The Allusion Game

Allusion  An indirect hint (reference) to something well-known (like a person, place, event, or work of art or literature).  The speaker expects the listener to understand what is being referred to and its original context, allowing the speaker/writer to say a lot simply by hinting at it

What to do: For each scene or song that will appear, you will want to pay attention to the use of allusion. After the clip, you will be asked a question in reference to that allusion.

Scene 1: Zion commercial watch?v=vmRTN2Ws1HU Watch the following commercial:

In the scion high voltage commercial, why is the allusion of Zeus used? A. To demonstrate the power of the Zion B. To insinuate that the Zion is powered by Zeus’s high voltage bolts. C. To show that even the top Greek god will use this car. D. All of the above

In the scion high voltage commercial, why is the allusion of Zeus used? A. To demonstrate the power of the Zion B. To insinuate that the Zion is powered by Zeus’s high voltage bolts. C. To show that even the top Greek god will use this car. D. All of the above

Scene 2: Spaceballs Watch first minute: watch?v=9X4X3XcLyco

Spaceballs alludes to what famous science-fiction film? A. E.T. B. Star Trek C. Star Wars D. Galactic Starship

Spaceballs alludes to what famous science-fiction film? A. E.T. B. Star Trek C. Star Wars D. Galactic Starship

Name three of the Star Wars’ characters alluded to in this scene.

Name three of the characters alluded to in this scene. C3PO Princess Leia Darth Vader

Scene 3: “American Pie” Listen to the following song (first minute): watch?v=uAsV5-Hv-7U-

Who is the him in “I can’t remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride? A. Elvis Presley B. Jerry Lee Lewis C. Buddy Holly D. John Lennon

Who is the him in “I can’t remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride? A. Elvis Presley B. Jerry Lee Lewis C. Buddy Holly D. John Lennon

Scene 4: Finding Nemo watch?v=BN2doCD3YJw Watch the following scene from Finding Nemo:

To what famous recovery group does the scene allude to?

Alcoholics Anonymous

Why does the writer use the Alcoholics Anonymous allusion A. To create tension between the sharks and fish since they are luring them in. B. To define that though the sharks want to eat fish, they may not during a meeting just like an alcoholic may not drink during a meeting C. To show that it is not easy for a shark to not eat fish and that community is important to overcome instinct. D. All of the above

Why does the writer use the Alcoholics Anonymous allusion A. To create tension between the sharks and fish since they are luring them in. B. To define that though the sharks want to eat fish, they may not during a meeting just like an alcoholic may not drink during a meeting C. To show that it is not easy for a shark to not eat fish and that community is important to overcome instinct. D. All of the above

Scene 3: Shark Tales Watch the first 1:54 of the film: watch?v=ojuthg96jBI&featu re=endscreen&NR=1 watch?v=ojuthg96jBI&featu re=endscreen&NR=1

How is the allusion to Jaws ironic? A. The sharks fight each other. B. The people aren’t afraid of the sharks. C. The shark is really kind. D. The shark loves the song and waits to swim with it.

How is the allusion to Jaws ironic? A. The sharks fight each other. B. The people aren’t afraid of the sharks. C. The shark is really kind. D. The shark loves the song and waits to swim with it.

Scene 4: Not Another Vampire Movie Watch the first 45 seconds of this preview: watch?v=ksJvEH-R_ew watch?v=ksJvEH-R_ew

Name the film this movie alludes to, and three images that show similarities between the parody and the original.

This movie refers to Twilight. Similarities: Families, appearances, craving blood, strength, setting

Final Scene: Shrek 2 Keep a list of ten allusions that you spot in this preview: watch?v=V6X5ti4YlG8 watch?v=V6X5ti4YlG8

How are allusions are used in Shrek 2.

Chapter 5  Nothing Gold Can Stay  Nature’s first green is gold Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower. But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing Gold Can Stay.