Literary notes about severance (AI summary)
The term "severance" in literature is employed in a rich variety of ways that range from the physical to the deeply symbolic. It often denotes a forceful or natural separation—be it tangible, as in the disconnection of parts or elements, or intangible, such as bonds between individuals or states being broken ([1], [2], [3]). At times, it encapsulates emotional or ideological disaffection, suggesting a profound rupture from long-held relationships, beliefs, or past identities ([4], [5], [6]). In some narratives, however, "Severance" also emerges as a character’s name, which intriguingly intermingles the notion of separation with that of identity and legacy ([7], [8], [9]). This multifaceted usage enhances its literary potency, allowing writers to explore both the literal and metaphorical dimensions of division and detachment.
- A cut into the knee of one man, and the almost complete severance of the wrist of another were the worst cases.
— from A Diplomat in Japan by Ernest Mason Satow - 105 — Severance of the discoid mammal embryo from the yelk-sac, in transverse section (diagrammatic).
— from Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll - The approval of the Executive on the following day completed the severance of peaceful relations with Spain.
— from The United States Since the Civil War by Charles Ramsdell Lingley - His severance from a life of faith and love was complete.
— from Carmen Ariza by Charles Francis Stocking - She had sighed for her self-completeness then, and now she cried aloud against the severance of the union she had deplored.
— from Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy - Here was another shock to my nerves, another breaking up of my plans, and another severance of my religious and social alliances.
— from My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass - “I'm in favor of givin' Mr. Severance another chance to show there's good stuff in him, Bunny,” said Bob.
— from The Hand of the Mighty, and Other Stories by Vaughan Kester - “I'll get some more water, Mr. Piper,” said Oliver briskly, and Mrs. Severance began to sit up again.
— from Young People's Pride: A Novel by Stephen Vincent Benét - I turned and invited one lady, now on this platform, as gentle and lady-like as woman can be, Caroline M. Severance, of your own city, to go with me.
— from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I
