Literary notes about Quarrelsome (AI summary)
The term "quarrelsome" appears in literature with remarkable versatility, often serving to vividly characterize both human temperaments and even mythic beings. In some works it is used to depict the moody or combative nature of individuals, as seen in the depiction of ill-humored characters by Dostoyevsky ([1], [2], [3]) and the portrayal of contentious behavior in social dynamics in James Joyce’s writings ([4], [5], [6]). Authors like Sherwood Anderson ([7], [8]) and Charles Dickens ([9]) use the word to denote a state of irritability that marks a character’s behavior in moments of inebriation or emotional distress. Meanwhile, in proverbial or folkloric texts, "quarrelsome" extends to describe animals ([10], [11]) or serves as a cautionary element in moral lessons and etiquette manuals ([12], [13], [14]). Thus, across genres ranging from classic novels to folk tales and even strategic manuals, "quarrelsome" consistently enriches narrative texture by highlighting a propensity for strife and discord.
- He went in to Kirillov, looking ill-humoured and quarrelsome.
— from The possessed : by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - I can't endure that quarrelsome virago."
— from Short Stories by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - She was a particularly quarrelsome and irresponsible German.
— from Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - “And besides, Aunt Kate,” said Mary Jane, “we really are all hungry and when we are hungry we are all very quarrelsome.”
— from Dubliners by James Joyce - “And when we are thirsty we are also quarrelsome,” added Mr Browne.
— from Dubliners by James Joyce - This spirit of quarrelsome comradeship which he had observed lately in his rival had not seduced Stephen from his habits of quiet obedience.
— from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce - When the boys with whom he associated were noisy and quarrelsome, he stood quietly at one side.
— from Winesburg, Ohio: A Group of Tales of Ohio Small Town Life by Sherwood Anderson - She flew into half insane fits of temper during which she was sometimes silent, sometimes noisy and quarrelsome.
— from Winesburg, Ohio: A Group of Tales of Ohio Small Town Life by Sherwood Anderson - He knew in his cups three distinct stages of intoxication,—the dignified—the quarrelsome—the amorous.
— from Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens - The crab is quarrelsome like his father; and he sometimes becomes so angry with his mother, the [ 146 ] Moon, that he tries to swallow her.
— from Philippine Folk Tales - The Sun and the Moon were married, but the Sun was very ugly and quarrelsome.
— from Philippine Folk Tales - (d) Be as irritable and quarrelsome as possible without getting yourself into trouble.
— from Simple Sabotage Field Manual by United States. Office of Strategic Services - A good swordsman is never quarrelsome.
— from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs - The dog that is quarrelsome and not strong, woe to his hide.
— from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs
