Literary notes about Openness (AI summary)
In literature, "openness" carries a multifaceted significance that spans from the physical to the emotional and moral. At times, it denotes a literal characteristic—such as the measurement of a nostril’s openness [1] or the unimpeded vastness of a landscape [2]—while often it takes on a symbolic role in defining character and relationship dynamics. Authors employ the term to evoke the qualities of candor, sincerity, and uninhibited expression, as seen in portrayals of characters whose frankness and unreserved nature both endear and complicate their interactions [3], [4], [5]. In other contexts, openness is used to highlight a tension between vulnerability and potential imprudence, suggesting that a willingness to reveal oneself can border on indiscretion [6], [7]. Thus, the word functions as a versatile literary tool, bridging tangible descriptions with abstract emotional and ethical dimensions.
- — Distribution of the frequency of the different grades of "openness" of nostril when one parent has the open nostril and the other the closed.
— from Inheritance of Characteristics in Domestic Fowl by Charles Benedict Davenport - The "openness" of the land is constantly dwelt upon by those who picture its location.
— from The World's Progress, Vol. 01 (of 10) With Illustrative texts from Masterpieces of Egyptian, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Modern European and American Literature by Delphian Society - But this proud openness was made lovable by an expression of unaffected good-will.
— from Middlemarch by George Eliot - Among men who have any sound and sterling qualities, there is nothing so contagious as pure openness of heart.
— from Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens - You can speak with complete openness to Agafya, but spare dear auntie.
— from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - Then he found that the openness with which Dove related his past hopes, and the marks of affection Ephie had given him, bordered on indecency.
— from Maurice Guest by Henry Handel Richardson - His over-security and openness have ruined us both!
— from Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson
