Al·lu·sion     
noun: allusion; plural noun: allusions
  1. an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
    "an allusion to Shakespeare"
    synonyms:reference to, mention of, suggestion of, hint to, intimation of, comment on, remark on 
    "the town's name is an allusion to its founding family"
  2. the practice of making allusions, especially as an artistic device.

🧠 Learning to Identify Allusions

Directions: Use the song lyrics below to practice identifying allusions.  Explain why the song writers chose to make those particular allusions.  What meanings does each allusion convey?

Song 1
"Shadrach" by the Beastie Boys
“And the man upstairs, I hope that he cares.
If I had a penny for my thoughts I’d be a millionaire.
We’re just 3 M.C.’s and we’re on the go –
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego!”

(HINT:  Look up those unusual first names.  Who are these guys? What did they do? How do the Beastie Boys use the allusion to add meaning to their song?)

Song 2
"Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio
“As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I take a look at my life and realize there’s nothing left.
Cause I’ve been blastin’ and laughin’ so long that
Even my mama thinks my mind is gone.”
Song 3
"Firework" by Katy Perry
(SOURCE:  The Guardian)
Firework by Katy Perry is inspired by On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Despite it’s widely parodied opening line – “Do you ever feel like a plastic bag” – the chorus from the smash-hit Firework by Katy Perry has an unlikely source of inspiration: Jack Kerouac’s Beat generation classic, On the Road.

Compare the lyrics:
"You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine, just own the night like the 4th of July. Cause, baby, you’re a firework, come on, show ‘em what you’re worth, make ‘em go, aah, aah, aah, As you shoot across the sky."

… with this famous quotation from Kerouac’s novel:

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes, “Awww!”"
HONORS ONLY:
Make a 3 song/poem playlist with songs/poems that contain at least one allusion.
  1. Print the lyrics/poems.
  2. Highlight the allusion and identify its source (book, movie, story, etc.).
  3. Explain why the writer chose the allusion and how the allusion adds to the meaning of the poem.
  4. Be prepared to share one of your choices with the class.
  5. Due Wednesday, September 26.

SCORING GUIDE:
3 points --  One point for each song/poem
3 points --  One point for each of the allusions identified in the 3 songs/poems
15 points -- Five points per explanation (Why the writer chose to make that allusion)
4 points -- Sharing one song with a small group (no actual singing required!)