Literary notes about Repulse (AI summary)
The word "repulse" has been employed in literature with a fascinating range of meanings, reflecting both physical and emotional rejections. In military and strategic contexts, it often signifies a forceful drive-back or defensive setback, as vividly seen in accounts of battles and maneuvers ([1], [2], [3]). At the same time, authors have used it metaphorically to describe personal or social rejections—moments when one character dismisses or rebuffs another's overtures ([4], [5], [6]). In some instances, the term is woven into the narrative to emphasize the impact of such refusals on a character’s inner state or fate, whether in quiet indignation or as part of a larger narrative of conflict and regret ([7], [8], [9]). Overall, "repulse" emerges as a versatile term that captures both the physical act of repelling and the emotional withdrawal inherent in rejection.
- Occasionally one party or the other would make a dash in the nature of a sally, but usually it sustained a repulse with great loss of life.
— from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman — Complete by William T. Sherman - We examined the redoubt named "Sanders," where, on the Sunday previous, three brigades of the enemy had assaulted and met a bloody repulse.
— from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman — Complete by William T. Sherman - If the spearmen were unable to repulse the enemy, they retreated leisurely, and were received by the principes into the intervals of the ranks.
— from The History of Rome, Books 01 to 08 by Livy - Ambitious fiends, see how the heavens smile At your repulse, and laugh your state to scorn!
— from The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe - But then, why do you repulse me?" "I don't repulse you.
— from Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy - and was she considering how to repulse me with the smallest injury to my feelings?
— from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë - He half feared to displease him; but he trusted that his generous kindness would be administered so delicately, as not to excite repulse.
— from The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley - "I am told many of these persons think about her, sir," I went on, gaining courage on finding that I met attention rather than repulse.
— from Villette by Charlotte Brontë - In her poverty she had met with repulse from the society to which she had belonged, and she had no great zest for renewing an attempt upon it now.
— from The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy
