Literary notes about LACHRYMOSE (AI summary)
The term "lachrymose" has been employed in literature to evoke a sense of mournful or tearful expression, characterizing both tone and demeanor across various contexts. In some instances, it is used to describe a vocal quality imbued with pathos—as seen when a character chants in a tearful manner [1] or when a beggar's voice carries an air of sorrow [2]. The adjective also captures visible manifestations of grief or disinterest, such as a character’s facial expression that appears tearful [3] or even a general making a sorrowful face [4]. Moreover, authors have invoked "lachrymose" to underline a broader emotional or cultural critique, comparing modern sentiments to those of the past [5] or highlighting the melodramatic air in literary romances [6][7]. This versatility in usage—from describing vocal intonation to depicting physical expressions—illustrates how "lachrymose" has enriched literary portrayals of melancholy, whether emphasizing ironic dramatic flair [8] or subtle personal lament [9][10].
- "I tell you what, my love," he wheezed in the most lachrymose chant, "I tell you what, my love ... khee-khee!
— from Short Stories by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - “God bless you,” the beggar chanted in a lachrymose voice.
— from Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - Her face takes a lachrymose expression.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - The general made a lachrymose face, and waved his hand.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - The modern woman is as lachrymose and as coarse in heart as she was in the middle ages.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - In love's campaigns Oneguine heard With quite a lachrymose expression
— from Eugene Oneguine [Onegin] by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin - When poets lachrymose recite Beneath the eyes of ladies bright Their own productions, some insist No greater pleasure can exist Just so!
— from Eugene Oneguine [Onegin] by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin - She was disappointed somehow—the whole affair had been so ludicrous, and Miranda and Joe so lachrymose and commonplace.
— from Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery - * * * * * * I suppose Catherine fulfilled her project, for the next sentence took up another subject: she waxed lachrymose.
— from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë - …” When she had done the lamp, Nastasya stood in the doorway, leaned her cheek in her right hand, and began gazing at him with a lachrymose air.
— from The possessed : by Fyodor Dostoyevsky