Allusion in a work by Jean Rhys

[Carl98]

What is the allusion to in Jean Rhys "I Used To Live Here Once", in the lines that say, "It was a fine day, a blue day. The only thing was that the sky had a glassy look that she didn't remember. That was the only word she could think of. Glassy." Is this an allusion to something in British Literature? If so, what. Specifics please.

[Sylday]

Can't help myself, but there's a detailed analysis of this story at the following website that might be of assistance - www.hausarbeiten.de/faecher/hausarbeit/aml/5131.html

Don't be put off by the German URL - the article is in English!

[Sylday]

Sorry, that link doesn't work try this - www.hausarbeiten.de/faecher/hausarbeit/aml/5131.html

[Sylday]

This AB site is quite irritating at times, with its unpredictable idiosyncrasies - try this link, and if it doesn't work, simply copy and paste it into your address bar - www.hausarbeiten.de/faecher/hausarbeit/aml/5131.html

[floodll]

well, i dont know of any specific allusions; however, she's a ghost in this story, if you read the last line carefully--so the sky, the heavens might be different to her now. also, remember that she is NOT writing from the British canon of literature, her language is her own, her message probably more subversive than typical British works. good luck with your readings! :)

[floodll]

oh yea, and dont take me too literally on that ghost thing either, its a metaphor i chose from Rhys' open-ending. Racism, either literally or metaphorically, makes her that ghost, i would say. the descriptions might reflect that. ;)