Among the classical field theories, general relativity theory occupies a
somewhat peculiar place. Unlike those of most other field theories, the field
equations in relativity theory are non-linear. This implies that many facts, well
known in linear theories, have no analogues in general relativity theory, and
conversely. The equations of motion of the sources of the gravitational field are
contained in the field equations, a fact which does not apply for the motion of an
electron in the electromagnetic field. Conversely, it is difficult to define the
notion of a wave (familiar in electrodynamics) in relativity theory; for, the
linear principle of superposition is crucial for the existence of waves (at least
in the sense that the notion of a wave is normally used).