Literary Allusion

A literary allusion is a brief, indirect reference to a well-known person, event, character, or work from literature, history, or culture. Writers use allusions to suggest ideas or connections without elaborating, allowing knowledgeable readers to recognize the reference and deepen their understanding. It acts as a shortcut to evoke shared knowledge and add layers of meaning to the text. For example, mentioning "a Herculean task" alludes to Hercules’ strength and difficulty, instantly conveying the challenge without extensive explanation.