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Definition of Allusion. An allusion is a reference, typically brief, to a person, place, thing, event, or other literary work with which the reader is presumably familiar. As a literary device, allusion allows a writer to compress a great deal of meaning and significance into a word or phrase. However, allusions are only effective to the extent ...
Allusion Definition. What is an allusion? Here’s a quick and simple definition: In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text.
Definition of Allusion. An allusion is a literary device used to reference another object outside of the work of literature. The object can be a real or fictional person, event, quote, or other work of artistic expression.
Allusion (pronounced ah-LOO-zhun) is basically a reference to something else. It’s when a writer mentions some other work, or refers to an earlier part of the current work. In literature, it’s frequently used to reference cultural works (e.g. by alluding to a Bible story or Greek myth). Allusion also exists in other art forms – musicians ...
Allusion, in literature, is an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of another text.
noun. al· lu· sion ə-ˈlü-zhən. Synonyms of allusion. 1. : an implied or indirect reference especially in literature. a poem that makes allusions to classical literature. also : the use of such references. 2. : the act of making an indirect reference to something : the act of alluding to something.
Discover the definition and purpose of allusions in literature by studying several examples from classics like Heart of Darkness and Moby Dick.
However, allusions are an essential tool for literary artists that often serve to situate their own works within the wider culture and the contexts of literary history. So, how does this work? What do allusions achieve and why do authors use them? Let’s refer back to our examples.
Allusions (ale-LOO-shuhn) are textual references to an object or subject that exists outside the text. They use readers’ prior knowledge and associations to enhance emotion or clarify significance.
What is allusion? And what role does allusion play in works of literature? It’s a key part of what many writers do, so it’s worth defining ‘allusion’ and exploring some of the issues that arise from its use in literary texts.