Definition

Allusion: an indirect and usually brief reference to a person, place, or event.

This reference is probably explicit, but its meaning can be understood only if the person, place, or event is well known by all or known by the reader. An allusion can help the reader develop their understanding of the text.

Purpose
We, as readers, need to know what allusions are so we can identify them in our reading.
We need to be able to recognize allusions in the books we read because they are usually important in our overall understanding of the book. For example, if the name of a character was an allusion to a different character in another literary work, that similarity could reveal something about the character that we wouldnt have known if we hadnt found the allusion.

For Example:
If you were trying to instill confidence in a friend and said, Use the force, that would be an allusion to the text Stars Wars.

How about this phrase

Its elementary my dear Watson! It is an allusion to The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Allusions
can be made to a book, a song, movie, or a poem.

Even visual allusions can be made to art or film. Movies that are parodies are filled with allusions.
Comedians rely on allusions. They allude to current events in a humorous matter. Comedians rely on allusions

Writers often make allusions to Greek Myths in a text. Myths are ancient stories about gods and heroes. Many words used as allusions come from the names in the myths.

Herculean Strength

Hercules
was the strongest man in the world.

The Greek half-god had to perform 12 tasks so difficult that they seemed impossible. By the end of these tasks, he was a hero to the people.

Allusions to Hercules
He had many Herculean tasks ahead of him. Meaningtasks that seem impossible

An Allusion
Supermans Herculean strength made it easy for him hold the world in his hands.

Allusions to Hercules
The weight lifter used his Herculean strength to lift the 200 pound weight.

Meaningvery strong

Achilles Heel
Perimeter shooting has been Louisvilles Achilles heel all season.

Achilles
was a great warrior.

When he was a baby, his mother dipped him in a magical river. Where ever the water touched him, he could not be harmed. But his mother held him by his heel, so that was his one weakness. He was defeated when an enemy struck his heel.

Allusions to Achilles
I cant read your answer because of your messy handwriting! the teacher said. Neatness has always been my Achilles heel! replied the student.

Meaningsomeones Achilles heel means his or her area of weakness

Odysseus or the Odyssey

Honda Odyssey

Odysseus
was a Greek king who went to war against the Trojans. During the war, he hid his men inside a large wooden horse. Then he gave the horse to the Trojans as a gift. The Trojans brought the horse inside the city walls. That night, the Greeks attacked.

The Odyssey is a very long poem about Odysseuss long journey home after the Trojan war.

Allusions to Odyssey/Odysseus
The family set out on their 24 hour odyssey to Florida for vacation.

Meaningany long trip or adventure

The Trojan Horse

The Trojan Horse

was the large, wooden horse that Odysseus sent as a gift to the Trojans. The Greek warriors were hiding inside. The Trojans brought the horse inside the city walls. That night, the Greeks attacked and won the war.

Allusions to a Trojan Horse

Try some of the casserole, Mom begged Bryan, but Bryan was afraid it was a Trojan horse.

Meaningsomething that wasnt quite what it seemed

Pandoras Box

Pandora
was a woman who opened a box to see what was inside. She let out all the evils of the world. Pandoras simple act had terrible effects she didnt expect.

Allusions to Pandora
Dont worry about your homework. Lets go see a movie, Allison persuaded Holly. But Holly had a feeling inside that blowing off her homework might be like opening Pandoras box. Meaninga tempting opportunity that could be disastrous; something that leads to a lot of unexpected trouble

King Midas
had the power to turn everything he touched into gold.

Allusions to King Midas

Ron got a 100% on his Spelling test at school, had persuaded his sister to take his turn doing the dishes, and had just beat the 7th level of Mario Brothers on the wii. Today I have the Midas touch! he proclaimed. Meaningwhatever he or she does turns out well

Questions?