ALLUSION: A reference (in literature) to a person, place, or event. Allusions stem from mythology, religious text (namely, the Bible), history, legend, and earlier literary works. Authors employ allusion for many reasons such as to set a tone, to establish similarity or variation, to reveal juxtaposition, etc. Each author's purpose will vary. Authors presume readers are familiar with the primary source and will relate the meaning to the new context.

 

Did you notice any allusions in the tales you read from The Canterbury Tales? Did you ever wonder why Chaucer used these allusions? Did you ever wonder how the allusions enriched the stories? Did you notice you had no clue as to what some of the allusions were about! J Well, here is your chance to expand your awareness and explore literature through a new avenue! (The excitement is overwhelming!)

 

Step 1: Locate allusions and categorize them in the following subgroups: historical, mythological, and religious.

 

Step 2: Pick a focus. Choose specific tales and allusions. Research the allusions to become an expert in them.

And do not fear, I have a whole system of research to teach you! It will be fabulous!

 

Step 3: Determine the overall purpose of allusion in the tales and create a thesis for a paper.

 

Step 4: The writing process: a paper and a works cited list.

 

It is no longer sufficient to recognize allusion. Now, you must ask, Hmm … why is there allusion? How

does it affect the reader's understanding of the story's theme, tone, moral, characters, etc. Excited,

aren't ch'ya! J

 

Assignment (points possible)                                                                                     Due Date

 

Allusion Chart (10 points)                                                                                                     _________________

 

Preliminary Research (20 points)

(10 note c¥ds; 4 source cards)                                                                                              _________________

 

Thesis and 3 Statements (10 points)

Of Organization                                                                                                                    _________________

 

Preliminary Outline (10 points)                                                                                              _________________

 

Final Outline (10 points)                                                                                                        _________________

 

Preliminary Draft (30 points) BRING 3 COPIES ON DUE DATE                                        _________________

 

Final Draft and Works Cited List (110 points)                                                                       _________________

 

Name of Tale	Biblical Allusion from Chaucer with Page Number	Mythical Allusion from Chaucer with Page Number	Historical Allusion from Chaucer with Page Number	Literary Allusion from Chaucer with Page Number