Literary notes about general (AI summary)
The term “general” is deployed in a wide spectrum of ways. In historical and military narratives, it plainly designates a rank or command—ranging from a cautious inquiry by a military leader ([1]) and practical orders in memoirs ([2], [3]), to strategic descriptions of troop deployments ([4], [5]). At the same time, its adjectival use conveys a sense of breadth or all-inclusiveness, as seen when authors refer to overarching social principles or moods ([6], [7], [8]). Moreover, this dual usage extends into more lighthearted or rhetorical contexts, where “general” can add a humorous or reflective character to the narrative ([9], [10]).
- " "Got cannon?" says the hesitating general.
— from The art of money getting : by P. T. Barnum - The general went away with his head between his hands, and throwing off my cloak I took the first pistol that came to my hand.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - General Rawlins was very conscientious, but a very sick man when appointed Secretary of War.
— from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman — Complete by William T. Sherman - General Wallace's division was stationed, the First brigade at Crump's landing, the Second out two miles, and the Third two and a half miles out.
— from Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete by Ulysses S. Grant - It was, therefore, finally arranged that, on the California, I was to accompany General Smith to San Francisco as his adjutant-general.
— from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman — Complete by William T. Sherman - These general statements will now be illustrated by examples.
— from The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion by James George Frazer - Synthetical propositions, which relate to things in general, an a priori intuition of which is impossible, are transcendental.
— from The Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant - Evil in general can only spring from disorder, and in the order of the world I find a never failing system.
— from Emile by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - "Too much, has he?" said one, and was followed by a coarse, cold, derisive, general laugh.
— from The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 2 by Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb - " "And all men too. Weren't you jealous of General Tufto, and the General of you, on the night of the Opera?
— from Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
