Literary notes about galvanize (AI summary)
In literature, "galvanize" often conveys the notion of inciting a dormant force into vigorous action or reanimating lifeless entities with a spark of energy. Authors use the term both to describe the sudden awakening of passion or purpose in individuals—as when a character is stirred into motion by a striking event [1], [2]—and to depict the broader resurrection of long-neglected ideas or states of being, such as transforming an inert institution or even an old corpse into dynamic life [3], [4], [5]. In this way, the word becomes a powerful metaphor for the transformative impact that a single stimulus or moment of inspiration can have in transitioning from inertia to lively movement.
- But Dr. Thornton knew enough about High School boys' fights, to galvanize himself into action.
— from The High School Freshmen; or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and Sports by H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock - It was just this command that the German privates needed, and it seemed to galvanize them into action.
— from The Khaki Boys Fighting to Win; or, Smashing the German Lines by Gordon Bates - James Tapster looked rather out of it all; he looked his apathetic, sulky self—a man whom nothing would ever galvanize into real good-fellowship.
— from From out the Vasty Deep by Marie Belloc Lowndes - When the nation was apathetic, dead on the subject of slavery, he used every power which he possessed or could invent to galvanize it into life.
— from William Lloyd Garrison, the Abolitionist by Archibald Henry Grimké - Like Henty, Strang manages to galvanize the dry bones of history into a close semblance of glorious life....
— from Brown of Moukden: A Story of the Russo-Japanese War by Herbert Strang
