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Alliteration
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Part II
Explanation and Analysis—The Crucifixion:
In Part II, the Mariner's allusion to the crucifixion of Christ emphasizes the burden he must carry after killing the albatross:
Ah! well a-day! what evil looks
Had I from old and young!
Instead of the cross, the Albatross
About my neck was hung.
The line "Instead of the cross, the Albatross" invokes Christian symbolism. In the Christian tradition, the cross is a central symbol representing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who willingly bore the burden of humanity's sins. The act of hanging the albatross around the Mariner's neck becomes an allusion to the crucifixion that suggests the punishment that the Mariner must carry with him after shooting the albatross. It also functions to silently express the disapproval of the Sailors, who are too thirsty to speak. As they blame the Mariner for the "hot and copper sky" and the lack of drinkable rain, they decide to "throw the whole guilt" upon him, demonstrating their intense disapproval of his actions, especially as the death of the albatross appears to be "avenged" by nature.
Allusions to Christianity add depth to the Mariner's story and emphasize themes of sin, guilt, and the need for redemption. They also contribute to the broader religious and moral undertones in the poem, aligning the Mariner's journey with archetypal narratives of spiritual struggle and the quest for forgiveness. Some critics compare the albatross itself to Jesus Christ, as it visits a boat full of men and dies by a cross-bow and the Mariner himself compares it to "a Christian Soul." This particular allusion reinforces the fact that the Mariner must suffer for his sins and carry the burden of the albatross as a reminder of his wrongdoing. It also evokes the fickleness of humankind, because the Sailors who once approved of the Mariner's decision to kill the albatross end up turning against him.
Related Themes:
