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.
- He gave her three hundred dollars in money; I saw the cheque.
— from My Ántonia by Willa Cather - 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 - Three days had passed without his coming once to Uppercross; a most decided change.
— from Persuasion by Jane Austen - ‘Miss Cathy,’ I interrupted, ‘it will be three hours instead of one that we are out, presently.
— from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë - And so the Prince guessed which was Vasilissa the Wise three times running.
— from Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore - The cardinal alighted; the three Musketeers did likewise.
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - 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 - And he came with three companies behind them, and they sounded their trumpets, and cried out in prayer.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - 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