OK--so this one I definitely see. I can think of many allusions to biblical events and characters--especially in poetry. Many of the sonnets we will read will have biblical allusions. Novels are no different. One of the latest Jodi Piccoult novels is about a little girl who can heal and perform miracles, and I loved The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. If you haven't read them, they are centered upon the mystery of the bible and religion--and its political/financial power. (Both are really great movies too.) I think many of us forget that that although the Bible is religious in nature, it is also one of the most popular works of literature as well. It has poetry and stories people have read, studied, and loved for centuries. No wonder it is alluded to so often.
Here's your task--identify at least one biblical allusion. You can talk about poetry, short stories, novels, or even movies. Also, comment on why you think the Bible is referenced so often.
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One biblical allusion that I can think of would be The Chronicles of Narnia. I have never read the books, but I have seen the movies. The Bible is referenced to throughout the entire movie. One of the main characters, Aslan, represents Christ because he dies and then comes back to life not long after. I think the Bible is referenced to so often because so many people have read at least part of it. Many people are familiar with the stories in the Bible, so it makes a good allusion.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard at first to think of an allusion to the Bible because they are a little bit hidden. But once you said Jodi Picoult, many came to mind. I cannot remember the name(maybe you have read it and will recognize it) because I read it last year, but it was about a man who supposedly raped a little girl and put on death row. He acted as if he were the antichrist, provoking many controversial issues throughout the book. He died even though he was really innocent, also alluding to the Bible. I think the Bible is referenced to a lot for the same reason Shakespear is referenced, people can relate to what happens. Even though it was many years ago, the stories in the Bible still deal with love, hate, denial, and betrayal, which are also 21st century issues.
ReplyDeleteI know you mentioned the Da Vinci in your write-up at the beginning, but for some reason it is the only thing I can think of right now that had biblical allusions in a novel. The movie National Treasure also had several biblical allusions as they tried to track the "code" on the back of the dollar bill. I think that the Bible is referenced to so much due to the fact that it is the most recognizable book in the world and the vast majority of it's readers can relate to it in real life situations.
ReplyDeleteIt’s definitely true that many books, movies, poems, etc use biblical allusions. I can’t seem to think of a really good one off the top of my head, but one allusion that I can mention is that allusion of “a Good Samaritan.” That term is used today, meaning someone who has done a good deed, normally for no reward at all. This refers back to the book of Luke in the Bible, where the story of the Good Samaritan, a samaritan who brings in and cares for a man who is attacked by thieves and left on the side of the road. I think the Bible is referred to so much, because it’s the most popular book in the world. It basically is today’s book of teachings for most Christians. Why not incorporate it’s concept and stories into modern day movies and novels, when we ourselves still find the Bible interesting.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned the "Chronicles of Narnia" in one of my previous blogs but it's the only movie/ book that comes to my mind at the moment. I haven't read the book but I have seen the movie and in the movie Aslan (the lion) has to give the witch something in order to save Narnia, so the only thing that would suit her would be for him to die, this is an allusion to when Jesus died on the cross for our sins to be forgiven. After Aslan is killed, he comes back to life to help fight the battle against the witch and her clan, which is meant to be an allusion to Jesus rising from the grave. C.S. Lewis intended for this book to have tons of allusions to the Bible. I think that the Bible is referenced to so often because so many people study it and can recognize an allusion to it. The Bible is also the easiest thing to relate to, it's full of teachings about everyday life subjects. God intended for the Bible to be so easy to relate to, so that when people need to look for guidance they can open the Bible and find it.
ReplyDeleteA series of books that this most brings to mind to me is The Wheel of Time series which is the basic storyof good verses evil with controvery throughout it. there r many biblical names in these books which allude to the roles the people or places play in the book. But there are many books that bring in the bible and christianity in general because its been around for so long that u can refer many things to it.
ReplyDeleteThe best allusion to the Bible that I can think of is The Passion of the Christ. The movie is basically about the life of Christ and all the events leading up to the Resurrection. The allusions to the Bible are there because this movie is supposed to be made about the life of Christ, so possibly, people could understand it better. There are many movies, books, stories, poems, and other literary works that are references to the Bible.
ReplyDeleteAn allusion that comes to mind from the bible is the story "The Devil and Daniel Webster". In this story, Daniel Webster is the most successful lawyer in the United States. The conflict of the story is when Daniel goes to visit a friend (Jaybez Stone) who has just been married, and elected to the Senate. His friend had sold his soul to the devil, who goes by "Mr. Scratch". It dosent come out and say that he is the devil. but you get the idea. He has shabby clothes, and is covered in soot. This is an allusion to the bible of the Devil, trying to get people to sell their souls and he comes to take them to hell when its time for payment. All through the bible there is talk of the devil, and his trying to get you" so to speak. This story builds a modern story and characters with new names to reach out to the newer generations of people.
ReplyDeleteI can think of one biblical allusion that I didn't really think about until I started this chapter. "Star Wars" by George Lucas. There are movies and books, but I've only seen the movies. Everyone knows about "the force", it's something that no one can really see, but if you believe and have faith in it and use it wisely, it can help you whenever you need it. What does that remind you of? Well, God obviously. And what about how Annikan was one of the greatest jedi masters there was, but then he turned to the dark side...this was a great reference to the devil. I think that the Bible is referenced so often because it deals with a lot of things that go on today. Relationships, betrayal, sibling rivalry. You name it, the Bible has it in there.
ReplyDeleteThe closest allusion to the bible that comes to mind is the Da Vinci. I haven't ever realized how many biblical allusions are used in everyday literature or even in media. People refer to the bible in everyday conversations.
ReplyDeleteThere are many works of literature that allude to the bible. The Chronicles of Narnia, DaVinci Code, A Prayer For Owen Meany, the list goes on. In the Chronicles of Narnia, The lion is portrayed as Jesus, this is because he willingly, and knowingly sacrifices himself in order to try and save everyone. Just as Jesus went to his death in order to save everyone from their sins. The lion was resurrected from the dead, just as Jesus was as well. I believe there are so many allusions to the Bible today, because the lessons and events that occur in the Bible can still be related to life today. Also, faith is probably one of the most important topics and issues in our world.
ReplyDeleteThere are many pieces of literature that allude to the bible. The one that comes to mind to me is The Lord of The Flies, which I read along time ago. In the Lord of The Flies, Simon represents Christ and the pigs head represent Satan. Simon would often go into the forrest to mediate just like Christ did for 40 days in the desert. I think the bible is alluded to so much is because it is probably the most famous book ever written and all the stories can still be helpful today in living your life.
ReplyDeleteIn Martin Luther King's speech "I Have A Dream" he alludes to the Bible many times. such as when he says "No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." This is an allusion to Amos 5:24. Also,"I have a dream that every valley shall be exalted" alludes to Isiah 40:4. He also alludes many more times to the Bible when he talks about the Emancipation Proclamation and how he believes his people should be free and equal. The reason people allude to the Bible so much is because religion is such an important issue in our culture and people can relate to it.
ReplyDeleteI think The Chronicles of Narnia has a very vivid allusion to the Bible in the point that Aslan, the protector and leader of Narnia, dies at by sacrifice for the life of another and rises again. That is a very strong resemblance to Christ dying for people's sins and rising again.
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