Literary notes about let (AI summary)
The word "let" is used in literature as a versatile imperative that can both command action and grant permission. It often introduces a collective call to arms or an invitation to proceed, such as “Let us follow the way trodden by the illustrious ones of former ages” ([1]) or “Let us make haste” ([2]). In other instances, "let" is employed to subtly express resignation or compulsion, exemplified in passages like “Let me go!” ([3]) and “Do let her go” ([4]), where the plea carries emotional urgency. Moreover, its use extends to setting conditions or offering concessions—“If so, let me know where I shall go, what I shall do?” ([5])—and it serves as a narrative device that marks a transition or initiates dialogue (e.g., “Let us have a talk,” [6]). Across these varied examples, "let" functions as a soft command that reflects both the proactive and deferential tones in the narrative, revealing its enduring flexibility in literary expression.