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Literary notes about Urbanity (AI summary)

Across literary works, "urbanity" has been employed to convey a spectrum of refined, courteous qualities that illuminate both character and social interaction. In early uses like that in Dante’s work [1], the term implied a reputation enhanced by polished, even if light-headed, manners among one’s neighbors, while Machiavelli’s portrayal [2] highlights the charm and graciousness that ensure pleasing conversation. Later, writers such as Henry James [3] and Dostoyevsky [4] use the word to describe steady, refined comportment, whereas in more instructional texts like Farley and Kittredge’s grammar guide [5], the term underscores a respectful, socially assured demeanor. Its versatility is further noted in descriptive travel literature [6] and even echoed in demonstrative expressions of civility in texts from Emerson [7] to Byron [8]. In Jefferson’s modern political rhetoric [9] as well as Galdós’ linguistic notation [10], "urbanity" continues to resonate as a multifaceted marker of dignified behavior in interpersonal encounters, bridging the realms of literary description and social ideal.
  1. Among their neighbours they still bear the reputation of light-headedness; also, it ought to be added, of great urbanity.
    — from The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri: The Inferno by Dante Alighieri
  2. He was of a gracious presence, and he welcomed men with such urbanity that those who spoke with him rarely left him displeased.
    — from The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
  3. Mr. Giovanelli’s urbanity was apparently imperturbable.
    — from Daisy Miller: A Study by Henry James
  4. His nose was a little redder, and his manner had gained in urbanity, that was all.
    — from The possessed : by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  5. “I trust we’re at liberty to enter,” said the elder lady with urbanity.
    — from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge
  6. As a return for his kindness and urbanity I presented him with a small pistol, which he received with extreme gratification.
    — from Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia, and Laos (Vol. 1 of 2) by Henri Mouhot
  7. Nor in fine does his abruptness ever impede a true urbanity.
    — from Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson by Ralph Waldo Emerson
  8. To his gay nothings, nothing was replied, Or something which was nothing, as urbanity Required.
    — from Don Juan by Baron George Gordon Byron Byron
  9. Indeed, his urbanity made a deep impression upon all his colleagues.
    — from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson
  10. urbanidad f urbanity, civility.
    — from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós

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