Ap lang allusions

St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas was a medieval Catholic philosopher and theologian whose work shaped Western thought, especially in ethics and natural law theory. His writings in Summa Theologica linked reason with faith and argued that moral truth is rooted in God’s eternal law. He remains one of the most influential thinkers in Christian and philosophical history.

Paul Tillich (“tragic separation”)

Paul Tillich was a 20th-century theologian known for connecting Christian theology with existential philosophy. His idea of the “tragic separation” refers to humanity’s brokenness and separation from God due to sin. Tillich’s work influenced modern discussions of faith, morality, and the human condition.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

These three young Jewish men appear in the Book of Daniel as symbols of courage and faithfulness under persecution. They refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol and were thrown into a fiery furnace. Their survival became an enduring biblical example of divine protection and steadfast belief.

Daniel (lions’ den)

Daniel is a major figure in the Old Testament known for his loyalty to God while living under foreign rule in Babylon. He was thrown into a lion’s den for praying to God instead of obeying a king’s decree. His miraculous survival symbolizes faith, obedience, and God’s power to deliver the righteous.

Socrates

Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher whose method of questioning laid the foundation for Western logic, ethics, and philosophy. He challenged Athenian society to examine its beliefs and values, which led to his trial and execution. His life and death established the principle of pursuing truth even at personal cost.

Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party (1773) was a colonial protest against British taxation, specifically the Tea Act. American colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to oppose what they saw as unfair tax policies and lack of representation. The event became a major catalyst for the American Revolution.

Hitler

Adolf Hitler was the dictator of Nazi Germany whose leadership led to World War II and the Holocaust. He established a totalitarian regime rooted in racism, antisemitism, and militarism. His actions caused one of the deadliest conflicts in human history and remain a symbol of extreme tyranny and moral evil.

Hungarian Freedom Fighters

The Hungarian Freedom Fighters were civilians and soldiers who revolted against Soviet domination in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Their uprising represented a powerful struggle for national independence and political freedom during the Cold War. Although the revolt was crushed, it became a global symbol of resistance against oppressive regimes.