Last Updated on October 2, 2021
What Is Allusion? To help you understand what this literary device is, and how it is used, this article provides detailed guidance on the definition and examples of Allusion, and how it can be used in a sentence.
Table of Contents
Definition of Allusion
An allusion is a figure of speech that references a person, place, thing, or event. Each of these concepts can be real or imaginary, referring to anything from fiction, to folklore, to historical events and religious manuscripts.
Common Examples of Allusion in Everyday Speech
People often make allusions in everyday conversation, sometimes without the realization that they are doing so and sometimes without knowing the material to which they are alluding. Typically, these allusions are in reference to popular culture, including movies, books, music, public figures, and so on.
Here are some common examples of allusion in everyday speech, along with the source material to which they reference:
- His smile is like kryptonite to me. (Superman’s weakness)
- She felt like she had a golden ticket. (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
- That guy is young, scrappy, and hungry. (Hamilton)
- I wish I could just click my heels. (The Wizard of Oz)
- If I’m not home by midnight, my car might turn into a pumpkin. (Cinderella)
- She smiles like a Cheshire cat. (Alice in Wonderland)
- His job is like pulling a sword out of a stone. (King Arthur Legend)
- Is there an Einstein in your physics class? (Albert Einstein)
- My math teacher is he who must not be named. (Voldemort from the Harry Potter series)
- I want to sound like Queen B. (Beyoncé)
- Today might be the Ides of March. (Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar)
- Now might be a good time to sit in my thinking chair. (Blue’s Clues)
- I have a caped crusader costume. (Batman)
- Does it count if we were on a break? (Friends)
- I’m listening to the king. (Elvis Presley)
Examples of Allusion to Classical Mythology
Writers often utilize allusion as a literary device for an incidental mention of something or a passing reference to create context. Greek and/or Roman mythology are commonly used as sources for allusions in literature, directly or by implication, due to the familiarity most readers have with classical myths, their stories, and characters.
Here are some examples of allusion to classical mythology:
- Achilles’ heel (alluding to the one weakness of Achilles)
- arrow of love (allusion to Cupid)
- carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders (allusion to Atlas)
- pushing a boulder uphill every day (allusion to Sisyphus)
- hot as Hades (alluding to the god of death / king of the underworld)
- looking like Venus (alluding to the goddess of beauty)
- Herculean effort (alluding to the strength of Hercules)
- opening Pandora’s box (alluding to Pandora’s myth of letting trouble into the world)
- protean form of management (alluding to Proteus who could change his shape)
- can’t stop staring at himself (allusion to Narcissus)
Famous Examples of Biblical Allusion
The Bible is another frequently referenced source for writers utilizing allusion as a literary device. Here are some famous examples of Biblical allusion:
- garden (Eden, creation)
- Snake (serpent, Satan)
- flood (Noah’s Ark)
- apple/fruit (tree of knowledge, temptation)
- cross (Christ, crucifixion)
- great patience (Job)
- fraternal competition (Cain and Abel)
- betrayal (Judas)
- generosity/philanthropy (Good Samaritan)
- slingshot/stone (David and Goliath)
Writing Allusion
Allusion is a very effective literary device in all forms of literature. Writers can use allusions for character development by associating them with other well-known and familiar characters or archetypes. Literary allusions can also provide context for the reader through comparison or contrast to another literary work. In addition, allusion can provide exposition for a story by referring to the plot and/or character of another work that helps the reader understand more about the story’s events or character motivations.
When creating allusions in a literary work, writers must balance what they choose to reference and how to incorporate it into their work so it is understandable and meaningful for the reader. Here are some common types of allusion for a writer to consider when using this literary device:
- self reference–when a writer references another work of their own
- single reference–when a writer connects their work to another through allusion
- causal reference–when an allusion is made but it is not essential to the story
- corrective reference–when a writer references another work that is in opposition by comparison
- apparent reference–when a writer alludes to a specific source but in a challenging way
- multiple references–when a writer uses a variety of allusions