Biblical Allusions for Those Who Need Them

Allusion	Summary	Example(s)	Meaning
Delilah and Samson (Judges 13-16) THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (MUSICAL)	Samson lived with Delilah, who tried to find a way to strip him of his strength	Christine tears the mask off the Phantom’s face, and he calls her a ‘Delilah’	A Delilah is someone who wants to find a secret that is probably very possible.
Allusion	Summary	Example(s)	Meaning
The Old Testament  Plagues TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD	Moses sent plagues to the Egyptians so they would free the Israelites	‘Miss Maudie’s face likened such an occurrence unto an Old Testament pestilence’	To Miss Maudie, nut grass was as bad as a terrible plague. If someone likens something to an Old Testament plague, they probably hate it a lot.
Allusion	Summary	Example(s)	Meaning
Caesar washing his hands GREAT EXPECTATIONS	After sentencing Christ to die, Caesar washes his hands as if to say ‘This isn’t my fault.’	Jaggers, the lawyer, washes his hands after court cases, knowing that because of him, men are sentenced to imprisonment or even death. He washes his hands, to say ‘I’m just doing my job.’	You can’t wash your hands and your sins are forgiven. Caesar and Jaggers were just making excuses to get out of the guilt of killing someone.
Allusion	Summary	Example(s)	Meaning
the Temptation of Eve DAVID COPPERFIELD	The devil tempted Eve to taste of the fruit, sentencing her to banishment from the garden.	David Copperfield’s mother is swept off her feet by the evil Mr. Murdstone, and when she marries him, she loses her happiness and her life.	Things are not what they appear.
Allusion	Summary	Example(s)	Meaning
The Garden of Eden RAPPACCINI’S DAUGHTER	The Garden of Eden was full of beautiful plants, but one of the plants was specifically forbidden	In Rappaccini’s Daughter, the garden is beautiful and lush, but one of the plants is forbidden for the young man	Forbidden plants in Garden’s can be a good or a bad sign. Forbidden things (like alcohol) are dangerous as well.
Allusion	Summary	Example(s)	Meaning
The Atonement LES MISERABLES	Jesus paid the price for us to be free from sin	The Bishop of Dinge paid the price of losing him most valuable possessions so that Jean Valjean could be saved	Christ figures will sacrifice so that people can be saved