Literary notes about Disobedience (AI summary)
The term “disobedience” in literature is used in a variety of contexts, reflecting both moral failure and political defiance. In religious and mythological narratives, disobedience is often portrayed as a sin laden with inevitable consequences—illustrated by references to biblical accounts where Adam and Eve bear the burden of their transgression ([1], [2], [3]), while theologians like Saint Augustine extend the meaning to the very nature of sin itself ([4], [5]). In contrast, writers such as Thoreau invoke the notion of civil disobedience as both a personal and political stance against unjust authority, arguing that nonconformity to oppressive laws can be a more noble route than blind obedience ([6], [7], [8], [9], [10]). Additionally, in literature ranging from Chekhov to Fielding and beyond, disobedience is not only a source of punitive measures—be it physical penalties or social ostracism ([11], [12], [13], [14])—but also serves as a catalyst for exploring complex interpersonal dynamics and the tension between individual will and societal rules ([15], [16], [17]). Thus, the diverse use of the term highlights its rich thematic significance, from divine retribution to politically motivated defiance.
- Adam and Eve repent of their disobedience and Satan and his angels are turned into serpents.
— from English Literature by William J. Long - God, foreseeing the fall, sends Raphael to warn Adam and Eve, so that their disobedience shall be upon their own heads.
— from English Literature by William J. Long - [Rom. 6:21-23] And that for these things' sake "cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience".
— from The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come by John Bunyan - For, though no evil thing was touched, yet if a thing forbidden was touched, the very disobedience was sin.
— from The City of God, Volume I by Bishop of Hippo Saint Augustine - They experienced a new motion of their flesh, which had become disobedient to them, in strict retribution of their own disobedience to God.
— from The City of God, Volume I by Bishop of Hippo Saint Augustine - It costs me less in every sense to incur the penalty of disobedience to the State, than it would to obey.
— from On the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau - Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience WALDEN, and ON THE DUTY OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
— from Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau - ON THE DUTY OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
— from Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau - It costs me less in every sense to incur the penalty of disobedience to the State than it would to obey.
— from Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau - Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience WALDEN, and ON THE DUTY OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
— from Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau - I have torn my disobedient children out of my heart, and if they suffer through their disobedience and obstinacy I have no pity for them.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - You will be punished for disobedience.
— from Emile by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - He left it contrary to my wish and command; and in the days of Alfred that would have been termed disobedience—ay, and a crime severely punishable.”
— from Ivanhoe: A Romance by Walter Scott - Disobedience is punished by the head and arms being cut off, and the body cast forth.
— from The Geography of Strabo, Volume 3 (of 3) by Strabo - Such a prohibition (she well knew) would be a trumpet-call to my native spirit of disobedience.
— from Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll - I’m come to fetch you home; and I hope you’ll be a dutiful daughter and not encourage my son to further disobedience.
— from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë - But what was the penalty that was incurred by disobedience to the decrees of the Courts of Love?
— from On Love by Stendhal