Allusion

Warren alludes to the Greek figures Cassandra and Telemachus through the characterization of Cass Mastern and Jack Burden within his work by mirroring elements of Greek mythology in the plot. Cassandra and Cass Mastern have a keen ability to foresee future events; however, both are ignored after attempting to use their knowledge to warn others. The author illustrates this point when he refers to Jack’s lack of concern after reading Cass’ journal: “or perhaps he laid aside the journal of Cass Mastern not because he could not understand, but because he was afraid to understand for what might be understood there was a reproach to him.” Eventually, however, Jack comes to understand Mastern’s spider web theory and adopts it as his own. Robert Penn Warren also alludes to the famous figure Telemachus by creating for Jack a plight similar to the Greek character’s. Each must care for his mother in the absence of their respective father’s. Initially, Telemachus resents the man who is able to accomplish the test that would allegedly indicate his true father; he is in disbelief and thinks that he could not possibly be related to the man. Later, he comes to the realization that the man is in fact his father and he begins to establish a relationship with him. Similarly, Jack Burden believes that the Scholarly Attorney is his biological father and hates him for being weak, but he later finds that Judge Irwin is his real father. Burden eventually accepts the idea and the two men for who they are.