Literary notes about Element (AI summary)
The word "element" in literature is used to denote both tangible and abstract forces that shape characters, narratives, and entire thematic structures. At times, it refers to a natural substance or phenomenon—a character’s step into a new realm or the raw material of nature itself—as seen when a character’s limbs engage unexpectedly with water or when fire is reinterpreted as more than a mere substance [1, 2]. In other instances, it highlights an essential quality or trait of individuals, whether it is the inherent pride within a character or the unique disposition a person exhibits when in tune with their surroundings [3, 4, 5]. Authors also employ the term to express artistic and philosophical underpinnings that form the backbone of their creative work, from the intricate interplay of narrative structure to the subtle infusion of hope, chance, or even the mystical into their storytelling [6, 7, 8]. In each context, "element" serves as a bridge between the physical and the metaphysical, embodying the key component that brings cohesion to the human experience.
- Peter reached the shore without mishap, and went straight on, his legs encountering the water as if quite unaware that they had entered a new element.
— from Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie - B. I told you that fire was not now considered as a simple element.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - The element of personal pride seemed strangely lacking.
— from Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - Veracity is the strongest element of her character.
— from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller - Pobyedimsky was the only one who felt himself in his element.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - There the story element ends, and the symbolism of the book begins.
— from English Literature by William J. Long - Still, works of art have a permanent element; they idealize and detain the passing thought, and are the intermediates between sense and ideas.
— from The Republic by Plato - (3) Scott was the first novelist in any language to make the scene an essential element in the action.
— from English Literature by William J. Long
