ALLUSIONS
Ms. Wolf – Language Arts Class
Agenda for Thursday
2.14.13
Warm-Up: Grammar – pages 84-90
GUM Book
 Connection to a Clip- Dead Poet’s
Society
 Allusions Notes and Examples
 Create your Own Poem 


Homework: 3 Daybooks #52-54, I.T
Notebook due Tuesday 2.19.13, True
Leader Poem due Friday 2.15.13,
Draw a line from the verb to the direct
object and circle the indirect object
She wrote me a letter.
 He gave his dog a bone.
 Tom brought us the newspaper.
 Sue sang her sister a lullaby.

Connection to a Clip:


http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=s8UL_9
R_W-Y
As you view the clip,
write down
connections to “O
Captain, My Captain”
 Focus
on symbolism!
What is Allusion?
A direct or indirect reference to
something historical, literary, religious, or
mythical.
 The author usually uses references that
will be understood by his or her audience,
such as an event, book, myth, place, or
work of art.
 You can also make allusions to pop
culture.

Find the Extended Metaphor- SONG

Lil' Wayne- Dr. Carterhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdpGdHVXxyY
Why Writers Use It
Allusions can help people see unique
connections between two ideas.
 The reference can help the audience
better understand a subject.
 Allusions can also be surprising and funny,
and are a favorite tool for songwriter/
rappers to prove their extensive
knowledge of many topics.

Not to be confused with “ILLUSIONS”


In order to understand allusions, one must have a
good grasp on “well-known” works of literature, art,
music, pop culture, etc. So, if one is not well-read, it
will be difficult to fully grasp why an
author/writer/director uses an allusion. This is
sometimes difficult for high school students.
Allusions are NOT references to someone/something
only a small group of people know.
 For
example - Don’t say, “Sally’s smile looked like my
mom’s smile.” While this is a method of comparison, it is
not to something well-known (outside of your community).
The Purpose of Allusions
Whenever you come across an allusion, stop and ask
yourself:
 What does the writer want me to understand about
this character, setting, plot, etc. by connecting it to
something with which I am already familiar?
 What is the author’s purpose in using this allusion? To
create the same feeling/mood as the original work?
 For comedic effect?
 To show character’s motives or traits?
 Brainstorm
with a partner other reasons authors might
use an allusion.
Allusion Examples in Songs and
Movies


“The side lines is lined with casualties
Who sip the life casually, then gradually become
worse
Don’t bite the apple, Eve” -Jay-Z
Allusion in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Allusion in TV/ Movies


Peter Pan (Robin
Williams) says, “What is
this, some sort of the
Lord of the Flies Preschool?”
Allusion Explanation:
The land is run by kids
 They are savages with
no adult influence
 They have been
abandoned without adult
supervision

Allusion in Art/ Images

More Cowbell!!!
Allusion in Art/ Images


Sally had a smile that
rivaled that of the
Mona Lisa.
Since everyone is
familiar with the
painting, they can
imagine what Sally’s
smile looks like.
Allusion in Art/ Images
The makers of the Scream movie ALLUDED TO Munch’s
work of art “The Scream” in order to instill fear.
The three most popularly alluded to
works are:




The Bible
Shakespeare
Greek/Roman Mythology
So, what does that tell you?
 ---You
are expected to be well-read in order to
understand many allusions!
What TV show is being
alluded to in these clips?

Love Poem 

Create a poem about someone you LOVE
 This
person can be anyone:
 Parent,
grandparent, sibling, significant other, etc.
 The poem must contain 12 lines, does not have to rhyme, but
must include at least 2 allusions
 Include SYMBOLISM
 Due Wed 2.20.13