Directions: Underline the allusions in the following sentences, determine to what the writer is referring, and then determine a possible meaning for the allusion. The first one is done for you.
Example: The kindergarteners were frightened of the new principal who reminded them of Cruella DeVille.
Reference to: Cruella DeVille who was a very mean lady in the movie 101 Dalmatians
Possible Meaning: The principal is a mean lady
1. I hoped to sign the birthday card our team bought for Coach, but I couldn’t find a spot to sign my name because someone went all John Hancock on it and signed his name across the whole card.
Reference to: ______________________________________________________
Possible meaning: __________________________________________________
2. Although the earthquake did a great deal of damage, it was nothing like the disaster of 9/11.
Reference to: ______________________________________________________
Possible meaning: __________________________________________________
3. I poured myself a cup of coffee in the teacher's lounge and took a sip. It wasn't Starbucks, but the jolt of hot, steamy caffeine helped wake me up.
Reference to: ______________________________________________________
Possible meaning: __________________________________________________
1. Reference to: John Hancock who was a famous signer of the Declaration of Independence
Possible meaning: Someone signed their name in a bold and attention-seeking manner
2. Reference to: The disaster of 9/11 which was a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City
Possible meaning: The damage caused by the earthquake was significant, but it was not on the same level as the devastating events of 9/11.
3. Reference to: Starbucks, a popular coffee chain
Possible meaning: The teacher's lounge coffee is not of the same high quality as Starbucks, but it still provided a much-needed caffeine boost.