1. To evoke nostalgia or familiarity. By referencing a familiar story, an author can create a sense of nostalgia or familiarity for the reader, which can make the story more relatable and enjoyable.
2. To pay homage to a classic tale. Referencing a familiar story can also be a way for an author to pay homage to a classic tale or author. This can show that the author is aware of the literary tradition and is inspired by it.
3. To subvert or reimagine a familiar story. In some cases, modern authors may reference familiar stories in order to subvert or reimagine them. This can be done by changing the setting, characters, or plot of the original story, or by presenting it from a different perspective.
4. To create intertextuality. Referencing a familiar story can also create intertextuality, which is a literary device that creates a connection between two or more texts. This can add depth and meaning to a story by allowing the reader to make connections between different works of literature.
Here are some specific examples of how modern authors have referenced familiar stories in their works:
1. Margaret Atwood's novel "The Handmaid's Tale" (1985) references the biblical story of Gilead.
2. Salman Rushdie's novel "Midnight's Children" (1981) references the Indian epic poem the "Mahabharata".
3. Toni Morrison's novel "Beloved" (1987) references the slave narrative "The Life of Olaudah Equiano".
4. Margaret George's novel "Helen of Troy" (2004) retells the Greek myth of Helen of Troy from Helen's perspective.
5. Karen Thompson Walker's novel "The Age of Miracles" (2012) imagines a world where the Earth's rotation begins to slow down.
These are just a few examples of how modern authors have referenced familiar stories in their works. By referencing these stories, authors can create a sense of nostalgia or familiarity, pay homage to a classic tale, subvert or reimagine a familiar story, or create intertextuality.