American Literature / Unit 1 AML 0031 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Allusion and the Borrowed Authority
Captions available
The idea
An allusion is a reference to something outside the poem, most often scripture, classical myth or another poem, which the poet expects a reader to catch. It carries its source's weight into the new work. American poetry alludes to the Bible above all.
In practice
A reference that brings its source's weight.
Where people slip
A missed allusion loses the poem's argument.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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