Literary notes about Humiliated (AI summary)
In literature, "humiliated" functions as a potent marker of loss of dignity and social betrayal, capturing both personal pain and systemic injustice. It is used to illustrate moments when characters are stripped of pride—whether through crude misfortune that doubly degrades a man’s sense of self ([1]) or through the public shaming inflicted upon marginalized groups ([2]). The term further emphasizes the struggle against societal hierarchies, as characters fear becoming objects of derision and even take pride in their capacity to avoid or overcome such disgrace ([3], [4]). In dramatic narratives, humiliation often catalyzes internal conflict and external retaliation—a fallen pride that can drive one towards both self-destruction and a relentless desire to reclaim honor ([5], [6], [7]). Across various settings, from intimate personal defeats to blatant displays of condescension, "humiliated" encapsulates the painful intersection of vulnerability and social power ([8], [9]).
- A man couldn't hear it 'thout bein' humiliated more ways'n one.
— from The Best Short Stories of 1917, and the Yearbook of the American Short Story - But even in the Friends' Meeting-house, her eye was quick to see negro seats where women of the despised race were still publicly humiliated.
— from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I - I must warn you that the company will consist of honest people of the lower classes, and I cannot have them humiliated in any way.”
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - I’m not jealous, but I’m wounded, humiliated that anybody dare think, that anybody dare look at you with eyes like that.”
— from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy - I have been insulted, humiliated,... and I have insulted others in my time.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - Once the lawyer thought he had humiliated K. sufficiently, he usually started something that would raise his spirits again.
— from The Trial by Franz Kafka - The Russians have gone, and are in flight far from here; they are on their way back to Russia, well drubbed and very much humiliated.
— from Napoleon's Letters to Josephine, 1796-1812 by Emperor of the French Napoleon I - —A God humiliated, even to the death on the cross; a Messiah triumphing over death by his own death.
— from Pascal's Pensées by Blaise Pascal - “Oh, monsieur!” said Planchet, humiliated by the suspicion, and moreover, terrified at the calm air of the Musketeer.
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet