Question

Liam was a strong boy—tough from the start
But something hurt within him—a wound in his heart
The way she made him feel—she was his Achilles' heel
The girl whom he adored—tore Liam in his core

He played lacrosse and won debates
He knew just how to gather As
As filled with dreams and brighter things
Liam was alright, till he thought of his feelings

Now, he was in junior high, as time was flying by
Liam felt no pain, as he searched his soul and eyes
He was no Sherlock Holmes to figure out mysteries
But Liam had moved on; his broken heart was history
6
The poem is making reference to "Achilles' heel" in Greek mythology. What technique is the poet using to do this?
A.
allusion
B.
ballad
C.
dialect
D.
symbolism

Answer 1

A. allusion

Explanation: "Achilles' heel" is a brief, indirect reference to a figure from Greek mythology, so the poet is using an allusion (though it also conveys the idea of a weakness, the technique of referring to mythology is an allusion).