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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.
  1. Adam and Eve repent of their disobedience and Satan and his angels are turned into serpents.
    — from English Literature by William J. Long
  2. 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
  3. [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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. ON THE DUTY OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
    — from Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. You will be punished for disobedience.
    — from Emile by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. But what was the penalty that was incurred by disobedience to the decrees of the Courts of Love?
    — from On Love by Stendhal

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