Literary notes about extraordinary (AI summary)
The term "extraordinary" has been deployed by countless authors to evoke a sense of the remarkable and the uncanny, serving both as an intensifier and a marker of deviation from the norm. In some texts, it underscores physical or behavioral peculiarities—ranging from the striking imagery of an uncovered body with something "extraordinary" protruding [1] to the depiction of animals and landscapes that surpass ordinary descriptions [2, 3]. At times, it characterizes personal traits or events, such as an individual's unique talent [4] or a moment of unexpected silence and awe [5]. The word also appears in more abstract or even ironic contexts, highlighting superhuman abilities in heroic narratives [6] or critiquing social norms and political conditions [7]. Whether used in casual exclamations [8, 9] or as part of detailed, nuanced travel and historical commentary [10, 11], "extraordinary" remains a flexible literary tool that intensifies descriptions and invites readers to question the boundaries of what is normal.
- I came to see if you were comfortable, and found you lying uncovered, and with this extraordinary thing sticking up.”
— from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous - In one particular these extraordinary animals bear a resemblance to the dromedary, or camel of the desert.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe - The most extraordinary silence reigned in this immense gallery.
— from A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne - He had an extraordinary gift of description.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - "This is very extraordinary," I said, musing over the novel and singular incident.
— from A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne - It deals with extraordinary events, with heroes whose powers are exaggerated, and often adds the element of superhuman or supernatural characters.
— from English Literature by William J. Long - The extraordinary charges brought on by the rebellion, account fully for the necessities of the crown.
— from The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 01 (of 12) by Edmund Burke - How very extraordinary!
— from Persuasion by Jane Austen - How extraordinary!
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust - Leon VI., the ex-king, into whose mouth Froissart puts some extraordinary geography, had a pension of 1000_l.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano - The report of this extraordinary and unexpected discovery spread not only all over France, but over England and Germany.
— from A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne
