Literary notes about Raillery (AI summary)
The term "raillery" has been employed in literature with a range of nuances—from witty banter to satirical mockery. In works such as Congreve’s The Way of the World [1, 2, 3, 4, 5], the word underscores a playful yet cutting exchange of repartee, highlighting social wit and the art of light criticism. Meanwhile, authors like Thomas Jefferson [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] and Montaigne [11] demonstrate its capacity to encapsulate both formal and informal dissent, using raillery as a shield against more serious accusations. Its usage in Pushkin’s verse [12] and Dickens’s narrative [13] further illustrates how raillery can serve as both affectionate teasing and subtle commentary on societal norms. Across diverse genres—from the sophisticated repartee in literature to the respectful jabs in political discourse—the versatile nature of raillery enriches dialogue, providing a space where humor and criticism meet.
- When you have been abroad, nephew, you’ll understand raillery better.
— from The Way of the World by William Congreve - Oh, raillery, raillery!
— from The Way of the World by William Congreve - What pity ’tis so much fine raillery, and delivered with so significant gesture, should be so unhappily directed to miscarry.
— from The Way of the World by William Congreve - Raillery, raillery, madam; we have no animosity.
— from The Way of the World by William Congreve - Oh, raillery, raillery!
— from The Way of the World by William Congreve - But let them remember, that I do hereby enter my Caveat against this Piece of Raillery.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - But seeing me safe, they took their Posts again, and renewed their Raillery.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - It was with some Mortification that I suffered the Raillery of a Fine Lady of my Acquaintance, for calling, in one of my Papers,
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - The Raillery of them was natural, and well enough for a mere Man of the Town; but, very unluckily, several of the Words were wrong spelt.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - This Humour is so moderate in each of them, that it proceeds no farther than to an agreeable Raillery, which very often diverts the rest of the Club.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Plato treats of this mystery with a raillery manifest enough; for where he writes according to his own method he gives no certain rule.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne - VI Time was, his raillery was gay, He loved the simpleton to mock, To make wise men the idiot play Openly or 'neath decent cloak.
— from Eugene Oneguine [Onegin] by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin - 'Now, old 'un!' cried Fascination, in his light raillery, 'what dodgery are you up to next, sitting there with your eyes shut?
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
