Literary notes about grape (AI summary)
The word “grape” is used in literature with a remarkable versatility that ranges from vivid military imagery to lush, pastoral symbolism. Several authors evoke the destructive impact of “grape-shot” in battle, as seen when it dissolves entire skirmishes in the works of Hugo ([1], [2], [3], [4]), while others use it to represent the hard edge of conflict or the raw force of nature ([5], [6]). At the same time, the grape itself appears in depictions of abundance and sensual pleasure—whether as the fruit of the vine in intimate garden scenes ([7], [8], [9]) or as the source material for wine and libations that carry both celebratory and symbolic meanings ([10], [11], [12], [13]). This layered usage illustrates how “grape” transforms from a literal food and military munition into a powerful metaphor bridging themes of sustenance, beauty, and violence.
- He overwhelmed the weak point with grape-shot; he joined and dissolved battles with cannon.
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - Inexhaustible in the matter of grape-shot, they created explosions in their assailants’ midst.
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - Do you want to fire grape-shot at the Apollo Belvedere?
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - That done, they awaited the next discharge of grape-shot.
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - Soft speeches will not serve; hard grape-shot is questionable; but hovering between the two is unquestionable.
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - "They will not do that again," he thought; "the next time they will use a charge of grape.
— from An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce - I see her in those dark grape arbors, creeping all around the garden.
— from The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - “I am very fond of a grape vine,” declared Mrs. Fairfield, “but I do not think that the grapes will ripen here.
— from Bliss, and other stories by Katherine Mansfield - To me, these tiny leaves are a sight comparable to the opening and unfurling of the various varieties of the grape.
— from Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting - A rather popular drink at present is an equal mixture of white grape-juice and ginger ale with mint leaves and much ice.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - Make a lear of almond paste and grape verjuice.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - What passes for wine among us, is not the juice of the grape.
— from The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by T. Smollett - He stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and offered of the blood of the grape.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
