Allusions I CAN identify an allusion in a text and understand the importance of the allusion to the text.

What is an allusion? An allusion is a reference in a text to another literary or historical work, figure, or event. Examples can vary from Shakespeare to September 11th

Example of an Allusion to Shakespeare in Film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Examples of Allusions in TV Family Guy

Examples in Songs: “Pride (in the Name of Love)” “Pride (in the Name of Love)” by U2

What are the Allusions in the U2 song? Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Early morning, April 4/Shot rings out in in the Memphis sky” (U2, Lines 18-19) – he was assassinated on that date in Memphis “Free at last” (U2, Line 20) – allusion to the “I Have a Dream” Speech The Great Escape “One man caught on a barbed wire fence” (U2, Line 9) – allusion to concentration camp escapees from Stalag III during WWII, 3 lived, the rest of the 76 were killed in the hands of the Gestapo

Example in Songs: “Born Too Late” “Born Too Late” by The Clarks

What are the Allusions in “Born Too Late”? Vincent = Vincent Van Gogh Teresa = St. Teresa John = John Lennon William = William Shakespeare Cassius = Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. (Muhammad Ali) Thomas A. = Thomas A. Edison Jimi = Jimi Hendrix Elvis = Elvis Presley Jerry = Jerry Lewis Christopher = Christopher Columbus

Find Allusions in the Text The Outsiders has many allusions to literary works, people in popular culture, poems, etc. Starting on Chapter One write 10 allusions down that are in the book Cite your source: ex. Paul Newman: (Hinton, 1)

Remember… Allusions are hints the author gives you at a deeper message Allusions can help identify the theme of a work Allusions can help you analyze a work

Homework By the end of the week, bring in something either written down or in a piece of writing that has an allusion Examples: a song lyric, a television show, a movie, a newspaper, etc.