Literary notes about Nonchalant (AI summary)
In literature, “nonchalant” is often used to describe a character’s calm, detached demeanor, whether in the face of danger or during everyday interactions. It conveys a deliberate, sometimes ironic attitude of ease, as when a character faces death with a cool indifference [1] or adopts an unaffected manner even when inner anxiety is evident [2]. Authors use the term to add depth to characters, revealing layers of hidden emotion behind an apparently casual exterior—whether it’s a leisurely, composed gesture [3] or an attempt to mask nervousness in tense moments [4]. In this way, “nonchalant” enriches narrative tone by highlighting both genuine composure and well-crafted affectation [5][6].
- It occurred to her for the first time that there must be good material in a man who could come through in a contest with death, nonchalant.
— from The Drums of Jeopardy by Harold MacGrath - Hagen strove to appear nonchalant but his eyes widened regardless.
— from Mr. Chipfellow's Jackpot by Dick Purcell - He showed great nerve, for while sitting on the ground waiting for a stretcher, he remarked in a nonchalant way, "Give me a cigarette.
— from Football DaysMemories of the Game and of the Men behind the Ball by William H. (William Hanford) Edwards - He sat down opposite the rabbi, and struggled hard to appear nonchalant and at his ease, even going to the length of lighting a cigarette.
— from The Yoke of the Thorah by Henry Harland - His manner was nonchalant to the last degree.
— from The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie - He sat opposite to me, and lit a cigarette in his old, nonchalant manner.
— from The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
