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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
Key Examples in The Bean Trees
Chapter 2: New Year’s Pig
Explanation and Analysis—Gumby Doll:
In this line, the narration uses an allusion to the pop-culture figure Gumby to capture the bodily and emotional strain of argument:
The arguments made her feel that her bones were made of something like the rubber in a Gumby doll, that her body could be bent into any shape and would stay that way.
Related Themes:
Chapter 3: Jesus Is Lord Used Tires
Explanation and Analysis—Hippo Ballerinas:
In this scene, the narration uses both a simile and an allusion to describe the morning clouds as the narrator crosses into Arizona:
Unlock with LitCharts A+We crossed the Arizona state line at sunup. The clouds were pink and fat and hilarious-looking, like the hippo ballerinas in a Disney movie.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Gregory Peck:
This passage from Chapter 3 uses an allusion to actor Gregory Peck to color the narrator’s description of a stranger:
Unlock with LitCharts A+He had on camouflage army pants and a black baseball cap with cloth flaps hanging down in the back, such as Gregory Peck or whoever it was always wore in those old Foreign Legion movies. His T-shirt said VISITOR FROM ANOTHER PLANET. That’s me, I thought. I should be wearing that shirt.
Related Themes:
Chapter 5: Harmonious Space
Explanation and Analysis—Believe it or Not:
In this moment, the narrator uses allusion to humorously frame an observation:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"That’s amazing,” I said. “Your cat ought to be in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Or one of those magazine columns where people write in and tell what cute things their pets do, like parakeets that whistle Dixie or cats that will only sleep on a certain towel with pictures of goldfish on it."
Related Themes:
Chapter 8: The Miracle of Dog Doo Park
Explanation and Analysis—The Marlboro Man:
In this description, Kingsolver uses allusion to frame Lou Ann’s first impression of Angel in terms that carry both cultural familiarity and symbolic weight.
Unlock with LitCharts A+The first time I laid eyes on him he was draped on this fence like the Marlboro man, with his arms out to the sides and one boot up on the bottom rung.
Related Themes:
Chapter 16: Soundness of Mind and Freedom of Will
Explanation and Analysis—St. Christopher:
In this scene in Chapter 16, the narration uses an allusion to the Catholic tradition of St. Christopher to deepen the emotional and thematic weight of the moment:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Esperanza wiped Turtle’s nose with Estevan’s big handkerchief and kissed her on both cheeks. Then she unclasped the gold medallion of St. Christopher, guardian saint of refugees, and put it around Turtle’s neck.
Related Themes:
