Usually an implicit reference to another work of literature or art, a person or an event. Often an appeal to the reader to share some experience with the writer. An allusion may enrich the work by association and give it depth. When using an allusion, writers tend to assume an established literary tradition, a body of common knowledge, with an audience sharing that tradition and who then “pick up” the reference. Roughly, we can distinguish: (a) a reference to events and people, (b) reference to facts about the writer, (c) a metaphoric allusion, and (d) an imitative allusion.
Comments
No comments have yet been made