Allusion

Last week's post about alliteration prompted me to investigate other literary elements.  Allusion is another element that can add spice to your writing and broaden your readers' experience.  M. H. Abrams defined allusion as "a brief reference, explicit or indirect, to a person, place or event, or to another literary work or passage".  The allusion may be to pop culture, a piece of literature, a work of art, an historical figure, or even a biblical reference.



If someone says "he found himself intrigued by her Mona Lisa smile," we can infer the lady is one of mystery, just like the painting from Da Vinci.



If a young man faces a life choice, looks at his best friend with a smile and says, "I'm taking the road less traveled," we should immediately picture Robert Frost's famous poem.



"Et, tu, Brute" will forever be linked with a traitorous friend.






The trick is to make the reference without having to explain it.  For example, "She was surprised his nose didn't start growing like Pinocchio's when he lied," is not a grand allusion.  The reader doesn't really have to think to figure out the reference.   But if the mom walks up to the little boy after he tells a whopper, gets a close-up look at his nose, and says, "Hmm, still the same size.  You must be lucky", we chuckle as we make our own connection to Geppetto's wooden boy.





Just like alliteration, allusion (or reference) should be used sparingly, otherwise the devise itself overwhelms the writing.  Another tip would be to consider your reading audience.  I wouldn't suggest using a mythical reference in a children's book for ten year olds.  Likewise one wouldn't fill a devotional book with pop culture references.  But used correctly, allusion can be a valuable tool in your writing arsenal.



For some more examples on allusion, check out these sites:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/allusion-examples.html

http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/allusionterm.htm



Happy writing,

Karina Harris

www.karinaharrisauthor.com


Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com