Introduction
Hello AMS IV Scholars!
Allusions
What are allusions? An allusion is a reference to well-known people, places, and things from myths, history, or literature.
An example of allusion would be: "Jenny hoped to meet her Prince Charming at the school dance." This is an allusion to when Cinderella met Prince Charming at the royal ball and they fell in love. Not all allusions are this obvious, though. Sometimes, we need to research the person, place, or thing being alluded to, so we can understand the meaning of the allusion.
Task
Your Turn!
Disney movies are full of allusions! They contain many references to people, places, myths, literature, or events outside of the movies.
Sometimes, the movies themselves may be allusions to another literary work. For example, the movie Frozen is inspired by a novel written by Hans Christian Andersen called The Snow Queen.
Other allusions may be found in a statement a character made in the movie. For example, in Hercules, when Meg says about Hercules, "He comes on with his innocent farm boy routine, but I could see through that in a Peloponnesian minute," she alludes to the Greek Peloponnesian War that actually did happen in history that began and ended very quickly.
Activity: Find a Disney movie that contains an allusion and create a brief Google Slide Presentation on the information you have found. Submit the assignment in your Google Classroom.
Process
Instructions
1. On your own, research on the Internet: "Disney movie allusions."
3. After learning as much as you can about the allusion in the movie, open up the Google Slide Presentation document that has been created for you in Google Classroom. Follow each step. Be sure to include photos, videos, and/or links to make your presentation impressive.
- Identify the movie
- Identify the allusion in the movie (a statement made by the character, what the movie as a whole alludes to, etc.)
- Give a short summary of the person, place, historical event, piece of literature, etc. that is alluded to.
- Include a Works Cited page.
Evaluation
Rubric
A rubric is provided in the Google Slides document and also demonstrates the following:
1. The Google Slides presentation identifies a Disney movie. (5 pts.)
2. The Google Slides presentation identifies allusion in the movie (either the movie as a whole or a statement made by a character). (5 pts.)
3. The Google Slides presentation clearly summarizes facts of the well-known person/people, place, thing, event, literary work, etc. that is alluded to. (10 pts.)
4. The Google Slides presentation includes Works Cited page (5 pts.)
Conclusion
Allusions: The Easter Eggs of Literature
Allusions can be like Easter eggs in a literary work. Sometimes, they are obvious to see, and other times, they are subtle. As you read, watch movies, or even have conversations with others, listen for key expressions and figures of speech that allude to an outside reference. If you do not have prior knowledge of who or what is being alluded to, you can research it on the Internet or ask your teacher. Have fun on your "Easter egg hunt" for allusions!
Now you should be able to:
1. Define and explain allusion.
2. Identify allusions in sample texts.
Credits
Images and GIFs
“Free Frozen Clip Art.” Blogspot.com, Blogspot, frozenclipart.blogspot.com/.
Littlehale, Kristy. “Literary Allusion.” Storyboardthat.com, American Associations of School Librarians, 5 July 2016, www.storyboardthat.com/articles/e/literary-allusions.
“Search Clipart: Search Free Clipart #1.” Clipartpanda.com, Clipart Panda, www.clipartpanda.com/clipart_images/search-free-clipart-1-60894722.
Walt Disney Animation Studios. “Disney Animated GIF.” Disney.tumblr.com, Walt Disney Animation Studios, 11 Dec. 2014, disney.tumblr.com/post/79475249172/henchmen-need-encouragement-too.