Literary notes about Officer (AI summary)
In literature, "officer" is a versatile term often used to denote authority, military discipline, and formal order. In war narratives such as Tolstoy’s War and Peace ([1], [2], [3], [4], [5]), it vividly evokes images of commanding figures—from mounted dragoons to resolute leaders rallying troops—underscoring both the valor and structure inherent in battle. At the same time, the term appears in more genteel or administrative contexts, serving as a marker of social status or legal authority in works by Casanova ([6], [7], [8], [9], [10]) and even in depictions of civic order or bureaucratic control ([11], [12]). This dual usage highlights how literature employs "officer" not only to represent martial prowess and hierarchical dynamics but also to signal the broader societal roles of leadership and responsibility.
- The French dragoon officer was hopping with one foot on the ground, the other being caught in the stirrup.
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy - An officer still less often acts directly himself, but commands still more frequently.
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy - * * “When an officer is making his round, sentinels don’t ask him for the password....
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy - Ermólov came forward with a frown on his face and, hearing what the officer had to say, took the papers from him without a word.
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy - The officer came nearer and suddenly his face flushed crimson.
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy - The next morning the servant announced an officer; it was my man.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - However, a young officer of my acquaintance came after me and said they were Italians, and being curious to see them I retracted my steps.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - The officer who accompanied me asked me, as we were passing a coffee-house, whether I would like to take some chocolate, and we went in.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - As we parted company, the officer said, “You shall hear from me to-morrow.”
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - Just then Clairmont came in, and told me an officer wanted to speak to me.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - Ad′jutant, an officer appointed to each regiment or battalion, whose duty is to assist the commander.
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide by Various - There was no doubt of it any longer—the police-officer had almost as good as told her she was the thief!
— from The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins