Activity Overview
Allusions are present throughout the novel, Elijah of Buxton, referencing actual people, places, literature, items and events from the mid 1800s in Canada and America. These references help plunge the reader into the world around Elijah and understand how he navigates his freedom, his dangerous quest, and his journey back home.
Examples of Allusions in Elijah of Buxton
- Frederick Douglass
- John Brown
- Buxton, Canada
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Slave catchers
- Traveling carnivals
- Underground railroad
- Slavery
- Reverend William King
- Liberty Bell
- Chatham, Canada
- The Land of Milk and Honey
- Detroit River
- Familiarity breeds contempt
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies allusions present in Elijah of Buxton (references to actual people, places, events, or works of art or literature). Illustrate instances of each allusion and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the allusions from Elijah of Buxton you wish to include and write them in the title.
- Create an image for an example that represents this allusion using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allusion | The allusion and its depiction are historically or factually accurate. The context from the story is given in a brief summary. | The allusion and its depiction may be slightly inaccurate historically or factually. The context from the story may be missing. | The allusion and its depiction have serious errors in accuracy. The context from the story are missing, or there is no description at all. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to both the allusion and to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion, or may be too limited. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
Examples of Allusions in Elijah of Buxton
- Frederick Douglass
- John Brown
- Buxton, Canada
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Slave catchers
- Traveling carnivals
- Underground railroad
- Slavery
- Reverend William King
- Liberty Bell
- Chatham, Canada
- The Land of Milk and Honey
- Detroit River
- Familiarity breeds contempt
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies allusions present in Elijah of Buxton (references to actual people, places, events, or works of art or literature). Illustrate instances of each allusion and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the allusions from Elijah of Buxton you wish to include and write them in the title.
- Create an image for an example that represents this allusion using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allusion | The allusion and its depiction are historically or factually accurate. The context from the story is given in a brief summary. | The allusion and its depiction may be slightly inaccurate historically or factually. The context from the story may be missing. | The allusion and its depiction have serious errors in accuracy. The context from the story are missing, or there is no description at all. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to both the allusion and to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion, or may be too limited. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
How To Conduct Research on Historical References Present in “Elijah of Buxton”
Analyze the Story
In order to understand and analyze the allusions present in the story, it is necessary for students to read and examine the story carefully. Ask the students to highlight any important historical events present in the story they can recognize or generally note down events they think play a major role in the role and perform research on them later.
Utilize Different Resources
Ask the students to look for books, articles, and films on historical references by using the library's resources. Additionally, students can use other helpful materials such as digital materials from your local library or online. Teachers can also arrange film sessions in class where students can analyze a documentary or movie based on any event present in the story.
Examine and Explain the Context
Examine the social, political, and economic aspects of the era to comprehend the allusions' historical context. The way historical events are presented in the novel must be understood in the context of this historical period. Each student can select one or two historical references present in the book and try to conduct research and understand the context of these references.
Give Assignments and Tasks
Set up writing assignments where students can synthesize and analyze their research results. Writings on essays, introspection, or made-up stories with a historical setting can fall under this category. These creative writing projects can help them enhance their skills.
Reflect and Discuss
Encourage the students to reflect on the insights and knowledge they have gained so far from the research and conduct discussions on different historical references present in the story. Ask the students to be respectful towards sensitive topics and try to empathize with the stories of different people who have suffered throughout history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Identifying Allusions in “Elijah of Buxton”
In what ways do historical references aid readers in developing a deeper comprehension of the novel's characters?
Allusions give people more depth by placing them in larger literary, historical, or cultural settings. For instance, students can compare Elijah’s character with historical figures who have played a significant role during this time period and have somewhat similar characteristics.
What roles do references play in the story's historical setting?
"Elijah of Buxton" has allusions that enhance the reader's immersion by tying the story to actual historical occurrences. They improve the portrayal of the setting and period in which the tale takes place by acting as windows into the past. Students can reflect on Curtis’ other books and stories to understand more about the allusions and historical contexts used in his texts.
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