The Effect of Allusions

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Amie Fleming
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1 The Effect of Allusions Teaching Suggestions Students review the allusion of Waterloo from the previous lesson introducing allusions, and in groups or pairs, they discuss the posed questions on the song Waterloo. Then the teacher introduces how to analyze the effect and author s purpose of using allusions in the example from Ramble On. As a class, the teacher guides students through the analysis of Love Story. Then students jigsaw the next six of the song lyrics. If deemed necessary, the teacher may wish to allow students access to digital devices for research of the allusions. Finally, the students complete the last analysis individually. The teacher may opt to have students complete the challenge activity in class or for homework for a few bonus points or some other kind of reward. Please note that this method of analyzing allusions can be used with any song containing allusions, so the teacher can select songs appropriate for her students. 9

2 Before Activity: Discuss the following question with your group. "Waterloo" by Abba My, my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way The history book on the shelf Is always repeating itself Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war Waterloo - Promise to love you forever more Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo My, my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight And how could I ever refuse I feel like I win when I lose Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war Waterloo - Promise to love you forever more Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo So how could I ever refuse I feel like I win when I lose - Look at the refrain. Thinking about what you learned about the allusion to Waterloo yesterday, what does the songwriter mean by this allusion to Waterloo? Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo Revised with Permission by Laying the Foundation, Dallas, TX 10

3 The Effect of Allusions How to analyze the effect of an allusion: 1) Identify the allusion: You must be able to identify the reference before you can analyze its effect. 2) Source/meaning: You must know the source and literal meaning of the allusion. Without this knowledge, you cannot understand the comparison the author is suggesting or the intended effect. If you do not know the allusion, you ll need to do some research to discover this information. 3) Connotation: Based on the source and literal meaning, the allusion should suggest an idea or a feeling. Determine the connotation of the allusion. 4) Comparison: What is the comparison the author is making through this reference? 5) Effect: Based on the connotation and comparison, what is the effect of the allusion? What is understanding or deeper insight does the allusion provide? Directions: In the activity below, read the lines taken from music, poetry, and prose, and go through the steps of analyzing the allusion to discover the effect. 11

4 2) Source/meaning: The allusion is from and it refers literally to 3) Connotation: suggests is being compared to. 12

5 from "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen "Well I've heard there was a secret chord That David played and it pleased the Lord But you don't really care for music, do you? Well it goes like this: The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift The baffled king composing Hallelujah 13

6 from Gangsta s Paradise by Coolio As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I take a look at my life and realize there's nothin' left 'Cause I've been blasting and laughing so long, That even my mama thinks that my mind is gone 14

7 from "Boyfriend" by Justin Bieber " Tell me what you like yeah tell me what you don't I could be your Buzz Lightyear, fly across the globe I don't ever wanna fight yeah, you already know I'm a make you shine bright like you're laying in the snow Burr" 15

8 from Marilyn Monroe by Nicki Minaj I can be selfish Yeah, so impatient Sometimes I feel like Marilyn Monroe I m insecure, yeah, I make mistakes Sometimes I feel like I m at the end of the road 16

9 from Adam s Apple by Aerosmith Back when Cain was able way before the stable lighting struck right down from the sky a mother ship with fate said let's give it a try conscience was related man he was created lady luck took him by surprise a sweet and bitter fruit it surely opened his eyes well she ate it lordy it was love at first bite well she ate it never knowin wrong from right 17

10 from Where Were You by Alan Jackson Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day? Were you in the yard with your wife and children Or working on some stage in L.A.? Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke Risin' against that blue sky? Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor Or did you just sit down and cry? 18

11 from "One Thing" by One Direction "Shot me out of the sky You're my kryptonite You keep making me weak Yeah, frozen and can't breathe" 19

12 Challenge Activity: Find another allusion in a song and analyze its effect. Song: by 20

Song Lyrics. The Dover House Singers invite you to an. Wednesday 28th March pm St. Margaret s Church Hall, Putney Park Lane, SW15 5HU

Song Lyrics. The Dover House Singers invite you to an. Wednesday 28th March pm St. Margaret s Church Hall, Putney Park Lane, SW15 5HU The Dover House Singers invite you to an g n o l a g n i S Song Lyrics Wednesday 28th March 7.30-9.30pm St. Margaret s Church Hall, Putney Park Lane, SW15 5HU Visit our website: www.doverhousesingers.co.uk