Allusion英语修辞

1、 Definition Allusion refers to some person or event, either historical or fictional, that has dramatic and vivid connotation and is often used in speech and writing. It might include literary quotations, idioms, proverbs, maxims, colloquialisms(俗语), etc.Three forms2. In the form of phrases3. In the

2、form of sentences1. In the form of wordsa. Noun phrases b. Verb phrases c. Prepositional phrases In the form of words1.Shylock:a cruel, greedy, money-grabbing person, one who will go to no ends to acquire wealth; from The Merchant of Venice, by Shakespeare.夏洛克:莎士比亚的作品,冷酷无情的高利贷者2.an Uncle Tom: a meek

3、 person, especially a black, who submits to indignities and sufferings without any thought or act of rebelling; from Uncle Toms Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe.汤姆叔叔:哈丽叶特比切斯托的作品,逆来顺受的黑人 Phoenix (A symbol of immortality) 凤凰凤凰 Caesar 恺撒，独裁者恺撒，独裁者;暴君暴君 Utopia 乌托邦，指理想中的最美好社会乌托邦，指理想中的最美好社会 Indeed, the sea

4、rch for Utopia can bring out the worst as well as the best in mankind. 事实上，对乌托邦的搜索，可以显示人类最好的事情，也可以显示最坏的事情。In the form of phrases a. Noun phrases : cats paw:a tool for someone 傀儡傀儡 the apple of discord:any subject of disagreement and dissensions 争端，祸根争端，祸根 b. Verb phrases : cry wolf: give a false ala

5、rm 发假警报发假警报sell ones birthright (for a Mess of Pottages) 见利忘义bell the cat 给猫的脖子上挂铃，胆大给猫的脖子上挂铃，胆大c. Prepositional phrases ：straight from the horses mouth 据可靠消息据可靠消息It is plain enough that she has just made a cats paw of you.很显然她只不过是利很显然她只不过是利用你作为她的工具。用你作为她的工具。 In the form of sentences1.Homer sometime

6、s nods.(Even the greatest of mortals err from time to time.)智者千虑，必有一失。2.Everything is ready, all thats needed is an east wind.(All is ready except what is crucial.) 万事俱备，只欠东风。 SourceAllusions generally result from fairy tales, myths, legends and fables, the Bible, famous literary works, historical f

7、igures or events.1.来源于民间故事、传说、民间习俗、神话、历史上的著名事件，或是某个地名的典故。Meet ones Waterloo: Waterloo was the scene when Napoleon was totally defeated by Duke Wellington.suffer a decisive or final defeat or setback.一败涂地，遭遇滑铁卢Achilles heel: The only vulnerable（有弱点的） part. 原意为阿喀琉斯之踵，现致命的弱点Being careless, the national

8、 football team met their Waterloo in this match.由于疏忽大意，国家足球队在这次比赛中惨败。2.来源于一些历史书上或文学作品中的故事和人物。Gone With The Wind: Something that disappears into thin air.Mr. Bean: An eccentric(古怪的） yet good-natured（和善的） trouble maker.3.来源于佛经、圣经等宗教书上的故事、人物、礼仪等。drink water of gall（喝苦胆水）：喻指自食苦果，或过非人的生活。rule with a rod

9、of iron(用铁杖)：采用高压手段，铁腕统治The Function of Allusion By introducing variety and energy into a limited discussion allusions can please the readers and remind them of a relative story or figure. Thus allusions can enrich the work or speech by association and give it depth. Allusions are widely used not only in literature but also in news reports, political comments, scientific writings and advertisements. Pay attention to :The differences between allusion and antonomasia 1.Allusions have much more sources than antonomasias