Allusion
Allusion: A brief reference to a well-known person, place, event or work.
An allusion imports everything the reader already feels about another story in a couple of words - a cheap way to buy a whole atmosphere, if the audience catches it.
Allusion examples
"He was a real Romeo with the ladies."
— reference to Shakespeare
"She had the patience of Job."
— biblical reference
"The title of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men alludes to Robert Burns's line about the best-laid schemes of mice and men going astray."
— Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck
"Calling the project his white whale, she knew, was not a compliment."
— original example
Spot the Allusion
Score: 0/0A brief reference to a well-known person, place, event or work.
"He was a real Romeo with the ladies."
Which work is this from?
Explore every literary device in the poetic devices hub.
Allusion: common questions
What is allusion in literature?
A brief reference to a well-known person, place, event or work. An allusion imports everything the reader already feels about another story in a couple of words - a cheap way to buy a whole atmosphere, if the audience catches it.
What is an example of allusion?
A classic example is "He was a real Romeo with the ladies." (reference to Shakespeare).
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