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Literary notes about WHIMSY (AI summary)

In literature, the word "whimsy" is often employed to evoke a sense of playful capriciousness or imaginative spontaneity. It appears as a marker of a lighthearted, sometimes impulsive mood—whether describing a character’s fleeting smile of mischief ([1]) or labeling a narrative that revels in eccentric, fanciful form ([2]). At times, it suggests an amusing or ironic departure from strict realism, as when creative impulses drive characters toward actions that seem governed by their inner, unpredictable humor ([3], [4], [5]). In other contexts, "whimsy" underlines a more subtle commentary on human nature and even societal convention, hinting at the delicate balance between earnest emotion and the absurdity of life ([6], [7], [8]).
  1. After the fight you put up to force your way in!" Laddie studied the sky, a whimsy smile on his lips.
    — from Laddie: A True Blue Story by Gene Stratton-Porter
  2. The narrative Louÿs called The Adventures of King Pausolus was of the whimsy story type.
    — from Woman and Puppet, Etc. by Pierre Louÿs
  3. Now, Chance, what have you to say to me?” It was more of the fantastic whimsy with which Walker Farr played.
    — from The Landloper: The Romance of a Man on Foot by Holman Day
  4. “It can't be more than some passing whimsy.
    — from The Market-Place by Harold Frederic
  5. Moved by a sudden whimsy, she entered the cabin.
    — from The Perils of Pauline by Charles Goddard
  6. I recognized her; it was Whimsy White, erstwhile star of television and premiere of the "Vision Varieties of '09."
    — from The Worlds of If by Stanley G. (Stanley Grauman) Weinbaum
  7. It is idle to say that a writer imagines every extravagant and impossible whimsy which comes into his head.
    — from Talks on the study of literature. by Arlo Bates
  8. He wondered what sudden, devil-may-care whimsy was this that was galloping him away from business and politics and every other sane subject!
    — from All-Wool Morrison Time -- Today, Place -- the United States, Period of Action -- Twenty-four Hours by Holman Day

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