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Literary notes about Inimical (AI summary)

The word "inimical" in literature is frequently employed to describe forces or attitudes that are hostile or harmful to a given ideal, state, or relationship. In political and social contexts, for instance, Conrad [1] uses it to denote a revolutionary disdain for social hierarchies, while Santayana [2] views it as an opposing force to human genius, highlighting its broad moral and intellectual implications. Psychoanalytic works such as Freud’s [3] apply the term to internal conflicts, whereas national and familial allegiances are painted in stark oppositions by writers like Southey [4] and Thackeray [5]. In philosophical discourse, as seen in Boethius [6] and Plato [7], "inimical" describes elements that counteract virtue and natural order. Additionally, in more specialized contexts ranging from business practices [8] and educational theories [9] to fiction [10] and historical accounts [11], the term consistently conveys an inherent opposition or detriment, demonstrating its versatility in capturing conflict across literary genres.
  1. But as a member of a revolutionary proletariat—which he undoubtedly was—he nourished a rather inimical sentiment against social distinction.
    — from The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale by Joseph Conrad
  2. It would breathe what Tacitus, thinking of the liberal life, could call odium generis humani ; it would be inimical to human genius.
    — from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana
  3. To be sure, none of these inimical feelings toward the father can be discovered in the dream.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  4. The residents here are Americans by connection and by interest, and are inimical to Great Britain.
    — from The Life of Horatio, Lord Nelson by Robert Southey
  5. Nor was Miss Briggs, although forced to adopt a hostile attitude, secretly inimical to Rawdon and his wife.
    — from Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
  6. Moreover, each several thing is preserved by that which is agreeable to its nature, even as it is destroyed by things inimical.
    — from The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius
  7. Body, the, not self-sufficing, 1. 341 E ; excessive care of, inimical to virtue, 3. 407 (cp. 9. 591 D ); has less truth and essence than the soul, 9.
    — from The Republic of Plato by Plato
  8. Second : To eliminate or minimize abuses, methods and practises inimical to the proper conduct of business.
    — from All About Coffee by William H. Ukers
  9. This static, cold-storage ideal of knowledge is inimical to educative development.
    — from Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education by John Dewey
  10. Because this island is full of inimical phenomena.
    — from The island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells
  11. A word, a sigh, or a look supposed inimical to the ruling powers, was followed with instant death.
    — from Fox's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe

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