Identifying Allusion in Eliot's 'The Waste Land'

In T.S. Eliot's poem 'The Waste Land,' numerous references to various cultural and literary figures are present. One prominent allusion occurs in the first section of the poem, where the line 'April is the cruellest month' evokes a connection to literary and historical traditions.

This allusion is significant as it not only establishes a tone but also connects Eliot's themes of rebirth and despair to the works of other authors. Consider how this allusion functions within the context of alligories of knowledge, memory, and the cyclical nature of life. Which literary device is primarily demonstrated in this example?