1. Allusions

2. Allusion An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, a place, event, literary work, myth, or work of art, either directly or by implication

3. Allusion Allusion differs from the similar term intertextuality in that it is an intentional effort on the author's part. The success of an allusion depends in part on at least some of its audience "getting" it. Allusions may be made increasingly obscure, until at last they are understood by the author alone, who thereby retreats into a private language

4. Why use allusions? Allusions in writing help the reader to visualize what's happening by evoking a mental picture. But the reader must be aware of the allusion and must be familiar with what it alludes to. Allusions are commonly made to the Bible, nursery rhymes, myths, famous fictional or historical characters or events, and Shakespeare. They can be used in prose and poetry.

5. Martin Luther King, Jr., alluded to the Gettysburg Address in starting his "I Have a Dream" speech by saying 'Five score years ago..."; his hearers were immediately reminded of Abraham Lincoln's "Four score and seven years ago", which opened the Gettysburg Address. King's allusion effectively called up parallels in two historic moments.

6. An allusion may become trite and stale through unthinking overuse, devolving into a mere cliché, as in some of the following examples: 15 minutes of fame Catch 22 Midas Touch

7. T.S. Eliot The poetry of T. S. Eliot is often described as "allusive", because of his habit of referring to names, places or images that may only make sense in the light of prior knowledge. This technique can add to the experience, but for the uninitiated can make Eliot's work seem dense and hard to decipher http://eliotswasteland.tripod.com/

8. Brian Wilson- lying in bed

9. Brian Wilson- The Barenaked Ladies "Brian Wilson" Drove downtown in the rain nine-thirty on a Tuesday night, just to check out the late-night record shop. Call it impulsive, call it compulsive, call it insane; but when I'm surrounded I just can't stop. It's a matter of instinct, it's a matter of conditioning, It's a matter of fact. You can call me Pavlov's dog Ring a bell and I'll salivate- how'd you like that? Dr. Landy tell me you're not just a pedagogue, cause right now I'm [Chorus] Lying in bed just like Brian Wilson did Well I'm lying in bed just like Brian Wilson did. So I'm lying here, just staring at the ceiling tiles. and I'm thinking about what to think about. Just listening and relistening to Smiley Smile, and I'm wondering if this is some kind of creative drought because I am [Chorus] And if you want to find me I'll be out in the sandbox, wondering where the hell all the love has gone. Playing my guitar and building castles in the sun, and singing "Fun, Fun, Fun." [Chorus] I had a dream that I was three hundred pounds and though I was very heavy, I floated 'til I couldn't see the ground I floated 'til I couldn't see the ground Somebody help me, I couldn't see the ground Somebody help me, I couldn't see the ground Somebody help me because I'm [Chorus] Drove downtown in the rain nine-thirty on a Tuesday night. Just to check out the late-night record shop. Call it impulsive, call it compulsive, call it insane; but when I'm surrounded I just can't stop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMfneL5eU8A

10. Desolation Row- Bob Dylan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMMZ vbvUcAkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMMZ vbvUcAk

11. Try to list as many allusions you can think of from song lyrics, movies, TV shows, novels & stories How do these allusions aid in the understanding of the work?