Literary notes about Rendition (AI summary)
The term "rendition" in literature carries a rich duality, serving both as a descriptor for artistic interpretation and as a precise term in legal or historical contexts. It denotes the act of performing or reinterpreting works—be it a spirited musical performance, as in the lively rendition of "Yankee Doodle" [1] or an evocative recitation of a classic ballad [2]—while also referring to translation or adaptation in textual works [3][4]. Beyond the realm of art, "rendition" is used to describe the surrender or delivery of persons or objects, often in politically charged or judicial narratives concerning fugitive slaves [5][6][7]. This versatile use underscores its capacity to convey both creative expression and exacting replication depending on the literary context.
- He began a lively rendition of "Yankee Doodle."
— from The Lost Wagon by Jim Kjelgaard - Most trenchant rendition of that ballad, upon my soul and honour it is. —Lablache, said Father Cowley.
— from Ulysses by James Joyce - A new rendition of an earlier essay on Human Vanity.
— from Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin - We find precisely the same rendition in Macknight, and we are perfectly willing to abide by his translation.
— from Cotton is King, and Pro-Slavery Arguments Comprising the Writings of Hammond, Harper, Christy, Stringfellow, Hodge, Bledsoe, and Cartrwright on this Important Subject - Great stress is put upon that clause enjoining the rendition of slaves escaping from their masters; but union was impossible without this provision.
— from The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 6, June, 1862 Devoted To Literature and National Policy by Various - For several years the stipulations for the rendition of fugitive slaves remained inoperative.
— from The Underground Railroad from Slavery to Freedom: A comprehensive history by Wilbur Henry Siebert - Rendition means the act of yielding possession, surrender, as the rendition of a town or fortress.
— from The Verbalist A Manual Devoted to Brief Discussions of the Right and the Wrong Use of Words and to Some Other Matters of Interest to Those Who Would Speak and Write with Propriety. by Alfred Ayres
