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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
Key Examples in Bernice Bobs Her Hair
Part 5
Explanation and Analysis—The Terror:
As Bernice approaches the barbershop where her hair is to be cut, Fitzgerald employs metaphors and allusions to the French Revolution to heighten the dramatic tension:
[...] Sevier Barber-Shop. It was a guillotine indeed, and the hangman was the first barber, who, attired in a white coat and smoking a cigarette, leaned nonchalantly against the first chair. He must have heard of her; he must have been waiting all week, smoking eternal cigarettes beside that portentous, too-often-mentioned first chair. Would they blind-fold her? No, but they would tie a white cloth round her neck lest any of her blood—nonsense—hair—should get on her clothes.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Sphinx of Sphinxes:
As Bernice nervously skirts around Marjorie at a party, the author compares Marjorie to the Sphinx to highlight how intimidating she is. Bernice works hard to suppress her growing discomfort because she’s worried she has upset Marjorie, the "sphinx of sphinxes":
Unlock with LitCharts A+All through the bridge party Bernice strove in vain to master a rising uneasiness. She had offended Marjorie, the sphinx of sphinxes.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Madonna-Like:
In this passage, as Bernice sits frozen with horror in the barber’s chair, the author uses a simile and allusion to depict the dramatic change in her appearance after her questionable haircut:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Her face's chief charm had been a Madonna-like simplicity. Now that was gone and she was—well, frightfully mediocre—not stagy; only ridiculous [...]
Related Themes:
