Allusion is a literary technique where one work references another without explanation. Biblical allusions are common due to emotional and intellectual associations with the Bible. Allusions can serve specific purposes, such as disproving original meaning or creating new associations. Highly educated readers may find densely packed allusions emotionally charged, while others may find them incomprehensible.
Allusion is a technique used in literature where one literary work refers to another literary work, work of art, historical figure, place or event. In general, this passing reference is not explained by the writer, so only readers familiar with the reference work tend to notice it. Writers use the allusion in literature for a variety of different reasons. In some cases, a literary reference is used simply because it has already communicated what the writer wants to say better than he himself could have. In most cases, however, writers make allusions because of the many emotions or ideas readers may associate with the works the writer alludes to.
Biblical allusions are among the most common types of allusion in literature. Biblical allusions are so prevalent because the Bible is widely read, so more people are likely to notice and recognize the biblical references. Additionally, many people, particularly those from religious backgrounds, make strong emotional and intellectual associations with certain passages in the Bible. The use of biblical allusions serves not only to communicate Bible verses, but also to evoke the many emotions and ideas that people associate with those passages. The allusion, therefore, goes far beyond the literal words on the page and taps into a body of thoughts and emotions that people associate with other topics.
In many cases, the allusions serve a more specific purpose than simply tapping into a body of associations. In some cases the reference to another work is given in a context drastically opposite to the original meaning. This technique is often used to disprove the meaning of the original and to assert a new meaning. Other uses of allusion in literature actually reference multiple sources at once to create new associations and force the reader to evaluate one or more works in the context of others.
Some works of literature are densely packed with allusions, many of which refer to specific, obscure works that the ordinary reader might have little hope of understanding. For the highly educated reader, however, this can lead to a complex reading experience, filled with emotionally charged and intellect associations. An individual who does not understand most of the references, on the other hand, may find the reading completely incomprehensible. Some writers use allusion in literature in this way to create a complex and associative reading experience. Others do it to create a reading experience filled with challenges and puzzles that can only be solved with a great deal of research and study.
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