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Literary notes about avoid (AI summary)

In literature, "avoid" operates as a versatile term that often conveys the deliberate act of steering clear of undesirable situations or influences. It is employed to depict characters evading physical danger or scandal, as when a man shuns the crowded streets to escape common perils [1] or a gentleman takes steps to prevent social awkwardness by sidestepping certain conversations [2]. In some writings, the word functions as a guideline for proper behavior—for instance, advising against loud or ostentatious actions to maintain decorum [3]—while in more philosophical reflections it hints at a broader strategy of preserving moral or mental well‐being by refusing to dwell on troubling thoughts [4]. Moreover, its usage in narratives emphasizes personal self-preservation, as seen in characters who consciously refrain from interactions that might lead to discomfort or conflict [5]. Overall, "avoid" emerges as a succinct way to express both physical evasion and preventive restraint across various literary genres.
  1. He seemed to avoid every street which was the customary passage of mankind.
    — from Sybil, Or, The Two Nations by Earl of Beaconsfield Benjamin Disraeli
  2. As he wished to avoid any scandal, he made his wife an allowance, which was arranged by their lawyers.
    — from Complete Original Short Stories of Guy De Maupassant by Guy de Maupassant
  3. Avoid the loud, thumping style, and also the over-solemn style.
    — from The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley
  4. to escape death; but it is much more difficult to avoid depravity, for it runs swifter than death.
    — from Apology, Crito, and Phaedo of Socrates by Plato
  5. But for the rest of the time she seemed to avoid looking at him or speaking to him.
    — from Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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