An allusion is another literary element than can add depth and complexity to a story. It is similar to a symbol in this way: It suggests an additional layer of meaning beyond its literal, obvious meaning. Unlike a symbol, an allusion refers to a specific person, place, thing, or event. If an allusion is successful, most readers will know the reference, based on other texts they have read, movies they have watched, or their knowledge of history or culture. In other words, to notice an allusion, readers must share some specific knowledge with the author.
An allusion is almost always implied rather than directly stated or explained. If your friend tells you, “Ask me anything, I’m a walking Google,” she is using an allusion to imply that she is smart and knows a lot of specific information. You would only understand her statement, though, if you knew something about Google and how it is used. Based on your knowledge that Google is an online search engine, and your experience with your friend as a source of information, you could decide whether your friend is truly a genius or simply conceited.
In novels, allusions often reference historical figure or events, religious texts, or elements of pop culture. Of course, you have to be familiar with these references to get the allusion. How many of the allusions in these examples are you able to identify?
Shelley flashes a smile at Joe, and says, “Hey Romeo! Thanks for the flowers.”
High School Musical
by Peter Barsocchini
Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare
Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley
Shelley’s use of the word Romeo implies that Shelley thinks Joe has romantic feelings for her—so much so that he sent her flowers.
Shelley’s use of the word Romeo implies that Shelley thinks Joe has romantic feelings for her—so much so that he sent her flowers.
Shelley’s use of the word Romeo implies that Shelley thinks Joe has romantic feelings for her—so much so that he sent her flowers.
Jessie was excited to take the podium and share his campaign speech. He began, “I have a dream … that all students at West Berry High will feel honored to gain an education right here within these brick walls ….”
1963 Washington,
D.C. speech
1961 inaugural
address
1863 Gettysburg
Address
Jessie begins his speech with a phrase used by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his most famous speech. This allusion implies that Jessie is hoping his speech will be just as memorable and inspirational.
Jessie begins his speech with a phrase used by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his most famous speech. This allusion implies that Jessie is hoping his speech will be just as memorable and inspirational.
Jessie begins his speech with a phrase used by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his most famous speech. This allusion implies that Jessie is hoping his speech will be just as memorable and inspirational.
Kara came for the truth, but she was leaving empty handed. She glared at Marcia and then stormed out of the girls’ bathroom, shouting, “You better go check that mirror to see if your nose is still growing!”
This allusion implies that Marcia is lying. The allusion references the fairy tale "Pinocchio," in which a wooden boy’s nose grows longer each time he tells a lie.
This allusion implies that Marcia is lying. The allusion references the fairy tale "Pinocchio," in which a wooden boy’s nose grows longer each time he tells a lie.
This allusion implies that Marcia is lying. The allusion references the fairy tale "Pinocchio," in which a wooden boy’s nose grows longer each time he tells a lie.
Steph was relieved when Aunt Liz finally arrived. Steph thought of Aunt Liz as her fairy godmother, since she could solve almost any problem Steph presented to her.
This allusion implies that Steph is in trouble and is seeking help from her Aunt Liz, who has shown herself to be just as helpful as the fairy godmother in the folk tale "Cinderella."
This allusion implies that Steph is in trouble and is seeking help from her Aunt Liz, who has shown herself to be just as helpful as the fairy godmother in the folk tale "Cinderella."
This allusion implies that Steph is in trouble and is seeking help from her Aunt Liz, who has shown herself to be just as helpful as the fairy godmother in the folk tale "Cinderella."
After scoring a hole in one, James nudged his friend, “Hey, I bet you didn’t know I was the Tiger Woods of Putt-Putt.”
golfer
actor
In this allusion, James uses a reference to the superstar golf champion Tiger Woods to suggest how good he is at miniature golf.
In this allusion, James uses a reference to the superstar golf champion Tiger Woods to suggest how good he is at miniature golf.
In this allusion, James uses a reference to the superstar golf champion Tiger Woods to suggest how good he is at miniature golf.
Aunt Betty’s house was definitely not the Ritz-Carlton, but it was warm and the couch looked soft.
The Ritz-Carlton is a fancy hotel—it is not only clean and comfortable, but also luxurious—and affordable only to very wealthy travelers. This allusion helps the writer provide a more precise description of Aunt Betty’s home.
The Ritz-Carlton is a fancy hotel—it is not only clean and comfortable, but also luxurious—and affordable only to very wealthy travelers. This allusion helps the writer provide a more precise description of Aunt Betty’s home.
The Ritz-Carlton is a fancy hotel—it is not only clean and comfortable, but also luxurious—and affordable only to very wealthy travelers. This allusion helps the writer provide a more precise description of Aunt Betty’s home.
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Now apply your understanding of allusions to a few especially meaningful details in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Answer each of the questions below in your own words. At the end of the activity, compare what you wrote to the sample answers.
What additional information is implied by the “Confederacy emblem” in the upper corner of the Mississippi flag?
Jefferson Davis was the only president of the Confederate States of America, which existed from 1861 until the end of the Civil War in 1865. Jefferson Davis is also the name of the school for whites in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. What does this allusion imply about the county where Cassie and her family live?
The “devilish nightmen” mentioned at the end of Chapter 3 is a reference to people more commonly called nightriders, white men who terrorized African Americans after the Civil War ended, as a way of keeping them too afraid to demand their rights under the Constitution. In what way is this allusion also a golden key?
| Your Responses | Sample Answers |
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The Confederacy was a group of southern states, including Mississippi, that seceded, or separated from, the United States rather than agree to abolish slavery. The secession of these states led to the American Civil War, which eventually ended the practice of slavery. The fact that the Mississippi state flag still bore a symbol of the Confederacy could suggest that the state’s leaders did not fully accept the outcome of the Civil War. |
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The allusion implies that many families whose children attend the whites-only school still support what Jefferson Davis represented—a government controlled entirely by whites, one that granted no rights to African Americans and would have kept them enslaved. |
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When the nightriders appear in the Logans’ driveway, in the middle of the night, Cassie is certain that they have come to punish her and her brothers for what happened to the white students’ bus. The fear that the event causes Cassie makes some of the novel’s conflicts seem more serious. However, only readers who know about the history of the Ku Klux Klan and other race-based terrorist groups would understand why her fear is well-founded. |
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