The Facts on File Dictionary of Allusions - Green Valley High School

Francis of Assisi
174
modern usage, the fourth estate is the press, representing
public opinion. “For the press, the loosening
of the relationship with politicians produced
a dilemma: it aspired to greatness as the fourth
estate and as an institution for po liti cal enlightenment
yet it had to pursue the mass audience in
order to survive commercially” (Ralph Negrine,
Politics and the Mass Media in Britain, 1992).
Francis of Assisi (bseesee) A person who behaves
in a saintly manner, especially toward animals.
<strong>The</strong> allusion is to Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–
1226), the found er of the Franciscan monastic
order, who was greatly revered for his holy ways
and was canonized just two years after his death.
He became particularly identifi ed with nature
and was said to have preached to the birds and
beasts, hence the modern application to people
who are known to be fond of animals. He was a
Francis of Assisi who devoted his life to the animals in
his care.
Frankenstein (frankbnstin) A monstrous creation,
often one that turns on its own master, or
its maker. <strong>The</strong> allusion is to Mary Shelley’s classic
horror story Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus
(1818), in which the scientist Victor Frankenstein
constructs a living creature out of dead corpses,
only for the monster to turn on him and kill fi rst
him and then itself. <strong>The</strong> name of the monster’s
creator is often confused with that of the creature
itself, and allusions to Frankenstein may refer to a
monstrous creation or the person responsible for
creating it. <strong>The</strong> prefi x “Franken-” is sometimes
used to create new words, typically referring to
freakish scientifi c innovations, as in Frankenfood
(describing ge ne tically modifi ed foodstuffs). He
had created a Frankenstein that eventually destroyed his
career. See also igor.
frankincense, gold, and myrrh See magi.
frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn I don’t
care at all. <strong>The</strong> allusion is to one of the closing
scenes of the classic 1939 fi lm gone with the
wind, in which Rhett Butler fi nally rejects the
self- absorbed Scarlett O’Hara’s desperate appeals.
Addressed in the fi lm by Clark Gable to Vivien
Leigh, the line differs from that in Margaret
Mitchell’s 1936 novel, on which the screenplay
was based, which has it in the form: “My dear, I
don’t give a damn.” Possibly the most famous quotation
from any fi lm, the line had par tic u lar power
in its time through its inclusion of a swearword,
defying contemporary rules about censorship in
the fi lm industry. “Shall I wear my black dress to the
party, or the outfi t I bought for Carol’s wedding?”
“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn!”
Fred Astaire (bstair) A brilliant dancer. <strong>The</strong> U.S.
fi lm actor and singer Fred Astaire (1899–1987)
achieved worldwide fame as the fi nest screen
dancer of his (or arguably any other) generation,
despite a notorious early audition notice that concluded
“Can’t act. Slightly bald. Also dances.” His
name may be applied today to any male who
exhibits talent as a dancer, especially one with the
same air of elegance and sophistication that Astaire
himself exuded. <strong>The</strong> name of his dancing partner
in many fi lms, Ginger Rogers (1911–95), is
sometimes similarly applied to gifted female dancers.
He’s no Fred Astaire, but I need a partner for the
dance and there’s no one else available.
Freddy Krueger See nightmare on elm street.
Fred Karno’s Army An incompetent or ga ni za tion
or group of people. <strong>The</strong> allusion is to a comedy
troupe that enjoyed huge popularity on the British