AP SUMMER ASSIGNMENT 2013: BIBLICAL AND CLASSICAL ALLUSIONS
OVERVIEW:
Much of the reading you will do in AP English will require an understanding of common biblical and classical
allusions. These allusions add depth of meaning to poems, essays, and stories. When you miss the allusion, you
sometimes miss the point and almost always miss the joke. Understanding allusions lets you into a kind of “secret club”
where the subtleties and literary undercurrents enrich both your comprehension and enjoyment. Really!
We all know that it is inconvenient and awkward to stop reading and look up an allusion, so you frequently don’t
bother. Sometimes, you don’t even know there is an allusion in the piece, and you are just left wondering why the author
said his or her idea so oddly. You sort of recognize something is going on but don’t know what.
This summer, you will begin to prepare yourself for the inside track of understanding. You will come to class in
September having your familiarity with common allusions greatly expanded. We will add to these lists as we work
together all year.
WHAT IS THE ASSIGNMENT?
There are 20 biblical and 20 classical allusions listed on the back. Research each story you do not already know. For each
allusion, create a reading log that will allow you to quickly refresh your memory. The log should contain the following
information:
 WHO is involved? (Give yourself enough context that you can place them later on. Often a name is not
adequate. Be smart, not lazy!)
 WHAT is the basic plot?
 Does the story EXPLAIN some aspect of the human condition, EXALT/DISPARAGE some behavior or
trait, or ANSWER a common human question/concern? What’s the point?
 Other information you deem noteworthy, including perhaps where you have seen it referenced already.
(Obviously this component will not always be included in your entries)
EX: Biblical - The Flood
Who: God, Noah & Family
Plot: The world had gotten full of evil and God decided to flood it and kill everyone off. He told Noah to build an ark and sent two of each
animal to him. When the 40 day/40 night rain started, God told Noah and his family to take all the animals into the ark, seal it and wait.
He did. Eventually the water receded and Noah sent a dove out 3x to see if land was back. The 1 st time, nothing happened except the dove
returned; second time the dove brought back an olive branch, and the 3rd time it didn’t return so they knew it was OK to open the ark. God
sent a rainbow as a promise that he would never again destroy the earth by flood. Noah and his family repopulated the planet eventually.
Point: Story exalts obedience and disparages evil – shows that even God has a limit to his generosity and forgiveness. Answers some
geological oddities like seashells in mountains.
Other: symbol of a dove with olive branch for peace comes from here, as does the rainbow as a symbol of unity and calm after a storm and
the idea that the 3rd time is the charm.
Make this a usable document by clearly labeling each entry and organizing the information for ease of access. The idea is
that you are generating a living document you will add to as we continue our studies. You may use bullet form, paragraph
form, or chart form. The format should be one that works for you, and will not be graded. I will only look for the content
when I grade them.
Finally, leave space to add new information as it comes along, and space for new entries as well. You may type or
handwrite. Again, format is not important to me. It is your log. You will be the one referencing it, perhaps for years to
come! At the very least, it will be handy for the test we will eventually take!
The log is due on the first day of class. If you wish to submit electronically or ask any questions over the summer, my
email is [email protected]. Happy reading! 
I can’t wait to see you in September; I will need the patience of Job!
Mrs. Strock
BONUS if you can tell me about the allusion I just used! 
Common Biblical Allusions
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Ten Plagues
The Sermon on the Mount
Lazarus
The Last Supper
Sampson and Delilah
Jonah and the Giant Fish
David and Bathsheba
Daniel and the Lion’s Den
Writing on the Wall
King Nebuchadnezzar
Abednego, Meshach, and Shadrach
The Four Horsemen
Tribulation and Rapture
Seven Deadly Sins
12 Tribes of Israel
Mary Magdalene
Joseph and His Brothers
The Good Samaritan
The Prodigal Son
Jesus in the Wilderness
Classical/Mythological Allusions
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Pandora’s Box
Echo and Narcissus
The Birth of Zeus and the Defeat of Cronus
The Labors of Hercules
Pyramus and Thisbe
The Judgment of Paris
Aphrodite and Adonis
Atlanta the Athlete of Greece
Clytemnestra’s Revenge on Agamemnon
The Creation of the World and Mankind
King Midas and the Golden Touch
Apollo and the Python
The Nine Muses
Hera Gives Birth to Typhaon
Achilles’ Heel
Athena and Poseidon Vie for Athens
Pygmalion and Galatea
Psyche Gazes at Sleeping Cupid
Faithful Penelope
Hippolyta and the Girdle