Analyzing Allusions in English Literature

The video tutorial by Mrs. Where Stream English explains the concept of illusion in literature. It defines illusion as a brief reference to a familiar person, place, or event, aiming to create connections for the reader. The tutorial uses examples from Disney's Hercules and Shakespeare's Macbeth to illustrate how illusions work and the challenges they present if the reader is unfamiliar with the reference. It emphasizes the importance of research in understanding illusions and provides guidance on analyzing them in essays.

What is an allusion in literature?

• A direct quote from another text

• A brief reference to a familiar person, place, or event

• A fictional character created by the author

• A detailed description of a historical event

In the Disney film Hercules, what modern-day item is alluded to with 'Air Herc' shoes?

• Reebok Pumps

• Air Jordans

• Adidas Superstars

• Nike Air Max

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CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

Why might someone not fully understand an allusion?

• The allusion is too obvious

• They do not like the text

• They are not familiar with the reference

• The allusion is too long

What is a common source of allusions in Western literature?

• The Tao Te Ching

• The Quran

• The Bible

• The Bhagavad Gita

How are allusions similar to metaphors?

• They both are always easy to understand

• They both use direct comparisons

• They both provide detailed explanations

• They both convey a large amount of information quickly

In Macbeth, who does Macbeth compare himself to before committing murder?

• Tarquin

• Nero

• Julius Caesar

• Alexander the Great

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

What does the allusion to Tarquin in Macbeth reveal about Macbeth?

• His desire to be a kind ruler

• His awareness of his own immorality

• His love for Lucretia

• His ignorance of Roman history

What is the first step in analyzing an allusion in an essay?

• Comparing it to a metaphor

• Explaining the historical background

• Describing the text in detail

• Ignoring the allusion

Why is research important when analyzing allusions?

• To find out the author's favorite books

• To understand the real-world reference

• To avoid reading the text

• To rewrite the text

What should you look for when connecting an allusion to the text?

• Differences between the allusion and the text

• Similarities between the allusion and the text

• The length of the allusion

• The author's biography