Allusion examples and types

Allusion

The  allusion refers to a type of linguistic resource ( rhetorical figure ) in which we try to mention (but without saying so) a specific example that serves as a reference for something. In other words the allusion refers to something without mentioning it. Allusion examples 

This must be understood (directly or indirectly) by the reader. That is because it is understood similarly to that of a metaphor .

In an allusion you may want to represent people, circumstances, things, animals, myths, works of art, etc. An example of this is:

” Veronica was so beautiful that it looked like a sculpture by Michelangelo .”

In this example the writer tries to compare the beauty of Veronica with the sculptures of the work of “Michelangelo” ( Michelangelo Buonarroti) .

Another example of this would be:

” Gastón and Naomi: His love was so deep that even Romeo and Juliet would have been surprised .”

On this occasion the author tries to compare the love of two young people with those of the famous work of Romeo and Juliet.

Allusions urgently need to turn to the previous knowledge of the recipient of the message. The more knowledge a person has, the higher their level may be to understand allusions.

As we have seen, the use of allusions provides the reader and writer with a tool to beautify what is meant. It could even be assumed that the use of the allusion corresponds to a poetic way of using a literary resource for the transmission of something. Allusion examples 

Allusions may contain characters from legends , comics, movies, stories, characters, etc.

On the one hand, allusions require the knowledge and lexical wealth of the listener or receiver. But on the other hand the allusions clarify much the idea that the issuer or writer wishes to communicate.

Types of allusion

There are two types of allusion:

Literary or rhetorical allusion . In this case it is essential that the reader has a knowledge of the allusion to which the writer makes mention or reference. An example of this is the following example:

” Rodolfo has always been a bit like Peter Pan .”

In this case we try to compare the adventures of Peter Pan (the eternal child) with the “childish behavior” of an adult.

Direct allusion . The direct allusion tries to say in other words a phrase or statement that is understood by any person since it is necessary to resort to the common sense or experiences of each person. Examples of these could be: Allusion examples 

” Manuel was preparing for the eternal dream “

Here ” eternal dream ” refers to death. Another example would be:

“ The merchandise was sold as hot bread ”

Here the writer explains that the merchandise was sold with the same ease with which fresh bread is sold.

How and when to use the term allusion?

The allusion can be used in formal language. Mostly the texts that use it are those literary texts where the decoration of said message is necessary to generate a reaction in the receiver of the same. For example, they are used in rhetoric or poetic literature and argumentative texts, among others. Allusion examples 

Examples of direct allusion

1. These women shopped and looked like ruthless vultures when they bought those Christmas offers.
2. They are rude. They look like wild beasts because of the lack of manners. (rude)
3. Juan was a Tiger in sales. He was the best seller in the company (he was the best seller)
4. His mind lit. It was a radiant lamp of ideas! (Had an idea)
5. The girl with the golden hair (blond boy)
6. And finally José put on the wooden suit (passed away)
7. His devotion was such that he looked like man’s best friend (like a dog)
8. His snake attitude (he crawled to get something)
9. The women at the hairdresser were parrots with hair (women who talk too much)
10. She had become an amoeba (referring to a person’s lack of reaction in a given circumstance or moment)

Examples of literary or rhetorical allusion

1. He was fast as Superman . Referring to the character of Superman who was fast and kind to all mankind.
2. Romina was worse than Cinderella’s stepmother . In this case, the evil of a person is metaphorically compared with that of the character of the famous Cinderella story.
3. The children looked like Hansel and Gretel (because of their naivety).
4. Julio reminded me of the hunchback of Notre Dame (for his unpleasant physical appearance but his infinite goodness and inner sweetness)
5. She was a Goddess of Olympus (for her greatness and beauty)
6. His strength reminded me of the Hulk (for the character “the incredible Hulk”)
7. I slept so much that it looked like Sleeping Beauty (for the children’s story of the same name)
8. Maria had cleaned her entire room in record time. She really was Wonder Woman
9. His face looked like Tutankhamun (alluding to an Egyptian mummy for wrinkles)
10. Pavarotti, they told Juanita (because of the way she sang)