n<p>\nAnother, more modern example would be Big Brother. Big Brother is used quite often in writing and in everyday speech. This refers to the always-watching presence from George Orwell\u2019s <em>1984<\/em> which tells the story of a dystopian world under a constant state of government surveillance. When used in writing or speech, Big Brother is a way of referring to mass surveillance or governmental abuse of power. Note again, too, that this is understood if one is familiar with the plot of Orwell\u2019s novel. In this case, using Big Brother also functions as shorthand because it is much quicker to use this term than to get into a long discussion of government abuse and mass surveillance. <\/p>\n<h3>Achilles&#8217; Heel<\/h3>\n<p>\nAchilles\u2019 heel alludes to Homer\u2019s <em>Iliad<\/em>, the Greek epic. The epic\u2019s hero, Achilles, has one point of vulnerability\u2014his heel. As such, references to Achilles\u2019 heel are often used to refer to a point of great vulnerability. This can also be used jokingly. For example, one might say that chocolate is their Achilles\u2019 heel, which is of course an exaggeration.   This might be a way of using an allusion to avoid saying something bland like \u201cI really, really like chocolate.\u201d  <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Allusions_in_Your_Own_Writing\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Allusions in Your Own Writing<\/h2>\n<p>\nSo what about using allusions in your own writing? There are several reasons for doing so:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Firstly<\/strong>, allusions allow you to simplify ideas: Think back to the Big Brother example \u2013 this allows you to get your point across without going into a deep discussion about government surveillance and totalitarianism. In this way, the idea is both simplified and you don\u2019t need to spend a lot of time explaining it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Secondly<\/strong>, alluding to events can create powerful parallels: Think back to the King example and his use of \u201cFive score years ago\u2026\u201d the phrase which echoed Lincoln\u2019s phrase in the Gettysburg Address. Consider, for example, using similar phrases from history when writing a persuasive essay. If you\u2019re writing a persuasive essay with the goal of persuading readers to take action on climate change, then you might think of famous phrases or texts from history and recycle or recall these phrases or ideas. Which famous phrases have been used in the past when fighting for social causes? These might just work as parallels for the present fight against global warming.<\/p>\n<p>And <strong>thirdly<\/strong>, a little rhetorical flourish can go a long way: Allusions usually make your writing more interesting. For one, they show knowledge of literature, history, and culture in general. In this way, you are able to produce <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/credible\/\">credibility<\/a> in your writing (you might know this as <em>ethos<\/em>); you, in a sense, become more trustworthy and authoritative. While I wouldn\u2019t suggest simply \u201cshowing off,\u201d many teachers and professors might find allusions to literary or historical sources impressive. <\/p>\n<p>As you can see, allusions are very useful literary devices or figures of speech used in everyday speech and writing. Learning to use them thoughtfully in your writing can really go a long way toward enhancing the effect of your work!<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2><span id=\"Review\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Review<\/h2>\n<p>\nBefore we go, here\u2019s a review question to test your knowledge:<\/p>\n<p>Which of these statements about allusions is <em>false<\/em>?<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>Allusions refer to previous events<\/li>\n<li>Allusions can help simplify ideas<\/li>\n<li>Allusions can make your writing more interesting<\/li>\n<li>Allusions explain what they refer to for the reader<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer1')\">Show Answer<\/button><\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer1\" style=\"display:none; box-shadow: 1.5px 1.5px 5px grey; background-color:#E0E0E0; padding: 30px; padding-bottom: 15px; width: 60%; margin: auto; text-align: center;\">\n<strong>The correct answer is D.<\/strong>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nRemember, if you are explaining your reference, it is no longer an allusion.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for watching, and happy studying!<\/p>\n<ul class=\"citelist\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/examples.yourdictionary.com\/examples-of-allusion.html\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cExamples of Allusion.\u201d 2019. YourDictionary. <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/literarydevices.net\/allusion\/\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cAllusion &#8211; Examples and Definition of Allusion.\u201d Literary Devices. March 30, 2015<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/literaryterms.net\/when-and-how-to-write-an-allusion\/\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cWhen and How to Write an Allusion | LiteraryTerms.net.\u201d 2015. Literary Terms.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Allusion\"target=\"_blank\">\u201cAllusion.\u201d Wikipedia.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/writing\/\">Return to Writing Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction toggle(obj) {\n          var obj=document.getElementById(obj);\n          if (obj.style.display == \"block\") obj.style.display = \"none\";\n          else obj.style.display = \"block\";\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Writing Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99997,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4153","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","7":"page_category-writing-videos","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4153"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":261058,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4153\/revisions\/261058"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}