Literary notes about affray (AI summary)
In literature, the term affray is used to evoke images of sudden, often public conflicts that can range from minor brawls to fatal encounters. Writers apply the word to describe scuffles that not only disrupt the calm of everyday life—as seen in isolated disputes between individuals [1][2]—but also large-scale, consequential clashes that leave a mark on history [3][4]. It can denote a momentary burst of violence that disrupts order and incites terror [5][6], while in other cases it offers a glimpse into the social and political tensions of a time or place [7][8]. Whether the narrative framework calls for the chaos of a street fight [9] or the grim outcome of a fatal encounter [10], affray functions as a vivid literary device to capture the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of human conflict.
- He argued that it was not advisable that it should be known that this fatal affray had taken place between the old woman and himself.
— from Snarleyyow, or, the Dog Fiend by Frederick Marryat - "It was you who got into an affray with the college boys, was it?" cried Mr. Ashley.
— from Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles by Wood, Henry, Mrs. - In 1585, an affray took place at a border meeting in which Lord Russel, the Earl of Bedford's eldest son, chanced to be slain.
— from Minstrelsy of the Scottish border, Volume 1 by Walter Scott - "On the 7th instant, a fatal affray took place at Gallatin, Mississippi.
— from The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Omnibus by American Anti-Slavery Society - AFFRAY, in law, the fighting of two or more persons in a public place to the terror (a l' effroi ) of the lieges.
— from The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg - Fatal Shooting Affray—Robbery and Desperate Affray—A Specimen City Official—A Marked Man—A Street Fight—Punishment of Crime
— from Roughing It by Mark Twain - King Solomon, when he would tame His heart—fordone in Love's affray— For apples called, and ate the same, But did not bid his harpers play.
— from In Pastures Green by Peter McArthur - Dantès was almost glad of this affray, and almost pleased at being wo
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - They have done all that arson and force could achieve, And quaking like cowards the outlaws take leave, Unlike valiant soldiers after manly affray
— from Poems by S. C. (Samuel C.) Mercer - This was the first time in my life that I ever looked upon the face of the dead or witnessed any affray of a fatal character.
— from Sawdust & Spangles: Stories & Secrets of the Circus by W. C. (William Cameron) Coup
