Literary notes about Hum (AI summary)
The term "hum" appears in literature to evoke a range of atmospheres and moods. It can denote a literal, gentle sound, whether produced by a character softly singing in solitude ([1]) or by nature, as in the low, pervasive murmur of insects or voices in the background ([2], [3]). At times it conveys mechanical or ambient noise—a thrumming engine or the low vibration of machinery that underscores a scene's tension or everyday life ([4], [5]). Moreover, "hum" is used as an interjection to express hesitation or to lend a natural rhythm to dialogue, adding layers of meaning to a character's pause or doubt ([6], [7], [8]). In this way, the word enriches narrative settings by blending sensory detail with nuanced emotional expression.
- Then the Prince went back into his room again, and began to hum and to sing.
— from The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang - They seemed in no haste to do so, but heard in silence the hum of insects and the distant song of one bird.
— from The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare by G. K. Chesterton - The wild scene about me lay sleeping silently under the sun, and the only sound near me was the thin hum of some small gnats that had discovered me.
— from The island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells - The little samovar slowly began to get hot, and all at once, unexpectedly, broke into a tremulous bass hum.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - River, a little after 8, full of ice, mostly broken, but some large cakes making our strong-timber'd steamboat hum and quiver as she strikes them.
— from Complete Prose Works by Walt Whitman - "Hum"—said Mrs. Ferrars—"very pretty,"—and
— from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - “No, for Porthos will pay you.” “Hum!” said the host, in a doubtful tone.
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - Hum, faith, I don’t know as to that, I can’t say as to that.
— from The Way of the World by William Congreve
