AllusionAllusion

Does this remind you of anything?

What is happening here?

Icarus  (IK-uh-rus)

Son of Daedalus who dared to fly too near the sun on wings of feathers and wax. Daedalus had been imprisoned by King Minos of Crete within the walls of his own invention, the Labyrinth. But the great craftsman's genius would not suffer captivity. He made two pairs of wings by adhering feathers to a wooden frame with wax. Giving one pair to his son, he cautioned him that flying too near the sun would cause the wax to melt. But Icarus became ecstatic with the ability to fly and forgot his father's warning. The feathers came loose and Icarus plunged to his death in the sea.

(“Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology: Icarus.” mythweb.com. n.p,. n.d. Web. 3 Sept. 2011.)

Big Brother is a fictional character in Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. In the society that Orwell describes, everyone is under complete surveillence by the authorities, mainly by telescreen. The people are constantly reminded of this by the phrase "Big Brother is watching you."

What is being compared here?

AllusionAllusion

A brief, usually indirect A brief, usually indirect reference toreference to

a person, place, or event--real a person, place, or event--real oror

fictional fictional

Level 1: Notice the allusion

Level 2: Explain the what is being compared

Level 3: What are the qualities of each that make the allusion work?

Level 4: How does the allusion work to deeper the understanding of the text?

From “A Storm in Summer” From “A Storm in Summer” by Rod Serlingby Rod Serling

““You should hear Herman talk about that You should hear Herman talk about that brother! Lawrence of Arabia and Joe brother! Lawrence of Arabia and Joe Louis rolled into one” (Serling 30).Louis rolled into one” (Serling 30).

“You should hear Herman talk about that brother! Lawrence of Arabia and Joe Louis rolled into one” (Serling 30).” (Serling 30).

Level 1: We noticed the allusion

Level 2: The brothers are being compared to these two historical figures.

Level 3: (To understand the comparison, you need to know about the two people – research!)

Lawrence of Arabia: A British soldier who Lawrence of Arabia: A British soldier who

is well known for fearlessness is well known for fearlessness

and bravery.and bravery.

Joe Louis: A feared heavy weight boxing Joe Louis: A feared heavy weight boxing

champion.champion.

Level 3: He is saying that his brother is brave, fearless, and invincible.

Level 4: From this allusion we can learn that Herman idolizes his brother and we learn about the brother (characterization). The author uses “showing not telling” to make the writing more effective and engaging.

What Names Would You Use?What Names Would You Use?

“You should hear Herman talk about that brother! ___________________ and _______________ rolled into one.”

In Your Reading Today…In Your Reading Today…(You may need to look back in your book)(You may need to look back in your book)

Look for an allusion. When you find Look for an allusion. When you find one, copy the passage.one, copy the passage.

Explain the allusion. Aim to reach level Explain the allusion. Aim to reach level 4.4.

If You Cannot Find an Allusion TodayIf You Cannot Find an Allusion TodayYou must find one in your reading in You must find one in your reading in

order to complete the entry. ASK me for order to complete the entry. ASK me for a text! I will give you something that a text! I will give you something that contains an allusion for you to find.contains an allusion for you to find.

Allusion Journal EntryAllusion Journal Entry

Definition of “Allusion” in your own Definition of “Allusion” in your own wordswords

Anchor passageAnchor passageVisual componentVisual componentFull explanation of the allusion Full explanation of the allusion

(up to level 4) (up to level 4)