Reference Types Explained

WDWAU footnotes mark the moments where the line in the story when fact and fiction blurs. Throughout the series, you’ll see references drawn from different types of literary sources, each designed to challenge how you understand the world around you. Below, I’ve explained each type of reference and on the each page I dive deeper to explain how it fits into the story.

Cultural references: Highlight customs, traditions, or social norms that explain character behavior or the significance of events.  

Historical references: Provide details from the past that give context to the story’s setting, conflicts, and themes. 

Literary references: Connect the narrative to other books, myths, or stories to enrich meaning or commentary. 

Religious/theological references: Draw from sacred texts or beliefs to support themes rooted in faith, myth, or doctrine.

Geographical references: Describe real locations or landscapes to help readers visualize the world and its strategic importance. 

Linguistic references: Clarify language, idioms, or etymology to support understanding of older or multilingual text. 

Philosophical references: Introduce ideas from major thinkers to explore deeper moral or existential questions. 

Political/legal references: Reference laws, systems, or movements to frame events within power and governance.