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Literary notes about Perceptive (AI summary)

In literature, the word "perceptive" conveys much more than mere seeing—it suggests a refined, almost intuitive, awareness that penetrates appearances to uncover deeper meanings. Characters described as perceptive are often endowed with a sensitivity that enables them to grasp underlying emotions, social currents, or hidden truths, as seen when a character’s sympathetic nature allows her to foresee societal challenges ([1]). The term is also employed to characterize a sensory acuity that goes beyond the physical, for instance, when eyes are rendered perceptive enough to discern subtle beauties or foreshadow significant events ([2], [3]). Moreover, "perceptive" frequently bridges intellectual and emotional realms—imbuing a character or narrative with an insight that feels both instinctive and cultivated, highlighting an inner wisdom that sometimes emerges in moments of reflection or crisis ([4], [5]). This versatile usage enriches character portrayal and deepens the thematic texture of literary works.
  1. Barton’s perceptive and sympathetic nature led her to foresee innumerable social problems after the Civil War.
    — from Clara Barton National Historic Site, MarylandHandbook 110 by United States. National Park Service
  2. Render the eyes perceptive that they may witness the lights of Thy Kingdom.
    — from The Promulgation of Universal Peace by `Abdu'l-Bahá
  3. And only a very perceptive person might notice that her smile seemed to have an intensity, an anticipation slightly beyond his.
    — from Made to Measure by William Campbell Gault
  4. She represents not only creative power but Perceptive Wisdom.
    — from The God-Idea of the Ancients; Or, Sex in Religion by Eliza Burt Gamble
  5. The intense excitement of the events had no doubt left my perceptive powers in a state of erethism.
    — from The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

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