Allusion
AllusionAn?allusion?is when a person or author makes an indirect reference in speech, text, or song to an event or figure. Often the?allusions?made are to past events or figures, but sometimes allusions are made to current famous people or events. The?allusion?does not give much detail about the reference – it does not describe or explain. Rather, because these events are momentous - significant historically, culturally, or politically - the speaker or author expects that people in general would understand the allusion without explanation. Therefore, an allusion relies on the reader to bring knowledge and experience to the text, without this the allusion will not be understood. Allusions?are sometimes used within a?metaphor?or?simile, and are an example of figurative language. Allusions?often make reference to previous works of literature, especially references to the Bible and Greek or Roman mythology, as in these examples: Your backyard is a?Garden of Eden. (Biblical allusion)I guess I should see this message about a new job as my?burning bush. (Biblical Allusion)When you feel betrayed by a friend, you can say, "You too,?Brutus?" (allusion to historical figure: Julius Caesar-Brutus betrayed Caesar)You're a regular?Einstein. (allusion to a historical figure)When your parents learn about your new plan to raise money, it's going to sink like the?Titanic.?(allusion to a historical event)You are?carrying the weight of the world?on your shoulders. (reference to Atlas in myth)That man is so?narcissistic. (reference to Narcissus in mythology)Don't be a?Scrooge! (reference to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens)Potato chips are my diet's?Achilles heel. (reference to Achilles in mythology)Many states have laws that protect?Good Samaritan's. (reference to the Bible)Examples from After reading The Bloody Chamber you may be a little overwhelmed by all the allusions to people, places, and events that happened outside of the text. But with a little wider reading and research, the meaning of some of these allusions will become clear. Once you have discovered the allusion, try to explain how understanding each allusion helps deepen your appreciation of Carter’s Themes and concerns. For example: Allusion from The Bloody ChamberAlluding to…Notes and ExplanationThe character of The Marquis. The Marquis De Sade. (Historical Figure)Living from 1740 – 1814, the Marquis was a famous libertine (Carter uses this word to describe the Marquis in her story) and erotic writer (120 Days of Sodom was written in the Bastille where he was imprisoned during the French revolution). Like Carter’s character, the Marquis de Sade was a famous gourmand: he adored fine wine, chocolate, quail, p?té, all the delicacies of Provence. His books gave lurid accounts of rape, incest and paedophilia, and thousands of copies were destroyed during his lifetime. His contribution to the language was coining the word ‘sadism’ to refer to sexual cruelty. Allusion Alluding to… ExplanationThe setting of the story – a castle at Mont-St-Michel, in Brittany, Northern France. The infamous Chateaux Sade in Provence, today called the Luberon. The marquis is described as a ‘libertine’Allusion Alluding to… ExplanationThe Marquis’ monocleThe seventeen-year-old heroine who wears a schoolgirl’s serge skirt and flannel blouse.Colette Claudine’s eponymous heroine…The Liebestod, from Tristan and Isolde. The Marquis’ quotes: ‘Of her apparel she retains / Only her sonorous jewellery.’ The painting the Marquis gifts to his young bride: Saint CeciliaAllusion Alluding to… Explanation‘He is as rich as Croesus.’‘An etching by Rops’ hangs in the bedroom.The narrator finds the works of Eliphas Levy in the library. “All the better to see you.”A portrait by Moreau: Sacrificial VictimPaintings hung on the castle walls: ‘Two or three late Gaugins… Watteus, Poussins, and a pair of very special Fragonards…’Allusion Alluding to… ExplanationThe narrator imagines herself like The Empress Josephine. The table in the dining room is reputed to have been one at which King Mark fed his knights. Reference on the postcard sent by the Marquis’ ex-wife to ‘A Typical Transylvanian Scene’The narrator says her husband has given her the ‘keys to Pandora’s Box.’The narrator describes her mother as a medusa when she bursts into the courtyard. ................
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