AllusionAllusion

Definition:Definition:

Allusion Allusion is a brief reference to a person, is a brief reference to a person, event, or place, real or ficticious, or to a event, or place, real or ficticious, or to a work of art. Casual reference to a famous work of art. Casual reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event.historical or literary figure or event.An allusion may be drawn from history, An allusion may be drawn from history, geography, literature, or religion. geography, literature, or religion.

Example:Example:Stephen Vincent Benet's story "By the Stephen Vincent Benet's story "By the Waters of Babylon" contains a direct Waters of Babylon" contains a direct reference to Psalm 137 in the Bible.reference to Psalm 137 in the Bible.

An allusion is a reference, something An allusion is a reference, something you you allude allude to: “Her allusion to flowers to: “Her allusion to flowers reminded me that Valentine’s Day reminded me that Valentine’s Day was coming.” In that English paper, was coming.” In that English paper, don’t write “literary illusions” when don’t write “literary illusions” when you mean "allusions.” A mirage, you mean "allusions.” A mirage, hallucination, or a magic trick is an hallucination, or a magic trick is an illusion.illusion. (Doesn’t being fooled just (Doesn’t being fooled just make you make you ill?ill?) )

Billy Joel & “We Didn’t Start the Billy Joel & “We Didn’t Start the Fire”Fire”

We didn't start the fireWe didn't start the fireIt was always burning since the It was always burning since the world's been turningworld's been turningWe didn't start the fireWe didn't start the fireNo, we didn't light itNo, we didn't light itBut we tried to fight it But we tried to fight it

Recognizing Allusion Recognizing Allusion

We are going to listen to the song We are going to listen to the song “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel. “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel. While we listen, I would like you to While we listen, I would like you to write down every allusion you hear. write down every allusion you hear. After the song ends, we will talk about After the song ends, we will talk about allusion and how Joel used it, and allusion and how Joel used it, and what he is referring to in the chorus what he is referring to in the chorus (we didn’t start the fire) and in his (we didn’t start the fire) and in his listing of people, events and places.listing of people, events and places.

Writing ActivityWriting Activity

In your groups, you will write a new In your groups, you will write a new stanza (fitting for the current stanza (fitting for the current generation) that uses allusion. For generation) that uses allusion. For example:example:

Student Examples:Student Examples:

Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, George Bush, Ross Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, George Bush, Ross PerotPerot

Tonya Harding, Susan Smith, Lorena Bobbit Tonya Harding, Susan Smith, Lorena Bobbit didn’t missdidn’t miss

Oklahoma, Waco, Bosnia, CastroOklahoma, Waco, Bosnia, CastroForrest Gump, Lion King, Mr. Holland on the Forrest Gump, Lion King, Mr. Holland on the

screenscreenBaseball strike, Super Bowl, Nolan Ryan is Baseball strike, Super Bowl, Nolan Ryan is

getting oldgetting oldMichael Jackson and O.J., what else do I have Michael Jackson and O.J., what else do I have

to say?to say?

Regan’s out, Bush’s inRegan’s out, Bush’s inChicago Bulls win againChicago Bulls win againDesert Storm, Stormin’ Norman,Desert Storm, Stormin’ Norman,Bush’s out, global warmin’Bush’s out, global warmin’Bill and Hillary rule the nationBill and Hillary rule the nationWhitewater investigationWhitewater investigation

Oklahoma City bombOklahoma City bombSusan Smith’s a bad momSusan Smith’s a bad momValujet, TWAValujet, TWABranch Dividians, O.J.Branch Dividians, O.J.Unibomber, gay rightsUnibomber, gay rightsBosnia, Baseball strikesBosnia, Baseball strikes

Superman paralyzedSuperman paralyzedKurt Cobain- suicideKurt Cobain- suicideForrest Gump, Michael CrichtonForrest Gump, Michael CrichtonHugh Grant, Mike TysonHugh Grant, Mike TysonTupac, Easy-ETupac, Easy-ECindy Crawford, Lion KingCindy Crawford, Lion KingMTV, Pauly ShoreMTV, Pauly ShoreI can’t take it anymore!I can’t take it anymore!

Josh and PatJosh and Pat

Bush, Gore, no one really knows the scoreBush, Gore, no one really knows the scoreMTV, VH1, Simon says “you’re done!”MTV, VH1, Simon says “you’re done!”

Left Behind, CSI, Sega never made a dimeLeft Behind, CSI, Sega never made a dimeAttorney Thompson, rap, games, who’ll Attorney Thompson, rap, games, who’ll

really get the blamereally get the blame

Phantom Menace, Blade III, Michael Jackson Phantom Menace, Blade III, Michael Jackson in a zooin a zoo

Brittney Spears, Tom Hangs, which has more Brittney Spears, Tom Hangs, which has more money in the bank?money in the bank?

