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
Allusions
Explanation and Analysis—Children's Crusade:
The Children's Crusade is alluded to throughout the story, most notably in a discussion between Mary O'Hare and the narrator, Vonnegut, over the fictional book Vonnegut is writing. The Children's Crusade is also alluded to when the Colonel sees the young American soldiers. In both instances, World War II is compared to the Children's Crusade.
Related Themes:
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Pillar of Salt:
At the end of the first chapter, there are two allusions to the biblical Book of Genesis:
Unlock with LitCharts A+And Lot’s wife, of course, was told not to look back where all those people and their homes had been. But she did look back, and I love her for that, because it was so human. So she was turned to a pillar of salt. So it goes. [...]
I’ve finished my war book now. The next one I write is going to be fun. This one is a failure, and had to be, since it was written by a pillar of salt.
Related Themes:
Chapter 6
Explanation and Analysis—Pilgrim the Princess:
Billy Pilgrim takes the place of Cinderella in a moment of situational irony in Chapter 6:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The boots fit perfectly. Billy Pilgrim was Cinderella, and Cinderella was Billy Pilgrim.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Dresden as Oz and Heaven:
The narrator makes use of both a simile and an allusion to the fictional city of Oz when describing what Dresden looked like when seeing it for the first time:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The boxcar doors were opened, and the doorways framed the loveliest city that most of the Americans had ever seen. The skyline was intricate and voluptuous and enchanted and absurd. It looked like a Sunday school picture of Heaven to Billy Pilgrim. Somebody behind him in the boxcar said, “Oz.” That was I. That was me. The only other city I’d ever seen was Indianapolis, Indiana.
Related Themes:
