What does an allusion refer to?

An allusion refers to a brief reference to a well-known work or person, which allows the writer to draw connections between their text and the referenced material without having to explain it in detail. This technique enriches the text by adding layers of meaning and context for readers who recognize the reference. For example, if a story mentions "a new Achilles," readers familiar with Greek mythology will understand that the character being referred to possesses similar qualities as the famous warrior, thereby enhancing their understanding of the new character's attributes or the themes of the story.

The other choices touch on different literary elements: a recurring idea is more aligned with the concept of motifs, while an element that represents a contrast relates to the use of irony or antithesis. A type of rhyme scheme obviously pertains to poetry structure. Although these other literary terms are important to understand, they do not accurately describe what an allusion is.