Figurative Language III

ALLUSION

An allusion is a short, informal reference to a famous person or event.These are usually drawn from history, Greek and Roman mythology, Shakespeare, the Bible and literature.

Cultural Literacy

• This is being aware of the allusions that have been set up within our society.

• It is know the allusions and references even without having read all of the literature.

• In writing today we have to be more careful with allusions because our cultural literacy can no longer be assumed

Eponym

• This is a specific type of allusion. The person that is being alluded to is substituted for the attribute itself.

• Examples• I would need to be Hercules to lift

this box of books off of the floor and on to the shelf.

• All of my students are young Einsteins.

Apostrophe

• An apostrophe is a direct address to someone, whether present or absent, and whether real, imaginary or personified.

• The next opportunity for a snow day---sorry to tell you this—is not until January.

epithet

• An epithet is an adjective or adjective phrase that describes key characteristics of the noun.

• Examples:• Brightening dawn• Cruel murder• Laughing happiness• Sneering contempt• Untroubled sleep

Metaphorical epithets

• These are epithets that usually contain personification

• ExamplesJoyous nightJocund dayLazy roadSleeping nightSmirking billboardsTired landscapeWandering river

Transferred Epithet

• This is an adjective modifying a noun that it usually would not modify even though it makes figurative sense.

• The ragged breathing of the old man came from beyond the curtain.