Allusions
Allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment and the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its importance in a text.
Pygmalion example: In act 1, Higgins says: “A woman who utters such depressing and disgusting sounds has no right to be anywhere-no right to live. Remember that you are a human being with a soul and the divine gift of articulate speech; that your native language is the language of Shakespeare and Milton and The Bible; and don’t sit there crooning like a bilious pigeon.” In this line, the author makes allusions to the works of Shakespeare and Milton and the text of The Bible to emphasize how poorly Eliza speaks English. We as an audience are expected to understand these allusions because Shakespeare and Milton and The Bible should be common names to us. |