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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].
  1. "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
  2. “God bless you,” the beggar chanted in a lachrymose voice.
    — from Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  3. Her face takes a lachrymose expression.
    — from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
  4. The general made a lachrymose face, and waved his hand.
    — from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
  5. 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
  6. In love's campaigns Oneguine heard With quite a lachrymose expression
    — from Eugene Oneguine [Onegin] by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. * * * * * * I suppose Catherine fulfilled her project, for the next sentence took up another subject: she waxed lachrymose.
    — from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
  10. …” 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

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