Literary notes about Embolden (AI summary)
In literature, the use of the word "embolden" varies across genres and contexts, serving as a dynamic descriptor of encouragement or provocation. For example, in the Victorian erotic novel [1], the term hints at a subtle provocation, suggesting that even a seemingly trivial gesture, like having powder in one's hair, might spur an otherwise hesitant character to act. In a starkly different context, the phrase appears in a tactical discussion on sabotage [2], where success is portrayed as a catalyst that strengthens resolve towards bolder, more ambitious actions. Meanwhile, Samuel Richardson’s classic [3] employs "embolden" in an emotionally charged sense, implying that words or actions can inspire confidence and positive reflection. Thus, across a diverse range of narratives, "embolden" consistently functions to signal the transformation of hesitance into assertiveness.