Literary notes about affirmative (AI summary)
The term “affirmative” appears in literature as a means of confirming a statement, expressing consent, or reinforcing an argument. It is often employed in dialogue, where a character’s reply in the affirmative signals agreement or understanding, as when a witness’s response is noted in legal discourse [1] or when a gesture of consent is portrayed in narrative passages [2] and [3]. In other contexts, it underlines the certainty of a proposition or the factual nature of a claim, illustrated in philosophical and political discourse [4], [5]. Additionally, it serves as a narrative device to emphasize a sincere or thoughtful response, whether verbal or nonverbal [6], [7], reinforcing its role as a versatile and potent element in literary expression.
- An affirmative answer to these questions from two witnesses has been enough to convict a man.
— from Criminal Psychology: A Manual for Judges, Practitioners, and Students by Hans Gross - I collected myself sufficiently to make a sign in the affirmative.
— from The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins - The old man made a sign in the affirmative.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - The following considerations countenance the affirmative.
— from The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton and John Jay and James Madison - It would be superfluous, therefore, to enter into a proof of the affirmative.
— from The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton and John Jay and James Madison - As I was never an adept in concealing the truth, I replied in the affirmative.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - It tells you more—shall I go on?” She was staring at him, fascinated, and made a slight affirmative movement of the hand.
— from The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
