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Literary notes about Prance (AI summary)

In literature, "prance" often gestures toward a lively, spirited movement, frequently describing the animated gait of horses and other animals, as well as the energetic or affected behavior of people. It conveys both literal action and a sense of joyful flamboyance—a horse might prance along a sandy beach or down a country road ([1], [2]), while a character might exhibit a prance that hints at triumph, capriciousness, or even mockery ([3], [4]). Moreover, the term can serve as an ironic or symbolic device, with some authors bestowing it as a surname ([5], [6]) or using it to underscore an exaggerated sense of self-importance or eccentricity ([7], [8]). This multiplicity of meaning enriches narrative tone by infusing scenes with dynamic motion and vivid character nuance.
  1. His gelding emerged from the water, threw back its head and snorted, then broke into a prance along the sandy beach.
    — from Caribbee by Thomas Hoover
  2. On entering Yonville she made her horse prance in the road.
    — from Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
  3. There seemed a little prance of triumph in his movement, she could not rid herself of a movement of acquiescence, a touch of acceptance.
    — from The Rainbow by D. H. Lawrence
  4. I remembered I had seen him slinking away during the quarrel, in a half prance, half shuffle, and trying very hard not to look scared.
    — from Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad
  5. And never was there a girl so popular as Della Prance.
    — from The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, August, 1913Vol. LXXXVI. New Series: Vol. LXIV. May to October, 1913 by Various
  6. Mr. Prance took his hands out of his pockets, Mrs. Prance dried her tears, and both looked quite gay and beaming when the guests appeared.
    — from Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Volume 3Cupid and Chow-chow, etc. by Louisa May Alcott
  7. Likewise a little explanation of what you exactly mean might be of use, if you seriously hope to reconcile us to this most prodigious prance.
    — from Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 379, May, 1847 by Various
  8. Well, he begun to shuffle and prance and cut up like a boy makin' faces, and there's where Alta she ducked in through the parlor winder.
    — from The Duke Of Chimney Butte by George W. (George Washington) Ogden

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