Allusions – PRACTICE
English 9
We have recently learned that allusions are “indirect references to previously released
texts, historical figures, or historical events.” They are attempts by authors to connect their work
to their audiences. Oftentimes, allusions serve to explain complicated issues to the text’s current
audiences by connecting it to a shared or previously understood text.
ASSIGNMENT
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For each text, notice that an allusion is being made
Explain how that allusion is the author’s choice
Interpret why that author made that choice to share his or her message on that topic to that
intended audience. (Be sure to go beyond just……to make a connection!)
SENTENCE FRAME of HELPFULNESS
You may wish to consider the following sentence frame when interpreting authors’ choices
through allusions:
In the text of _______________________, the author chooses to allude to _____________________________
when sharing his message. The alluded to text of ___________________________ meant / was about /
taught the lesson of ____________________________. The author is choosing to allude to this older text
because he is trying to show / explain / connect _____________________________________(This last
section should be well developed and where you share your DEEP thinking about the texts.)
Notice that you must explain the original text a bit (just like having to define your terms when you
anchor your writing in other situations!)
MODEL #1
In this political cartoon, the author chooses to allude to the Greek mythological story of
Pandora’s box when sharing his message. The alluded to story of Pandora’s box was that the
Greek gods gave Pandora a box but warned her not to open it. She did open it, and she released all
the plagues and challenges of the world: sorrow, war, disease, famine, etc. But, hope remained in
the box. Overall, though, the story of Pandora’s box is seen as a lesson and warning throughout
literature. The author of this cartoon is choosing to allude to this older text because he is sharing
his opinion on how he does not think Iran should have access to nuclear energy (as evidenced by
the nuclear symbol IN the box). He sees Iran breaking the protective watch of the United Nations
(UN) and to then, seemingly, steal access to something that the cartoonist feels they shouldn’t
have. Since the original story of Pandora’s box is seen as a negative warning, the cartoon is also a
warning against letting Iran have access to nuclear energy.
Model #2
In the text of this cartoon, the author chooses to allude to _____________________________ when
sharing his message. The alluded to text of ___________________________ meant / was about / taught the
lesson of ____________________________. The author is choosing to allude to this older text because he is
trying to show / explain / connect _____________________________________(This last section should be
well developed and where you share your DEEP thinking about the texts.)
Practice #1
From Beowulf…
So times were pleasant for the people there until finally one, a fiend out of hell, began to work his
evil in the world. Grendel was the name of this grim demon haunting the marches, marauding
round the heath and the desolate fens; he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished
monsters, Cain’s clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts. For the killing
of Abel the Eternal Lord had exacted a price: Cain got no good from committing that murder
because the Almighty made him anathema and out of the curse of his exile there sprang ogres and
elves and evil phantoms and the giants too who strove with God time and again until He gave them
their reward.
In the text of _______________________, the author chooses to allude to _____________________________
when sharing his message. The alluded to text of ___________________________ meant / was about /
taught the lesson of ____________________________. The author is choosing to allude to this older text
because he is trying to show / explain / connect _____________________________________(This last
section should be well developed and where you share your DEEP thinking about the texts.)
Practice #2
In the text of the blogging cartoon the author chooses to allude to _____________________________
when sharing his message. The alluded to text of ___________________________ meant / was about /
taught the lesson of ____________________________. The author is choosing to allude to this older text
because he is trying to show / explain / connect _____________________________________(This last
section should be well developed and where you share your DEEP thinking about the texts.)