Stylistic classification of the english vocabulary

e) Allusions

An allusion is a reference, by word or phrase, to a historical, literary, mythological, biblical facts or to a fact of everyday life made in the course of speaking or writing. The use of allusion is based on the accumulated experi­ence and knowledge of the writer who presupposes a similar experience and knowledge in the reader. As a rule no indication of the source is given. This is one of the notable differences between quotation and allusion.

Allusions and quotations may be termed nonce-set expres­sions because tnev are used only for the occasion.

Allusion, as nas been pointed out, needs no indication of the source. It is assumed to be known. Therefore most allusions are made to facts with which the general reader should be familiar. However allusions are sometimes ma­de to things and facts which need commentary before they are understood. To these belongs the allusion- paradox, for example:

A nephew called Charlie is something I can't

Put up with at all since it makes me his aunt.

The allusion here is made to a well-known play and later film "Charlie's Aunt" in which a man is disguised as a woman.

Sometimes allusion is the only key which is used in the text to understand the whole meaning of the text.

Allusions are used in different functional styles, but their function is everywhere the same. The deciphering of an allusion, however, is not always easy. In newspaper headlines allusions may be decoded at first glance. E.g.: "Pie in the sky for Railmen". (Daily Worker). The most people in the USA and Britain know the refrain of the workers' song: "You'll get pie in the sky when you die. "

The use of part of the sentence-refrain implies that the railmen had been given many promises but nothing at the present moment. Linguistically the allusion "pie in the sky' assumes a new meaning - "nothing but promises." Through frequency of repetition it may enter the word stock of the English language as a figurative synonym.

We distinguish two structural types of allusion. The first type is when allusion is realized through one word or a word combination. In this case the reference is made to certain famous names, events or facts: Henry VIII, Ann Boylein, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Voterloo.

The second type of allusion is realized through its interpretation, so to say explanation given in the text.

In the following example the allusion which is based on a biblical legend, embraces several ideas and may be called sustained:

And had it been the dove from Noah's ark Returning there from her successful search, Which in their way that moment chanced to fall, They would have ate her, olive brance and all. (Byron)

Byron gives the biblical legend a slightly humorous interpretation.

Allusions hinting at well-known situations help the writer to be more explicit and clear. The stylistic function of allusion is various: either to make comparison, or to produce a humorous effect.

The stylistic effect of an allusion can be achieved only if the facts and personages alluded to are well-known to the reader. E.g.:

"He was the meekest of his sex, the mildest of little men. He walked as softly as the Ghost in "Hamlet" and more slowly". (Dickens)

The allusion to the famous play by Shakespeare is very expressive. Dickens draws an analogy between a timid and mild person and the misty and mysterious Ghost of King in "Hamlet" to produce a humorous effect.

Thus in order to get adequate information about the use of allusion in the text the reader must be acquainted with the essence of this allusion, to know the source from which it was taken:

"He was a perfect Hercules in strength" (mythology); He has the voice of Orpheus', "the lute of Apollo."

Very often allusion is based on the names of histori­cal places, facts, events, names of people who are connec­ted with these events. E.g.:

"Caesar of course, had a little place at Val- ton... also Queen Elizabeth, she was there too." (J.K. Jerome)

Here the author mentions the names of fames people: Caesar, Queen Elizabeth who had once visited a very small town in England - Valton.