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
Act 1
Explanation and Analysis—Shakespeare and Gide:
In a misogynistic tirade in which he expresses an envy of male homosexuality, Jimmy alludes both to Ancient Greek theater and the French writer André Gide:
Jimmy: I’ve just about had enough of this ‘expense of spirit’ lark, as far as women are concerned. Honestly, it’s enough to make you become a scoutmaster or something isn’t it? Sometimes I almost envy old Gide and the Greek Chorus boys. Oh, I’m not saying that it mustn’t be hell for them a lot of the time. But, at least, they do seem to have a cause – not a particularly good one, it’s true. But plenty of them do seem to have a revolutionary fire about them, which is more than you can say for the rest of us.
Related Themes:
