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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 Carmilla
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Babel:
In Chapter 1, Laura makes an allusion to the biblical story of the Tower of Babel when describing the nature of her household growing up:
[Mademoiselle De Lafontaine] spoke French and German, Madame Perrodon French and broken English, to which my father and I added English, which, partly to prevent its becoming a lost language among us, and partly from patriotic motives, we spoke every day. The consequence was a Babel, at which strangers used to laugh, and which I shall make no attempt to reproduce in this narrative.
Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—Cleopatra:
An allusion to Cleopatra occurs in Chapter 3 when Laura describes the room in which Carmilla stays when she first arrives at the estate, and the allusion also serves as foreshadowing:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Our visitor lay in one of the handsomest rooms in the schloss. It was, perhaps, a little stately. There was a somber piece of tapestry opposite the foot of the bed, representing Cleopatra with the asps to her bosom; and other solemn classic scenes were displayed, a little faded, upon the other walls. But there was a gold carving, and rich and varied color enough in the other decorations of the room, to more than redeem the gloom of the old tapestry.
