Literary notes about Collegian (AI summary)
The term "collegian" has served to evoke images of both academic life and broader social identities in literature. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s work, for instance, the collegian is portrayed in intimate proximity, his presence marking a subtle yet distinct separation from the narrator, suggesting an awareness of individuality and personal space [1]. In contrast, Thackeray’s usage in Vanity Fair broadens the term’s social connotation by aligning the collegian with other notable societal figures such as a Parliament man or a Baronet, thereby transforming the role into one with political and social significance [2].
- I noticed that there was less room than usual to-night between the collegian's chair and mine.
— from Twice-told tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne - He saw him in his mind's eye, a collegian, a Parliament man, a Baronet, perhaps.
— from Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
