Literary notes about Alacrity (AI summary)
In literature, "alacrity" is often employed to convey a sense of prompt and willing action, whether in everyday tasks or in the heat of conflict. Authors use the term to illustrate characters who respond with eager readiness—accepting invitations without hesitation ([1], [2], [3]) or engaging in battle with spirited resolve ([4], [5], [6]). It is sometimes rendered with a nuanced tone as it contrasts with underlying reluctance or ironic detachment ([7], [8]). Throughout classic works by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, and others, "alacrity" is thus a versatile device, enriching both character portrayal and narrative pace ([9], [10], [11]).
- Yes, he had no engagement at all for to-morrow; and her invitation was accepted with alacrity.
— from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - I rose with all alacrity, to acquit myself of this commission.
— from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens - We have nothing more to say, and may break up our pleasant party.' 'By all means,' observed Mr. Bumble, with great alacrity.
— from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens - So the armies joined battle; and it came to a close fight, hand to hand, both sides showing great alacrity, and encouraging one another.
— from Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus - Coming out of the water, he ran furiously up against a hill, and with the same alacrity and swiftness ran down again.
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - More than two thousand raving savages broke from the forest at the signal, and threw themselves across the fatal plain with instinctive alacrity.
— from The Last of the Mohicans; A narrative of 1757 by James Fenimore Cooper - Tom gave up the brush with reluctance in his face, but alacrity in his heart.
— from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Complete by Mark Twain - But, on his own part, he now saw no reason for a display of alacrity.
— from The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale by Joseph Conrad - Pyotr Stepanovitch took his bag, his rug, and his book, and at once and with alacrity transferred himself to the first class.
— from The possessed : by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - With grace of alacrity towards the mirror gilt Cantrell and Cochrane’s she turned herself.
— from Ulysses by James Joyce - “Certainly,” he replied with alacrity, and stood up to put it in train for speaking.
— from Dracula by Bram Stoker
