Literary notes about Caucus (AI summary)
In literature, the term "caucus" often conveys a formal meeting or gathering with a political undercurrent, yet it is also flexibly employed in whimsical or metaphorical contexts. In political texts, it designates a strategic assembly where official decisions or nominations are made, as in deliberations for party endorsements or legislative maneuvering ([1], [2], [3]). Meanwhile, in more playful narratives, authors twist its meaning to evoke a sense of absurdity or surrealism, exemplified by the “Caucus-race” in a well-known fantastical work ([4], [5], [6]). Additionally, the word finds use in metaphorical descriptions, blending the serious with the imaginative—such as portraying crows gathering in what is almost a natural, secretive caucus ([7], [8]). This multiplicity of usage underscores the term’s versatility in conveying both structured political processes and the unpredictable nature of group dynamics.
- The political "boss" has consistently used his power to manipulate the caucus or the primary so as to advance his own interests at public expense.
— from Problems in American Democracy by Thames Williamson - When he accepted the nomination from the Republican caucus on the 18th of May, he tacitly pledged himself to acquiesce in the plans of the war-hawks.
— from Jefferson and His Colleagues: A Chronicle of the Virginia Dynasty by Allen Johnson - The Democratic caucus of the House passed a similar recommendation, which was acquiesced in by the Republicans.
— from The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume V - "What I was going to say," said the Dodo in an offended tone, "is that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race."
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - ‘What I was going to say,’ said the Dodo in an offended tone, ‘was, that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race.’
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - "What I was going to say," said the Dodo in an offended tone, "was that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race."
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - Often I have gone out in the morning and found my dooryard black with Crows holding a caucus.
— from The Book of Clever Beasts: Studies in Unnatural History by Myrtle Reed - They heard the jay squalling in the corn-field, and the crows gathering in the clan for their annual caucus.
— from Black Bruin: The Biography of a Bear by Clarence Hawkes
