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Literary notes about three (AI summary)

The number three serves both a literal and symbolic function throughout literature. Often, it quantifies specifics—as when a character hands over three hundred dollars [1] or uses three cups in a ceremonial act [2]—while also marking time spans, as in three days [3] or three months [4]. Moreover, this number frequently establishes structural or mystical patterns, evidenced by pivotal moments like the three guesses made by the Prince [5] or the famed grouping of the three Musketeers [6]. Whether used to detail concrete measurements, as seen with three divisions [7] or three companies [8], or to evoke a sense of magical balance and completeness in storytelling [9], "three" operates as a versatile and resonant device across diverse genres and narratives.
  1. He gave her three hundred dollars in money; I saw the cheque.
    — from My Ántonia by Willa Cather
  2. Beside the fire that has never gone out, surrounded by holy women who chanted our hymns, I drank the three cups—Well Thought, Well Said, Well Done.
    — from Demonology and Devil-lore by Moncure Daniel Conway
  3. Three days had passed without his coming once to Uppercross; a most decided change.
    — from Persuasion by Jane Austen
  4. ‘Miss Cathy,’ I interrupted, ‘it will be three hours instead of one that we are out, presently.
    — from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
  5. And so the Prince guessed which was Vasilissa the Wise three times running.
    — from Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore
  6. The cardinal alighted; the three Musketeers did likewise.
    — from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
  7. His three divisions were compact and strong, well commanded, admirable on the defensive, but slow to move or to act on the offensive.
    — from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman — Complete by William T. Sherman
  8. And he came with three companies behind them, and they sounded their trumpets, and cried out in prayer.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
  9. THE THREE LANGUAGES An aged count once lived in Switzerland, who had an only son, but he was stupid, and could learn nothing.
    — from Grimms' Fairy Tales by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm

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