This is a Five page paper that discusses the usage of Contemporary Allusions in British Literature. It's a good one.

The world's great literature is replete with examples of real people (or their caricatures) inserted into the masterworks. Although there is the disadvantage that the modern reader may not be familiar with these individuals, examples from the British literature will show that contemporary biographical references strengthen these works. When an author writes, he seeks to convey a message. Having chosen his message, he must choose a form (i.e. prose or poetry) and a style. …

…literature of the use of allusions strengthens works. The afore-stated allusions prove that contemporary biographical references strengthen these works and that the benefits thereof far outweigh the one disadvantage that the modern reader may not be familiar with these individuals. Although the other forms of allusions are quite useful in conveying a message, Chaucer, Pope and Huxley have proved that their method, contemporary, is the most useful, especially when making a statement politically or socially.