Allusions Part 2

Catch 22

no winning outcome in a situation; contradictory rules make it impossible to make progress

Don Quixote

Delusional character and disconnected from reality (quixotic/quixotism)

The Holy Grail

Perfection, Ultimate Connection to God, Rare to find, eternal life

Arthur

Arthurian Myths consisting of a noble leader, uniting people, chivalry, betrayal

Bitter Old Maid

Not meeting societal expectations, punishes noncomformity, represses female independence

Don Juan

Seduction, danger, moral corruption

Lilliput and Brobdingnag (STories of tall and small)

Lilliputian-Political pettiness, narrow viewpoint, exaggerated

Brobdingnag-Moral rationale

Uncle Tom

Original Meaning: Heroic, Christlike

Modern: Subservient to white people/betrays their own race

Dante

Moral and Spiritual Journey

Huckleberry FInn

Free spirited rebel; child who rejects societal norms

Fool and Wise Fool

Frankenstein

Unchecked ambition, monstrous creation, rejection and isoaltion

Galahad

Innocent, succeed without internal struggle, leaves story when purpose is fulfilled, enivtable role

Guinevere

Beauty,love betrayal, beautiful girl, tragic queen

Innocent/Sacrificial Lamb

Innocent character who suffers for the sake of others; death signals a turning point

Jekyll and Hyde

Person with 2 different sides to their personality; good and evil

Kafkaesque

Nightmarish situation that is often grotesque and surreal

The Lady in the Lake

Water, divine feminity, duality between safety and danger, aid to others

Lancelot

Idealized chivarly in a perfect knight; represents moral conflcit (duty v desire); forbidden lover, fallen knight

Lothario

Man who seduces and women; usually ends tragically

Moby Dick/WHite whale

A goal that is impossible to achieve; destructive fixation