Allusion

An allusion is a reference, within a literary work, to another work of fiction, a film, a piece of art, or even a real event.

An allusion serves as a kind of shorthand, drawing on this outside work to provide greater context or meaning to the situation being written about.

Common literary allusions are Greek/Roman mythology and famous works of Shakespeare. But the most common literary allusion is the Bible.

As you read the second half of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, decide what famous text Kesey is alluding to. What figure from history is McMurphy compared to in the novel?

Check out the trailer for Warm Bodies. What famous literary text is the movie constantly alluding to?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07s-cNFffDM