Literary notes about Dejected (AI summary)
The term dejected is frequently employed to convey a palpable sense of despondency, melancholy, or defeat in literary works. It often serves to accentuate the internal state of a character, as seen when a figure is depicted with a heavy, downcast expression ([1], [2]) or described as burdened by life's misfortunes ([3], [4]). At times, the word underscores not only personal sorrow but also a broader, atmospheric gloom that permeates a narrative, whether in the portrayal of a solitary wanderer with a dejected tail ([1]) or in an epic moment of morale collapse during battle ([5]). Its enduring use—from satirical or moral narratives to heroic epics—demonstrates its versatility in evoking both individual and collective despair ([6], [7]).
- With that, they walk again; she, making those angry spirts in the sand; he, dragging that dejected tail.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - After some three-quarters of an hour the door opened, and the Badger reappeared, solemnly leading by the paw a very limp and dejected Toad.
— from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame - Going Yesterday to Dine with an old Acquaintance, I had the Misfortune to find his whole Family very much dejected.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Everything was bowed down, dejected, oppressed, and broken.
— from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens - And mustering together, the celestials began to slay the Danavas, who were dejected at the death of their leader.
— from The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 - Thin on the tow’rs they stand; and ev’n those few A feeble, fainting, and dejected crew.
— from The Aeneid by Virgil - It is as mean to be overjoyed upon Occasions of Good-Fortune, as to be dejected in Circumstances of Distress.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson
