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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]).
  1. "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
  2. She bent over and kissed Leslie's upturned reproachful face.
    — from Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery
  3. “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
  4. But (with a reproachful smile at Emma) she receives attentions from Mrs. Elton, which nobody else pays her.”
    — from Emma by Jane Austen
  5. “That is very lucky,” said the old man, in a reproachful tone.
    — from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
  6. 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

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