Lybarger Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
SUMMER READING AND FOUNDATIONS IN ALLUSION PROJECT
Allusions in Literature
This workshop is designed to examine how Biblical histories, parables, events and figures have
influenced the development of Western and world literature. Just as Greek and Roman histories,
mythologies, and philosophies have had a transforming effect upon the themes, conflicts, characters,
symbols, images, and language employed in Western literature, so too has the Bible. This workshop will
reflect on the great works of literature in conjunction with Biblical material in order to recognize and
analyze how archetypical characters, themes, and symbols have borrowed from, been influenced and/or
inspired by the Old and New Testaments. I have also added Beowulf as an often alluded to text in the
same vein as The Odyssey as the origin of the epic hero and epic poem.
This is not a historical survey of the Bible, nor is it an examination of the theological validity of the Bible
as a sacred text. However, because the Bible is recognized as a sacred text for people of many faiths,
every attempt to present Biblical material with respect and tolerance for differences will be maintained as
a priority for all class instruction, interaction, and assignments.
Allusion-(noun) an implied or indirect reference to another literary work or event in history in literature.
[Webster's Collegiate]
Two basic sources from which writers, especially poets, draw allusions and metaphors are the Bible and the
ancient classical writings (mainly Greek and Roman). Knowledge of the characters and stories contained in the
Bible and in the body of myths and legends will add appreciably to the enjoyment of good literature of all kinds.
From the very beginning of the literary canon, writers have borrowed characters, plots, and themes from these
sources.
Project: First Step
1. Read 40 of the listed stories (use the Greek mythology book I give you and online sources, also use the
Bible online or hardcopy.
2. Allusion Journal: Summarize 20 myths/stories (one paragraph maximum)
3. Choose 2 of the alluded to myths/stories to study in depth, ultimately your charge is to become a student
expert on the alluded to myth/story of your choice.
The Holy Bible and Greek Mythology (Some listed might be specific stories or phrases often alluded to)
1: Book of Ruth (Bible)
8: Daphne and the Laurel Wreath
2: The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)
9: Lot and The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
3: The Three Magi
(Genesis 18-19)
4: Odysseus and the Trojan Horse
10: Echo and Narcissus
11: Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 21-22)

The sirens
12: Jason and the Golden Fleece

Circe
13: Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25)

Polyphemus the cyclops
14: Cupid (Eros) and Psyche
5: Noah and the Flood (Genesis Chapters 6-9)
15: Joseph, his brothers, the coat of many colors
6: Pygmalion and Galatea
(Genesis 37)
7: The Garden of Eden, The Fall of Mankind (Original
16: The Birth of Christ
Sin)
17: Rescue of the Child Moses (Exodus 1-2)
Lybarger Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
18: 5 types of Love in Greek
19: The Passover (Exodus 12)
20: Passage through the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds)
(Exodus 14)
21: Midas and the Golden Touch
22: Arachne and Athena
23: Daedalus and Icarus
24: Orpheus and Eurydice
25: Samson, Delilah and the Philistines (Judges 13-16)
26: Paris and the Golden Apple
27: Pandora's Box
28: Perseus and Medusa
29. Jesus and Lazarus (John 11)
30: David and Goliath
31. David and Jonathon (Samuel 18-20)
32: The Death of John the Baptist (Mark 6)
33: Pilate and Jesus (Matt.27)
34: The Death and Resurrection of Christ
35. Jonah and the whale
36.Methusela
37. Burning Bush and Golden calf
38. Am I my brother’s keeper
39. The Ten Commandments
40. Cast the first stone
41. Ark of the Covenant
42. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
43.Alpha and Omega
44. Camel through the eye of a needle
45. Jesus’s Miracles
46. Paul’s Epistles
47. Daniel and the lion’s den
48. Dionysus
49. The Good Samaritan
50. Revelations
51. Birth of Aphrodite
52. The Seed and The Sower
53. Prodigal son
54. 12 Labors of Hercules
55. Judas Iscariot & Thirty pieces of silver
56. Doubting Thomas
57. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth
58. Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
59. Saul to Paul on the road to Damascus
60. Sisyphus
61. Orpheus and Eurydice
62. The Rape of Persephone
63. Theseus, the Labyrinth and Minotaur
64. Narcissus
65. King Solomon and the two “mothers”
66. Cronus and Zeus
67. Job
68. Satyrs and Medieval Satan
69. Mary Magdalene
70. Immaculate Conception of Mary
71. Atropos, Lacheies and Clotho (The Fates)
72. Prometheus and Epimetheus
73. Peter the Apostle
74. Psalms
75. Song of Solomon
76. Ecclesiastes
77. Beowulf and Grendel
Project 2nd step:
Complete student expert presentations to be collected and presented day ONE of
AP Lit and Comp class in August.
Project Requirements:
Your Allusion Presentation will have the following: (100 pts total)
1. Allusion Journal: Research myths/stories online in books etc. (40 pts)
Lybarger Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
2. Find 2 mediums in which you story/myth is alluded to:
A. YOU MUST FIND A POEM referencing your myths/stories
B. AND Choose one of the following:






Film clip
Painting
Song and or lyrics
Another piece of literature
Photograph
Cartoon (TV) or drawn
3. Written typed, double spaced, 3-5 page analysis of your 2 myths/stories,
analysis of poem and 2nd selected medium. (40 pts)
4. Presentation of your allusion as a student expert in summation. (20 pts)
EMAIL ME if you have questions: rlybarger@dps61.org
Biblical References Used Above: Not exhaustive.
Genesis 1:22-23; Genesis 2:9, 16-17; Genesis 2:18; Genesis 3:17-19; Genesis 4:9-10; Genesis 4: 15-16;
Genesis 5:25-27; Genesis 6:13-16; Genesis 7:14; Genesis 11: 8-9;
Genesis 18:20-21.
Exodus 3:1-2; Exodus 4:21; Exodus 5:1; Exodus 14: 15-17; Exodus 16: 14-15;
Exodus 21:23-25; Exodus 32:4.
1 Samuel 17:4, 8-9; Isaiah 40:1-3; Daniel 6:16; Proverbs 9:1; Joshua 23:14;
1 Kings 3:16-28
Matthew 19: 23-25; Matthew 26:14-16; Matthew 23: 14-16; Matthew 26:26-29; Matthew 26:49-54; Matthew
27:27-29; Matthew 7:16; Matthew 6, 26-34
John 1:1, 14-15; John 2:7-10; John 8:4-7; John 20:24-25
Luke 6:29; Luke 10:30-34; Luke 15:11-14
Revelations 1:7-8,11; Revelations 5:1-4; Revelations 6
2 Kings 2:9-12
Jonah 1,2
Lybarger Advanced Placement Literature and Composition