Previous
Literary Devices
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
April Fools
Explanation and Analysis—The City of Woe:
American Psycho begins with Patrick Bateman in a cab with his sometime-friend Timothy Price. In the cab, Patrick notices some rather terrifying graffiti, which is an allusion to Dante's Inferno:
ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE is scrawled in blood red lettering on the side of the Chemical Bank near the corner of Eleventh and First and is in print large enough to be seen from the backseat of the cab as it lurches forward in the traffic leaving Wall Street [...]
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Rich Man:
In the first chapter, "April Fools," Patrick and Price head to Evelyn's apartment; walking down the street, he whistles a musical-theater standard that seems wildly out of character:
Unlock with LitCharts A+It’s cold for April and Price walks briskly down the street toward Evelyn’s brownstone, whistling “If I Were a Rich Man,” the heat from his mouth creating smoky plumes of steam, and swinging his Tumi leather attaché case.
Related Themes:
A Glimpse of a Thursday Afternoon
Explanation and Analysis—It's Like a Dream:
In the chapter "Thursday Afternoon," Patrick walks along a busy sidewalk in a drug-induced panic. Among a cacophony of sounds and sensations he hears a song by the pop idol Madonna that especially strikes him:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[...] while moving up Broadway, ignoring the old ladies passing out fliers, past jeans stores, music blasting from inside, pouring out onto the streets, people’s movements matching the beat of the song, a Madonna single, Madonna crying out, “life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone …,” bike messengers whiz by and I’m standing on a corner scowling at them, but people pass, oblivious, no one pays attention, they don’t even pretend to not pay attention [...]
Related Themes:
