|
|
Oxford Dictionary Of Reference And AllusionStock informationGeneral Fields
Special Fields
DescriptionAllusions form a colourful extension to the English language, drawing on our collective knowledge of literature, mythology, and the Bible to give us a literary shorthand for describing people, places, and events. So a cunning crook is an Artful Dodger, a daydreamer is like Billy Liar, a powerful woman is a modern-day Amazon - we can suffer like Sisyphus, fail like Canute, or linger like the smile of the Cheshire Cat. This absorbing and accessible A to Z explains the meanings of allusions in modern English, from Adonis to Zorro, Tartarus to Tarzan, and Rubens to Rambo. Fascinating to browse through, the book is based on an extensive reading programme that has identified the most commonly-used allusions. Now available in paperback, this new edition includes within each entry a short summary definition for the allusion or reference, ideal for quick reference, and at least one illustration citation from a wide range of source materials in almost every entry: from Aldous Huxley to Philip Roth, Emily Bronte to The Guardian Unlimited. A useful thematic index allows searching for allusions related to a specific topic, e.g. under Intelligence find Aristotle, Einstein, and Spock, and under Hair find Medusa, Samson, and Shirley Temple. Reviews"A brilliantly organized handbook of names, places and phrases.... A highly readable text."-Choice (praise for the previous edition) Table of contentsIntroduction; Oxford Dictionary of Reference and Allusion; Thematic Index |