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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
Allusions
Explanation and Analysis—TV Shows:
Twyla alludes to contemporary pop culture to illustrate the feeling of hollowness many children and parents experienced as they navigated desegregation controversies:
Other mothers organized living room sessions so the kids would keep up. None of the kids could concentrate so they drifted back to The Price Is Right and The Brady Bunch.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Jimi Hendrix:
After the story's first large time jump, Roberta makes an allusion to Jimi Hendrix (a well-known contemporary musician) to snub Twyla and demonstrate how far the two have grown apart:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Instead she lit a cigarette off the one she’d just finished and said, 'We’re on our way to the Coast. He’s got an appointment with Hendrix.' She gestured casually toward the boy next to her. 'Hendrix? Fantastic,' I said. 'Really fantastic. What’s she doing now?' Roberta coughed on her cigarette and the two guys rolled their eyes up at the ceiling. 'Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix, asshole. He’s only the biggest— Oh, wow. Forget it.'
Related Themes:
