Literary notes about attack (AI summary)
The word "attack" in literature is striking for its versatility, embodying both literal and metaphorical meanings. In historical and military texts, it often denotes a physical assault or strategic maneuver, as seen in discussions of cavalry charges, naval confrontations, and battlefield formations ([1], [2], [3], [4]). At the same time, authors employ the term to evoke sudden onsets or aggressive actions in non-military settings—ranging from the figurative brewing of dissent or criticism ([5], [6]) to descriptions of personal afflictions and crises ([7], [8], [9]). Additionally, in narrative and poetic contexts, "attack" can represent an incisive, sometimes even unexpected, thrust into the psyche or society, enriching the text with layers of emotional or symbolic intensity ([10], [11], [12]).
- When an army awaits an attack, it takes up a position and forms its line of battle.
— from The Art of War by baron de Antoine Henri Jomini - They wisely adopted this plan of attack; but the execution was not equal to the conception.
— from The Art of War by baron de Antoine Henri Jomini - It is advantageous also to attack them obliquely, and especially in flank and reverse.
— from The Art of War by baron de Antoine Henri Jomini - The fleet which co-operated with the land-forces in the artillery attack of October 17, 1854, consisted of twenty-five ships.
— from The Art of War by baron de Antoine Henri Jomini - Socrates proceeds to argue in a highly impressive manner that the whole composition is intended as an attack upon Pittacus.
— from Protagoras by Plato - The "Badger" is much too delighted at my attack on you and your wise friends.
— from An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen - A severe and unseasonable attack of grippe had confined that good lady to her house ever since the occasion of her last visit to Green Gables.
— from Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery - A week later he had his first attack of the disease to which he was subject all the rest of his life—epilepsy.
— from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - I'm slightly unwell, an attack of dizziness, I haven't been able to get up.
— from Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka - Behold, here is a little dog belonging to the Empress, which will rouse the stag, and will chase him towards thee, and the stag will attack thee.”
— from The Mabinogion - Did she fancy that he had meant to attack her with it?
— from The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie - The attack must have all the shocking senselessness of gratuitous blasphemy.
— from The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale by Joseph Conrad
