Historical Allusion in 1984The Parson’s children spy on their parents while they sleep. They set fire to a lady who wraps her sausages in newspaper with an image of Big Brother on it. This is an allusion to the

Hitler Youth before and during World War II.

The steamer is a rocket bomb and represents the V-I bomb which was dropped on London during World War II. The bomb created terror because it was unmanned and would hum right up to the moment it dropped. Also called the ‘doodlebug.’

Oceania is at war with Eurasia and Eastasia at various timesd. Sometimes the change from ally to enemy is sudden. This reflects how quickly the U.S.S.R. became an enemy of the U.S. and Britain after World War II ended. The Cold War ensued.

Rationing was common in Britain, other European nations, Canada, and the U.S. in World War II and for years after. This is reflected in 1984 when the chocolate ration

is reduced (but said to have increased) and Mr. Parsons runs out of razor blades.

Big Brother is Joseph Stalin – they both have moustaches!!

The Russian purges after the Russian revolution and before World War II are reflected in the disappearances of characters such as Comrade Withers and the majority of old

people in the society.

Historical allusion in Brave New World

• There are many allusions in this novel. Not all of them are historical, however. You will find many references to Shakespeare and to mythology. The great majority of characters have names which reflect an actual person from history- often a political leader or philosopher. In some instances, both the first and last name of a character reflect two separate historical individuals. It is YOUR responsibility to find out for what reason a particular person is famous.

• Leon Trotsky (Polly Trotsky) Karl Marx (Bernard Marx)

Henry Ford (His Fordship), Vladimir Lenin (Lenina Crowne) and Thomas Malthus (Malthusian Belt)

John Calvin (Calvin Stopes), Friedrich Engels (Sarojini Engels) and Benito Mussolini (Benito Hoover)

Charles Darwin and Napoleon Bonaparte (Darwin Bonaparte). Remember, YOU have to say who these people are and why they might make useful

references in the novel (what the name suggests or implies).