WHAT IS AN ALLUSION?
An allusion is a brief reference to a
historical event, a literary work
(including the Bible), a mythological
character or story, a piece of music or
art, a movie, or just a well-known
person.
THE WORD “ALLUSION” IS A
NOUN; “A LINE IN KATY
PERRY’S ‘DARK HORSE’ HAS
AN ALLUSION TO GREEK
MYTHOLOGY
THE WORD “ALLUDE” IS A
VERB; “ARE YOU ALLUDING TO
THE FACT THAT I AM DRESSED
A BIT LIKE MARY POPPINS
TODAY?”
THERE IS AN ALLUSION TO “THE BRAZEN GIANT OF
GREEK FAME” (THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES) IN THE POEM
“THE NEW COLOSSUS” ABOUT THE STATUE OF LIBERTY.
EDNA MODE, COSTUME-MAKER FOR THE SUPERHEROES
IN THE INCREDIBLES, WAS AN ALLUSION TO EDITH HEAD,
A REAL HOLLYWOOD COSTUME DESIGNER WHO ALSO
WORE BIG BLACK, ROUND GLASSES AND HAD BLACK,
STRAIGHT HAIR WITH BANGS.
THE HOME ALONE POSTER WITH THE BOY CLUTCHING
HIS CHEEKS WITH HIS MOUTH OPEN, SCREAMING, IS AN
ALLUSION TO THE FAMOUS PAINTING “THE SCREAM” BY
EDVARD MUNCH
“TOTO, I HAVE A FEELING WE’RE NOT IN KANSAS
ANYMORE” –A LINE FROM THE WIZARD OF OZ– HAS
BEEN REUSED IN DOZENS OF MOVIES TO INDICATE WHEN
THE CHARACTERS FOUND THEMSELVES IN A STRANGE
OR UNFAMILIAR PLACE
The very first episode of
90210 was titled “We’re
Not in Kansas Anymore”
THE APPLE LOGO IS AN ALLUSION TO THE APPLE FROM
THE GARDEN OF EDEN—GOD TOLD ADAM AND EVE NOT
TO EAT THE FRUIT OF THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE. THE
APPLE WITH THE BITE OUT OF IT PICTURED IN THE APPLE
LOGO IMPLIES THAT PEOPLE WHO USE APPLY PRODUCTS
WILL GAIN KNOWLEDGE.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT ALLUSIONS?
• They create understanding and connection to
a familiar person, object, or event.
• They make the reader or listener feel smart if
they “get it”
• They can add to humor or sarcasm.
• They can make you feel relieved because the
point the writer or speaker is trying to make is
clearer.
WHAT’S BAD ABOUT ALLUSIONS?
• They can represent stereotypes or clichés—
every rainstorm is as bad as the one Noah
survived in the ark in the Old Testament
• The reader or listener might not “get it” and
feel stupid or bored as a result
• They can result in confusion or
misinterpretation.
• They can be insulting.
PRODUCTS TODAY THAT ALLUDE TO GREEK
MYTHOLOGY