Literary notes about Irresolute (AI summary)
In literature, “irresolute” is frequently employed to emphasize a character’s hesitation and wavering nature. Authors use the term to evoke the inner uncertainty of protagonists, whether in moments of emotional turmoil or when faced with crucial decisions. For instance, it appears when a character lingers at a doorway unsure of entering, heightening the dramatic tension of the narrative [1, 2]. In other instances, the word encapsulates the broader theme of indecision in society or politics, as seen in reflections on leadership and personal resolve [3, 4]. Its usage thus enriches the text by conveying both the fragility of human determination and the complexity of internal conflict, making characters and situations feel more authentically human and relatable [5, 6].
- “There was such earnestness, such despair, in her manner that her words arrested me, and I stood irresolute before the door.
— from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - I shut the parlour door, as he bid me; but stood at it irresolute.
— from Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson - Shall it be Mars de Broglie, with his hundred pieces of cannon?—Not yet, answers prudence; so soft, irresolute is King Louis.
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - And irresolute princes, to avoid present dangers, generally follow the neutral path, and are generally ruined.
— from The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli - “Well, in one of your late conversations with him, you said that I appeared to be forgetful and irresolute concerning this marriage, did you not?”
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - He wandered on again, irresolute and undecided, and oppressed with the fear of another solitary night.
— from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
