Mythology--Understanding the

Allusions
The 4 Key Elements of a Myth

1. Explains something in nature.

2. Teaches a moral lesson
3. Includes the supernatural (gods/goddesses, monsters, heroes)
4. Has a basic conflict:
a. god vs man
b. man vs nature
c. god vs god
d. good vs evil
Examples of Allusions

https://www.google.com/search?q=Dorothy+must+die+book+cover&client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=qCVnhd_ABL8V3M%253A
%252CZUocLjtJzTmOFM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-
kQwvLAjOu3i0TEc8WHH_8kQooOIOQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjGrpOst_biAhUKjq0KHdI6DjsQ9QEwBHoECAQQDA#imgrc=qCVnhd_ABL8V3M:
Examples of Allusions cont.

https://www.google.com/search?q=the+mona+lisa&client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isc
h&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=juz4w55SAwTqeM%253A%252CGpKhf9y33Hy6JM%252C
%252Fm%252F0jbg2&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kRskjoCZP9Sk5gnrts2o9RC7wa3sg&sa=X&ved=
2ahUKEwic6aPvsvjiAhVSaq0KHdbkD0kQ_B0wHnoECAoQAw#imgrc=Lj_xUuT6BPc-
YM:&vet=1

https://www.google.com/search?q=mona+lisa+smile+
movie&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved
=0ahUKEwikoPWOuPbiAhVJY6wKHXKZC_oQ_AUIECgB&biw=1
280&bih=587#imgrc=Ztq3ahSrWvKe6M:
Examples of Allusions cont.

Character named Mr. Poe

Sons’ names Edgar and Allan

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-
d&biw=1280&bih=587&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=VKIKXb2FOYSUsgXjm47ICg&q=lemony+snicket+a+series+of+unfortunate+events+movie&oq=lemony+m
ovie&gs_l=img.1.2.0i7i30l7j0i24.169724.172020..174240...0.0..0.67.415.7......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0.H_h2v6nwVlQ
Examples of Allusions cont.
Love Story by Taylor Swift

‘Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter

And my daddy said "Stay away from Juliet

https://www.google.com/search?q=love+story+taylor+swift+lyrics&client=firefox-b-1-
d&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCy7jvu_biAhVHiqwKHV9uDfEQ_AUICygA&biw=1280&bih=587&dpr=1
Examples of Allusions cont.

https://www.google.com/search?q=east+of+eden+book&client=firefox-b-1-
d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhu9DGuvbiAhURbKwKHWUhD0AQ_AUIESgC&biw=1280&bih=587#imgrc=Qy3Fqp215U3_fM:
Allusion
Definition: a reference to a piece of literature or an historical event or person

Purpose: the author wants the reader to understand something about character,
setting, plot, mood, etc.
Mythical Allusions--Literary and Non-Literary
In pairs,
1. Find one example of a mythical allusion in literature, i.e., Harry Potter, Percy
Jackson, comic books, etc. Explain how this allusion adds to the
understanding of the literature (setting, character, plot, mood, etc).
2. Find one non-literary mythical allusion in everyday. Explain how this
allusion adds to the product.
3. Draw or print a visual representation of the literary and AND the non-
literary allusion. Put the explanations and the visual representations on a
piece of computer paper.
4. We will post these around the classroom for all to enjoy in a gallery walk.