Literary notes about Reproachful (AI summary)
In literature, "reproachful" serves as a versatile adjective that not only delineates a speaker's tone but also vividly portrays a character's internal state and relational dynamics. Authors employ it to underscore disapproval or regret—often conveyed through a glance, remark, or manner of speech. For instance, a reproachful tone may emerge in a character's admonishing question or a self-directed sense of contrition, as seen in narrative moments where a character’s eyes or voice communicate silent censure or self-reproach ([1], [2]). At other times, it heightens dramatic tension by emphasizing a character’s moral indignation or disappointment, such as when sharply worded accusations are delivered in a reproachful accent or look ([3], [4]). This dynamic usage imbues dialogues and interactions with an emotional depth that reveals conflicts, social expectations, and personal remorse across a broad spectrum of literary works ([5], [6]).
- "I shall stay, of course; I'm oldest," began Meg, looking anxious and self-reproachful.
— from Little Women; Or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Louisa May Alcott - She bent over and kissed Leslie's upturned reproachful face.
— from Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery - “d’Artagnan,” said Aramis, in a reproachful tone, “how could you believe that we had made a disturbance?”
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - But (with a reproachful smile at Emma) she receives attentions from Mrs. Elton, which nobody else pays her.”
— from Emma by Jane Austen - “That is very lucky,” said the old man, in a reproachful tone.
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - Before she had finished speaking, there had come back into his face the stern, reproachful expression of the dying man’s envy of the living.
— from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy