What is an ALLUSION? Allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment and the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its importance in a text.

Why are they used in writing? They can be used to assist in understanding by referring to something the writer assumes the reader will know. To give deeper meaning by connecting two texts with similar themes. An allusion could be used to foreshadow. They can be used to emphasize the main point through parallels and intertextuality.

Allusions in “Araby” “The wild garden behind the house contained a central apple-tree and a few straggling bushes, under one of which I found the late tenant's rusty bicycle-pump. He had been a very charitable priest; in his will he had left all his money to institutions and the furniture of his house to his sister.”

Allusions in “Araby” “I looked humbly at the great jars that stood like eastern guards at either side of the dark entrance to the stall…”