Literary notes about Charge (AI summary)
The term "charge" leaps between meanings in literature, evoking a spectrum of responsibility, aggression, and accountability. It may denote guardianship or care, as when a character is entrusted with the welfare of another [1, 2, 3], or it can signal the issuance of a military command—commanding an attack, as seen in rallying cries like “Charge, men!” [4, 5, 6]. In legal and financial contexts, the word takes on the role of an allegation or a fee, whether referring to a criminal charge or the liability for goods [7, 8, 9]. It even appears in heraldic language to describe a figure positioned on a shield [10]. Each usage enriches the narrative, layering the word with nuanced authority and action.
- He was placed in my charge in the evening and, for two months, he seldom stirred, but laid on his bed with his face to the wall.”
— from The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar by Maurice Leblanc - "It will be a great privilege to have charge of such a beautiful and promising child, Captain Crewe," she said, taking Sara's hand and stroking it.
— from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett - In the evening the doctor had to leave to attend to others; but he left Geoffrey in charge of his wife.
— from Dracula's Guest by Bram Stoker - When King Harald saw that the English array had come to the ditch against him, he ordered the charge to be sounded, and urged on his men.
— from Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson - Leaping to his feet in an instant, again he shouted, “Charge, men!
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - There was excellent command: to charge in with our horse upon our own wings, and to rend our own soldiers!
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - A common carrier is liable for goods which are stolen from him, or otherwise lost from his charge except by the act of God or the public enemy.
— from The Common Law by Oliver Wendell Holmes - The charge for our three selves and three servants was less than [pg 208] an ichibu , and a second ichibu was given as cha-dai or "tea-money.
— from A Diplomat in Japan by Ernest Mason Satow - I insist most emphatically it was not for money he ran to his father's house: the charge of robbery is an absurdity, as I proved before.
— from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - When a charge or charges occupy the position which a bend would, they are said to be placed "in bend."
— from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
