Literary notes about Prolong (AI summary)
The word "prolong" in literature is deployed in a variety of nuanced ways to evoke the extension or continuation of time, states, or actions. In some works, it is employed literally to denote the persistence or extension of life or events—as in the deliberate lengthening of a ceremony [1], the extension of one's existence either by natural means or by dubious interventions [2], [3], or even the striving to stretch a moment of bliss or sorrow, as seen in romantic or melancholic reflections [4], [5]. At other times, "prolong" functions metaphorically to critique or emphasize the persistence of undesirable circumstances, such as a war that is unduly extended [6] or bureaucratic practices that delay progress [7]. Authors ranging from Homer [8], [9], to Rousseau [10], [11] and to survivors of personal and historical tragedies in works by Dickens [12], [13] and Dumas [14], [15], [16] harness the term to convey both the literal and symbolic stretching of time, underscoring its versatility and robust presence in diverse literary contexts.
- The priests conduct the service slowly, deliberately, evidently trying to prolong the ceremony and the joy of praying all gathered together.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - I know whom I may bully and whom I must flatter; and I thus prolong my life to a good old age.”
— from Aesop's Fables by Aesop - And he who, instead of accepting his destiny, endeavours to prolong his life by medicine, is likely to multiply and magnify his diseases.
— from Timaeus by Plato - Sweet Bajazeth, I will prolong thy life As long as any blood or spark of breath Can quench or cool the torments of my grief.
— from Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1 by Christopher Marlowe - She felt an intense longing to prolong, to perpetuate, the momentary exaltation of her spirit.
— from The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton - It is our delaying it that encourages her to hope for conquest, and our backwardness tends only to prolong the war.
— from Common Sense by Thomas Paine - (2) Prolong correspondence with government bureaus.
— from Simple Sabotage Field Manual by United States. Office of Strategic Services - Thus the blest gods the genial day prolong, In feasts ambrosial, and celestial song.
— from The Iliad by Homer - " Then Pallas thus: "Shall he whose vengeance forms The forky bolt, and blackens heaven with storms, Shall he prolong one Trojan's forfeit breath?
— from The Iliad by Homer - I will draw out its enchantments, I will prolong them as far as possible.
— from Emile by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - prolong your enjoyment before it is yours; rejoice in your love and in your innocence, find your paradise upon earth, while you await your heaven.
— from Emile by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - If we prolong this conversation, we might quarrel, which would be no proof of wisdom in either you or me.’
— from Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens - ‘I couldn’t stop if it were to prolong my life a score of years,’ rejoined Nicholas.
— from Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens - “And yet they say orphans are to be pitied,” said Danglars, wishing to prolong the jest.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - “Count, you prolong my agony.”
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - “Hold, sir,” said Villefort, “do not prolong this dreadful scene.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
