Literary notes about brill (AI summary)
The term “brill” attains a wide range of meanings in literature, reflecting not only its role as a surname but also its function as a descriptor and even its identity as a type of fish. In many narratives, characters bearing the name—such as Miss Brill in Katherine Mansfield’s work ([1], [2]), or figures like Major Brill and various other individuals ([3], [4], [5])—add depth and personality to the stories, often becoming symbols of particular social or cultural traits. Additionally, the name appears prominently in scholarly translations, where A. A. Brill is celebrated for rendering seminal texts of psychoanalysis into English ([6], [7], [8], [9], [10]). The word also carries a literal quality in other contexts: in Spanish literature it describes a unique light in someone’s eyes ([11], [12]), and in gastronomical descriptions it designates a flatfish enjoyed in culinary contexts ([13], [14]). This versatility underscores the layered significance that “brill” holds across various literary genres and forms.
- And still soundlessly singing, still with that trembling smile, Miss Brill prepared to listen.
— from The Garden Party, and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield - This was disappointing, for Miss Brill always looked forward to the conversation.
— from The Garden Party, and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield - “That’s the valley!” cried Harvey Brill, as they got above the depths.
— from The Motor Boys on the Border; Or, Sixty Nuggets of Gold by Clarence Young - “Remember the conditions, Major Brill,” said Mrs. Riddel, with severity.
— from The Lady of the Barge and Others, Entire Collection by W. W. (William Wymark) Jacobs - Matthaeus and Paul Brill were two celebrated Dutch painters.
— from Essays of Robert Louis Stevenson Selected and Edited With an Introduction and Notes by William Lyon Phelps by Robert Louis Stevenson - Dr. Abraham Brill was just then bringing out a translation of Freud, in whom Schroeder was much interested.
— from Margaret Sanger: an autobiography. by Margaret Sanger - [7] Freud: Leonardo Da Vinci , translated by A. A. Brill.
— from Totem and Taboo by Sigmund Freud - [3] Selected Papers on Hysteria and other Psychoneuroses , translated by A. A. Brill.
— from Totem and Taboo by Sigmund Freud - Authorized English Translation, with Introduction by A. A. BRILL, Ph.B., M.D. Asst.
— from Totem and Taboo by Sigmund Freud - [2] The History of the Psychoanalytic Movement , translated by A. A. Brill.
— from Totem and Taboo by Sigmund Freud - En los ojos de doña Perfecta brilló una luz singular.
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós - La luz de la esperanza brilló a mis ojos tan súbitamente, que 10 los cegó.
— from Novelas Cortas by Pedro Antonio de Alarcón - Trout, mackerel, herrings, sprats, and fillets of sole or brill, are also very nice cooked in the same manner.
— from The Modern Housewife or, Ménagère Comprising Nearly One Thousand Receipts, for the Economic and Judicious Preparation of Every Meal of the Day, with those of The Nursery and Sick Room, and Minute Directions for Family Management in All its Branches. by Alexis Soyer - Examples: flatfish such as sole, turbot, dab, plaice, brill, etc."
— from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas: An Underwater Tour of the World by Jules Verne
