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AllusionsPowerPoint adapted from

Mary Lou Long

Take notes on this …

M’Kaaay?

That was an allusion to

South Park’s Mr. Mackey!

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What is an Allusion?

Allusion: A reference to something in art, history, literature, etc. that the writer (or creator) expects the reader/audience to recognize.

The reader/audience must have prior knowledge in order to “get” an allusion. See if you “get” the following:

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Scrooge

Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” was a miser, thus a small bottle.

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Boston

Hint: Revolutionary War “Party”

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cummings

Ever heard of e.e.? What was he famous for? What was his trademark?

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ShelleyLook carefully at the bottle!

Frankenstein? Get it? Who wrote it?

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Stirring

Yep. “Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

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WellsHint: H.G.

And he wrote __ _______ ___.

The Invisible Man

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Stoker

Come on! Look at the two little puncture wounds!

Bram Stoker wrote Dracula.

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Marilyn

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Hitchcock

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PsychoHave you heard of the famous shower curtain in the horror movie Psycho? Sorry, can’t show you the original. It’s too gory.

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Biblical Allusion

Listen to U2’s song “Pride (In the Name of Love)”:

One man caught on a barbed wire fenceOne man he resistOne man washed on an empty beachOne man betrayed with a kiss

What is this alluding to?

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Historical Allusion

Listen to U2’s song “Pride (In the Name of Love)”:

Early morning, April 4Shot rings out in the Memphis skyFree at last, they took your lifeThey could not take your pride

Who/what event is this alluding to?

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Why do writers use allusions? 1. To add richness to their writing 2. To create additional levels of

meaning with a known comparison 3. To give a “pat on the back” for

intelligent readers (like you) who understand and appreciate allusions