Literary notes about OUTCRY (AI summary)
Throughout literary works, "outcry" is fashioned as a potent expression of both individual emotion and collective reaction. It frequently appears as a spontaneous, uncontrollable shout—an instinctive burst of passion or distress [1]—while also serving as a rallying or protesting call among groups, as seen when communities denounce injustice or tyranny [2, 3]. In some instances, the term lends a dramatic, almost mythic quality to nature itself or to fabled characters, imbuing narratives with an air of destiny and heightened emotion [4, 5]. Elsewhere, a more ironic or restrained use of "outcry" hints at inner turmoil or social commentary, reflecting the multifaceted ways in which human voices break through oppressive silence or uncertainty [6, 7]. This wide range of applications underscores the word’s versatility as both an evocative sound and a symbolic cry that propels narrative momentum.
- Without any effort of his will, or power to restrain himself, he shrieked aloud; an outcry that
— from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - Immediately there arose a general outcry of indignation, and a formidable expression of resistance was made in Paris and in the large towns.
— from Manners, Customs, and Dress During the Middle Ages and During the Renaissance Period by P. L. Jacob - The outcry was renewed, and the order, not only to fire again, but to pursue, was too plainly audible.
— from The Last of the Mohicans; A narrative of 1757 by James Fenimore Cooper - O the people in the street cry Romeo, Some Juliet, and some Paris, and all run With open outcry toward our monument.
— from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare - And the Nymphs followed in his train with him for their leader; and the boundless forest was filled with their outcry.
— from Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica by Hesiod - The poor dog set up a piteous outcry, and ran to the door.
— from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë - “What outcry again is this?” said Owain.
— from The Mabinogion
