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Alliteration
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 6
Explanation and Analysis—Thou Shalt Kill:
After Rowan and Citra experience their first gleaning as apprentices in Chapter 6, the narrative includes another journal entry from Scythe Curie, which describes the ten Scythe Commandments. These allude to the Ten Commandments from the Judeo-Christian tradition. They also use similar words and structures to the 17th-century dialect of English used in the King James Bible:
1) Thou shalt kill.
2) Thou shalt kill with no bias, bigotry, or malice aforethought.
3) Thou shalt grant an annum of immunity to the beloved of those who accept your coming, and to anyone else you deem worthy. [...]
Related Themes:
Chapter 27
Explanation and Analysis—Tilting at Windmills:
Before the initiation test at Harvest Conclave in Chapter 27, Citra asks Scythe Curie who will be administering it. Curie says it will be Scythe Cervantes, and then makes an allusion to the writer Cervantes to describe the scythe's style:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Do you know what today’s test will be?” Citra asked as they reached the top of the stairs and stepped into the entry vestibule.
“No—but I do know that it’s being administered by Scythe Cervantes, and he tends to be very physically minded. For all I know, he’ll have you tilting at windmills.”
Chapter 36
Explanation and Analysis—Toning the Hour:
In Chapter 36, Rowan accompanies Scythe Goddard and his crew to a Tonist cloister for a mass gleaning. Goddard and his crew kill indiscriminately, with no regard for the usual ratios of ethnicities or to the yearly gleaning quota. In a fit of righteous rage for this unchecked murder, Rowan kills Goddard and Rand before moving on to Chomsky. Rowan attacks violently and decisively, which the narrator describes using a simile, alluding to Norse mythology:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Chomsky set Rowan’s arm ablaze with the flamethrower, but Rowan rolled on the ground, putting it out, then grabbed the toning mallet from beside the altar and brought it down on Chomsky like the hammer of Thor, striking again and again and again as if he were toning the hour, until the curate grabbed his hand to stop him and said, “That’s enough, son. He’s dead.”
Related Themes:
