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Literary notes about Sortie (AI summary)

The term "sortie" is predominantly used in literature to depict a sudden, often bold venture from a defensive position, most commonly in military and historical narratives. Its application spans from organized assaults during sieges—as in the depiction of a decisive action during a siege in [1]—to desperate forays aimed at changing the momentum of conflict, such as the forceful initiative noted in [2] and [3]. In works like The Three Musketeers, it carries the weight and immediacy of battle when Athos rallies his comrades in [4], while in other contexts, the term also morphs to suggest a vigorous or even inadvertent break from routine, an idea subtly explored in [5]. This varied employment underscores the term’s capacity to evoke both strategic military operations and the broader theme of sudden, impactful action.
  1. Thus ended the most serious sortie of the siege—so far.
    — from The Siege of Kimberley Its Humorous and Social Side; Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902); Eighteen Weeks in Eighteen Chapters by T. Phelan
  2. On the 16th he made a sortie, which failed, and on the 17th he proposed capitulation.
    — from America, Volume 1 (of 6) by Joel Cook
  3. On March 22nd a huge sortie was made from Sebastopol upon the French line of earthworks, while another column was launched at our right.
    — from A Gallant Grenadier: A Tale of the Crimean War by F. S. (Frederick Sadleir) Brereton
  4. “Now, gentlemen, a sortie!” cried Athos.
    — from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
  5. Many ladies do not like to display their "sortie du soirée" before a crowded room, and you will be keeping their escort waiting.
    — from The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley

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