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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
Chapter 10: The Happy Home
Explanation and Analysis—Geography & History:
Peter Pan contains many allusions and references to real-life places and historical myths that help ground a magical story in reality. For example, the author references the Kensington Gardens when the Darlings meet Nana in Chapter 1: "this nurse was a prim Newfoundland dog, called Nana [...] the Darlings had become acquainted with her in Kensington Gardens." Another example of historical references include those to North American "Indians" or Native Americans, which resemble Tiger Lily's tribe in Neverland. Hook calls them "redskins" (which is now known as a racial slur). The story also references tomahawks (a type of axe or hatchet used by Native Americans) and tom-toms (cylindrical drums associated with Native American culture). It is important to note the largely negative and degrading caricatures of Tiger Lily and her father, the chief of her tribe. There is also an incredibly racist passage in Chapter 10:
“The great white father,” he would say to them in a very lordly manner, as they grovelled at his feet, “is glad to see the Piccaninny warriors protecting his wigwam from the pirates.”
Related Themes:
