Final answer:
The allusion to Lord Alfred Tennyson's poem Ulysses in a story can enrich themes of exploration, experience, and intellectual curiosity, and underscore a narrative's commentary on the universal human quest for purpose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The allusion to Lord Alfred Tennyson's famous poem Ulysses in a story serves to deepen the narrative's meaning and resonance. Tennyson's Ulysses is about the legendary hero's desire to continue exploring despite his old age, signalling a refusal to surrender to the quiet of domestic life and an undiminished thirst for experience. When a story alludes to this poem, it often highlights themes such as the relentless pursuit of knowledge, experience, and understanding regardless of the protagonist's circumstances, age, or supposed limitations.
Allusions allow a story to tap into the rich connotations of the referred work, creating layers of meaning that enhance the reader's experience. This allusion can suggest a character's or story's alignment with the values of courage, exploration, and intellectual curiosity that Ulysses embodies. Furthermore, it can comment on the human condition and the universal quest for purpose, helping to unify the narrative around these central themes.