"To meet him, after so long a separation, here, and in these circumstances, was so unlooked-for and abrupt and event, and revived a tribe of such hateful impulses and agonizing recollections, that a total revolution seemed to have been reflected in my frame."

— Brown, Charles Brockden (1771-1810)


Place of Publication
Philadelphia
Publisher
Hugh Maxwell
Date
1799
Metaphor
"To meet him, after so long a separation, here, and in these circumstances, was so unlooked-for and abrupt and event, and revived a tribe of such hateful impulses and agonizing recollections, that a total revolution seemed to have been reflected in my frame."
Metaphor in Context
When the image of Colvill rushed, upon this occasion, on my thought, I almost started on my feet. To meet him, after so long a separation, here, and in these circumstances, was so unlooked-for and abrupt and event, and revived a tribe of such hateful impulses and agonizing recollections, that a total revolution seemed to have been reflected in my frame. His recognition of my person, his aversion to be seen, his ejaculation of terror and surprise on first hearing my voice, all contributed to strengthen my belief.
(Part I, chapter 20, p. 401)
Provenance
Reading
Citation
First part published in 1799; second in 1800. Reading and transcribing text from Charles Brockden Brown, Three Gothic Novels. New York: Library of America,1998.
Date of Entry
07/18/2003
Date of Review
10/22/2003

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.