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Literary notes about Plaintiff (AI summary)

The term “plaintiff” in literature has been employed far beyond its strict legal definition, often serving as a narrative device to highlight conflict, irony, or social commentary. In some works, such as Freud’s exploration of familial strife ([1], [2]) and Oscar Wilde’s narrative settings ([3]), the plaintiff represents a figure caught in a web of personal and societal injustice. In fables and satirical texts—seen in Aesop’s clever tales ([4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]) and even in Milton’s epic verse ([15])—the plaintiff is sometimes portrayed humorously or paradoxically, embodying both the victim and the manipulator in legal and moral conflicts. This multiplicity of roles is further exemplified in historical and baroque narratives by authors like Henry Fielding and Adam Mickiewicz ([16], [17]), as well as Coleridge’s reflective statements ([18], [19]), where the plaintiff stands as a symbol of the broader struggles inherent in navigating justice. Overall, the usage of “plaintiff” across these varied literary genres demonstrates its evolution into a versatile metaphor for human discord and societal imbalance ([20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27]).
  1. Mrs. C. had received quite a lot of money from the husband of the plaintiff, while she and her children had to live in hunger and in misery.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  2. Mrs. C.'s housekeeper had also repeatedly seen the husband of the plaintiff in her (Mrs. C.'s) apartment, in complete negligée.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  3. The plaintiff, unfortunately, was unable to be present at either of the trials.
    — from Intentions by Oscar Wilde
  4. Plaintiff never beat his wife; he couldn’t: they were of very uneven habits; she was seven feet four, plaintiff was four feet seven.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  5. Defendant came very often when plaintiff was out.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  6. On first night of the news plaintiff was quite delirious; took six plates of alamode beef, and two pots of porter.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  7. You will, therefore, consider your verdict, gentlemen, and give such moderate damages as will entirely mend the plaintiff’s broken heart.”
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  8. Plaintiff never beat his wife; he couldn’t: they were of very uneven habits; she was seven feet four, plaintiff was four feet seven.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  9. This ended the case for the plaintiff.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  10. That it has not been reported in the morning papers is doubtless to be attributed to the most reckless bribery on the part of the plaintiff.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  11. Sarah Pillowcase examined: Was chambermaid at the Tinder-box and Flint, New Cut; had known defendant since she was a child—also knew plaintiff’s wife.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  12. At ten minutes to nine, Mr. Charles Phillips, counsel for the plaintiff, arrived in Lamb’s Conduit-passage, and was loudly cheered.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  13. The afflicted, the agonised plaintiff was a public man.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  14. A considerable pause, when— Mr. CHARLES PHILLIPS, having successfully struggled with his feelings, rose to address the court for the plaintiff.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  15. This is for the plaintiff!
    — from Paradise Lost by John Milton
  16. So the plaintiff who had obtained a verdict in his favour had to apply for its execution to the knightly order, that is to the gentry, w
    — from Pan Tadeusz; or, The last foray in Lithuania by Adam Mickiewicz
  17. In this case, therefore, I conceive the plaintiff must be non-suited; and I should disadvise the bringing any such action.”
    — from History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding
  18. I am the plaintiff, and he the defendant.)
    — from Biographia Literaria by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
  19. PLAINTIFF.
    — from Biographia Literaria by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
  20. I was made plaintiff, Mr. Northup acting as my guardian, and Edwin Epps defendant.
    — from Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
  21. His client had visited the plaintiff out of pure compassion.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  22. Well, the plaintiff knew the value of money, and therefore left his wife and the defendant to arrange the affair between them.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  23. [ 8 ] So Philip of Macedon is said to have decided a suit by condemning the defendant to banishment and the plaintiff to follow him.
    — from Fables of La Fontaine — a New Edition, with Notes by Jean de La Fontaine
  24. LEWIS BABOON.—All matters that relate to him, and the rest of the plaintiff's in this lawsuit, I will refer to your justice.
    — from The History of John Bull by John Arbuthnot
  25. The witness, Albertine M., however, testified that Mrs. C. had kissed the husband of the plaintiff and that she had surprised them at it.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  26. Which of you, said Pantagruel, is the plaintiff?
    — from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais
  27. The Cadi took his seat gravely, and an officer introduced first Ali Cogia, the plaintiff, and then the merchant who was the defendant.
    — from The Arabian Nights Entertainments by Andrew Lang

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