Kevin, Aaron and AaronKevin, Aaron and Aaron

Birth control, Tim McVeigh, The bloody Birth control, Tim McVeigh, The bloody gove is no OJ’sgove is no OJ’s

Clinton, Enron, Bosnia, PokemonClinton, Enron, Bosnia, Pokemon

Recount, blackout, when will US troops Recount, blackout, when will US troops get out?get out?

Building tension with Iran, US in Building tension with Iran, US in AfghanistanAfghanistan

Virgil, Thomas and KeithVirgil, Thomas and Keith

Indian children so poor, why is J-Lo a whoreIndian children so poor, why is J-Lo a whoreBlasting aliens deception, fatalities, why Blasting aliens deception, fatalities, why

does R-Kelly seem like animality?does R-Kelly seem like animality?Paris Hilton has a lot of sass, as George W Paris Hilton has a lot of sass, as George W

acts like milk-chan dumbassacts like milk-chan dumbassWar of three ringsWar of three ringsWar on terrorism continues to singWar on terrorism continues to singEnron cooks the booksEnron cooks the booksMartha decorates prison nooksMartha decorates prison nooksWardrobe malfunction and W’s disfunctionWardrobe malfunction and W’s disfunction

M. Staats & B. KatchmarM. Staats & B. Katchmar

Lots of rap, rock is deadLots of rap, rock is deadClinton got a lot of headClinton got a lot of headGolden Eye, Halo, DoomGolden Eye, Halo, DoomLearned how to shoot up the roomLearned how to shoot up the roomLots of trilogy’s on the screenLots of trilogy’s on the screenTerrorists got really mean.Terrorists got really mean.New York lights up lots of flaresNew York lights up lots of flaresBush’s lap dog, Tony BlairBush’s lap dog, Tony BlairLots of drug busts, medical weedLots of drug busts, medical weedTsunami means lots of kids to feed.Tsunami means lots of kids to feed.School shootings, gun controlSchool shootings, gun controlHow low do we have to go?How low do we have to go?

Mortal Kombat, Doom and QuakeMortal Kombat, Doom and QuakeLiberman these games did shakeLiberman these games did shakeColumbine, 19 deadColumbine, 19 deadDoom taught me to shoot for the headDoom taught me to shoot for the headIBM, Windows, DOSIBM, Windows, DOSBill Gates is still the bossBill Gates is still the bossInternet, google, plus and comInternet, google, plus and comAll those businesses did bombAll those businesses did bombJackie Chan, starred in “tux”Jackie Chan, starred in “tux”Grand theft auto, candy sucksGrand theft auto, candy sucks50-cent booed off the stage, malcanrow, fits of rage50-cent booed off the stage, malcanrow, fits of rageMichael Jackson, Neverland, touching kids, will it never end?Michael Jackson, Neverland, touching kids, will it never end?Tim McVeigh, Oklahoma, bombings, world trade centerTim McVeigh, Oklahoma, bombings, world trade centerCell phones, hard rock, ozzfest, hitchcockCell phones, hard rock, ozzfest, hitchcockAl Gore, Nader, Arnold is the governator.Al Gore, Nader, Arnold is the governator.

Martha Stewart, Scott PetersonMartha Stewart, Scott PetersonMichael Jackson, EminemMichael Jackson, EminemSnoop Dog, Kobe Bryant They are all going to trialSnoop Dog, Kobe Bryant They are all going to trialIraq, Afghanistan, Osama Bin LadenIraq, Afghanistan, Osama Bin Laden9-11, Crude Oil, Saddam Hussien9-11, Crude Oil, Saddam HussienGas prices have gone insaneGas prices have gone insane

Lord of the Rings, Kill Bill, Lord of the Rings, Kill Bill, Might as well take a sleeping pillMight as well take a sleeping pill

Conan, Jay, David Letterman theyConan, Jay, David Letterman theyAll take control of the late night segmentAll take control of the late night segment

Ev, Jesse and DennisEv, Jesse and Dennis

Kerry, Bush, Michael MooreKerry, Bush, Michael MoorePrelude to Iraqi warPrelude to Iraqi warJanet Jackson, bra malfunctionJanet Jackson, bra malfunctionSpears, Madonna kiss injunctionSpears, Madonna kiss injunctionMacintosh, Napster, MicrosoftMacintosh, Napster, MicrosoftBit Torrent, Kazaa, Rip it offBit Torrent, Kazaa, Rip it offWill we ever see revision?Will we ever see revision?Monster Garage, Survivor, ApprenticeMonster Garage, Survivor, ApprenticeToo much reality televisionToo much reality televisionTrading Spaces redoes the floorTrading Spaces redoes the floorI can’t take it anymoreI can’t take it anymore

Links where you can find more Links where you can find more information on the song and information on the song and

it’s many meanings:it’s many meanings: http://www.school-for-champions.comhttp://www.school-for-champions.com

/history/start_fire_lyrics.htm/history/start_fire_lyrics.htm http://www.teacheroz.com/fire.htmhttp://www.teacheroz.com/fire.htm http://www.billyjoel.com/http://www.billyjoel.com/

discography/startthefire.htmldiscography/startthefire.html