Allusions - Analysis, Silas Marner by George Eliot | Silas Marner by George Eliot - English, Class 12 PDF Download

When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.

Literary and Philosophical References

• Lethe (1.2.1), a river of the underworld in Greek mythology, associated with sleep
• Mant's Bible (2.17.22), an annotated and illustrated version of the Bible published in 1817
• "beauty born of murmuring sound" (2.19.1), William Wordsworth from the poem "Three Years She Grew…," stanza 5 

Biblical References

• David and Jonathan (1.1.7), Biblical best friends
• "Calling and election sure" (1.1.7), 2 Peter 1:10
• "Not in the body, but out of the body" (1.1.9), 2 Corinthians 12:2-3
• "Like demons who had found in him a ready-garnished home" (1.3.39), Luke 11:24-25
• The psalm (1.6.19), Psalm 106:3
• "watch for the morning" (1.7.31), Psalm 130:6
• The Athanasian Creed (1.10.56), a long statement of Anglican belief
• Hephzibah (1.14.27), Isaiah 62:4
• The city of destruction (1.14.50), Sodom
• "mine own fami'ar friend" (2.16.35), Psalm 41:9

Historical References

• King George III (1.3.3, 1.11.31)

Pop Culture References

• "the flaxen-headed ploughboy" (1.11.52, 54), a song written by John O'Keefe for William Shield's ballad opera The Farmer
• Shield's ballad opera The Farmer
• "Sir Roger de Coverley" (1.11.58) a popular country dance