define flat character allusion literary definition

Their eerie looks suggest that they know what will happen (the men dying), yet don’t care.” Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad “The two knitting women increase his anxiety by gazing at him and all the other sailors with knowing unconcern. To better understand how allusions work, let’s take a look at a few examples from literature and examine how they add deeper meaning to their respective stories. Or, sometimes, they simply help to develop imagery and vivid descriptions. Why Is Allusion Used?Īllusions function a lot like symbolism they allow writers to express complex ideas and emotions in a simplified way by drawing comparisons.īecause of this, allusions can play a big role in developing themes and motifs, or the bigger idea behind a story. When such a reference is made in literature, it’s like a little shout-out to these other figures or events from popular culture, and they’re never thrown in by accident. What Is a Literary Allusion?Īn allusion is a brief, indirect reference that is made to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural.

By learning to recognize these references, you can enjoy a much deeper understanding of many of your favorite works. You might think of allusions as subtle nods or inside jokes that writers use to add depth to their writing, while drawing connections to other stories, individuals, or events. One device that helps them achieve this is allusion, or an indirect reference to other people, places, or things from art, myths, or history. The most skilled writers know how to artfully pack several layers of meaning into just a few sentences or paragraphs.

Define flat character allusion literary definition