Literary notes about Press (AI summary)
The term “press” unfolds across literary works with a wide range of meanings. In some writings, it denotes the literal act of applying pressure or embracing, as when a character clutches another in affection or urgency [1], [2], or even when physical force is described in moments of conflict [3]. In contrast, “press” also refers to interaction with devices or actions, directing one to actuate keys or buttons [4], [5]. Beyond these immediate physical or instructive senses, the word carries a deeper cultural significance as it identifies institutions and practices of journalism and printing—from the critical observation of media influence [6], [7] to the powerful historical impact of the printing press in disseminating ideas [8], [9]. This polysemy enriches textual nuance, transforming a simple verb into a multifaceted symbol within literature.
- She will now receive her child—she will press it to her heart—she will cling to its little form, and smother it with her caresses.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe - "I must make one effort to go," said Anne Lisbeth, "to see my darling, the count's sweet child, and press him to my heart.
— from Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by H. C. Andersen - I stooped, panting, and pressed my pistol to the dreadful, shimmering head, but it was useless to press the trigger.
— from The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle - Keeping that in mind, use the right-arrow key to highlight the ``New'' menu selection, and then press Enter .
— from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass - Press the button and the bird will squeak.
— from Ulysses by James Joyce - This division of the influence of the press produces a variety of other consequences which are scarcely less remarkable.
— from Democracy in America — Volume 1 by Alexis de Tocqueville - We know that newspapers are taxed in Great Britain, and yet it is notorious that the press nowhere enjoys greater liberty than in that country.
— from The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton and John Jay and James Madison - A hopeless volume it seemed, with its queer type, published at Bhowanipore, printed at the Saptahiksambad Press!
— from Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan by Toru Dutt - But the inventions of paper and the press have put an end to all these restraints.
— from The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving
