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What is an allusion in "A Sound of Thunder?"
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In "A Sound of Thunder," an allusion is made to Adolf Hitler through the character Deutscher, who runs for president. This allusion highlights the dangers of dictatorship, as Deutscher shares traits with Hitler, such as being anti-Christian and anti-intellectual. Another allusion refers to Western Civilization's historical development, mentioning figures like Christ, Moses, Caesar, Napoleon, and Hitler, emphasizing the potential consequences of altering history through time travel.
An allusion is a reference in one work of literature to another piece of literature or to historical events or figures.
In 1952, when "A Sound of Thunder" was first published, World War II had ended only seven years before and was, therefore, still a vivid memory in the minds of most adults.
When the story mentions Deustcher as running for president, most people would have instantly understood the allusion to Adolf Hilter. It is made clear in the following words the man behind the desk at the time travel company says to Eckels:
If Deutscher had gotten in, we'd have the worst kind of dictatorship. There's an anti everything man for you, a militarist, anti-Christ, antihuman, anti-intellectual.
Like the fictional Deutscher, Hitler was elected democratically, set up a dictatorship, and was an anti-Christian, anti-human, and anti-intellectual leader.
To reinforce the allusion, Bradbury uses the name Deutscher, which...
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is very close to the word that means "German" in German.
When Eckels changes history so that Deutscher is elected, readers would have understood the terrible implications of that event.
There is an allusion to historical development in Bradbury's short story.
When the safari goes back in time, Eckels is in awe of what is in front of him. He is overwhelmed with the picture that he sees. Travis is wise enough to understand it clearly and he talks about the reality in front of them:
Christ isn't born yet," said Travis, "Moses has not gone to the mountains to talk with God. The Pyramids are still in the earth, waiting to be cut out and put up. Remember that. Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Hitler-none of them exists.
Travis alludes to the historical development of Western Civilization. Referencing Christ and Moses embraces the Judeo- Christian tradition. Identifying the Pyramids is reflective of the Egyptian cultures, while mentioning Caesar reflects the Romans. Travis is also alluding to the dangers of power being consolidated in the hands of a single person. This is seen in the The reference to Napoleon and Hitler. Travis's allusion is also reminiscent of how the election in 2055 has helped to safeguard the anti- monarchial tradition in the future. The allusions that Travis employs reinforces the history of the West and enhances the immensity of what the time travelers are actually doing.