Literary notes about Delinquent (AI summary)
The word “delinquent” is deployed in literature to evoke a spectrum of meaning—from that of a moral or legal transgressor to someone who has simply fallen short of expected obligations. In some contexts, it refers to a self-styled criminal or miscreant whose actions breach societal or judicial norms [1, 2], while in others it marks individuals, especially youths, whose behavior deviates from accepted patterns, often prompting examination or reform [3, 4, 5]. The term is also extended metaphorically to describe negligent behavior in duty or payment, reflecting an underlying estrangement from communal standards [6, 7, 8]. Throughout various genres, “delinquent” emerges as a versatile label, negotiating themes of punishment, social marginalization, and even irony, as seen in narratives where characters accept or defy the stigma attached to their nonconformity [9, 10, 11].
- A delinquent, a criminal--for such I was in his eyes--to dare to interrupt his judge in such a tone, and with such a request--it was impossible.
— from Hammer and Anvil: A Novel by Friedrich Spielhagen - The payment of the bail does not, however, relieve the delinquent defendant of further punishment.
— from The Short Constitution by William F. (William Fletcher) Russell - Mr Healy is director of the Psychopathic institute, in connection with the Juvenile court of Chicago, and author of “The individual delinquent.”
— from The Book Review Digest, Volume 13, 1917Thirteenth Annual Cumulation Reviews of 1917 Books by Various - Hickman, H. B. Delinquent and Criminal Boys Tested by the Binet Scale.
— from Deficiency and Delinquency: An Interpretation of Mental Testing by James Burt Miner - This is to be compared with 70 and 16% among ordinary Minneapolis delinquent boys (Table XIII).
— from Deficiency and Delinquency: An Interpretation of Mental Testing by James Burt Miner - Notices of non-payment of dues shall be mailed to delinquent members on or about December 1st.
— from Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting - In 1858 an act was passed by the Legislature enabling the Council to sell real estate for delinquent taxes due the town.
— from The History of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia by S. J. (Silvanus Jackson) Quinn - Members whose dues have not been paid by January 1st shall be considered delinquent.
— from Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting - But turning her head round, she discovered the delinquent.
— from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous - Which was the real delinquent?” “Both, sir; one with a letter, and the other put it in the post.”
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - but Sir Thomas give fresh instructions, he, Grasp, would still pursue the delinquent, and bring him to condign punishment.
— from William Shakespeare as He Lived: An Historical Tale by Henry Curling
