Literary notes about blithely (AI summary)
The term "blithely" is used to imbue actions and attitudes with a light, carefree, and often buoyant quality in literature. It frequently characterizes movements or expressions that suggest an untroubled, almost irreverent joy, whether a character is raising a cup with fearless gaiety [1], tripping up the stairs in an innocent burst of energy [2], or engaging in witty repartee with a languid nonchalance [3]. At times, it accentuates the juxtaposition of underlying gravity with a seemingly offhand demeanor, as when characters sing, jog, or step confidently into their routines [4]. This adverbial flourish not only adds rhythm and color to the narrative but also underscores a dynamic interplay between emotion and action, enriching the overall tone of the work.
- But if he do, to claim his own, He shall not find me lying prone; But blithely, bravely, sitting up, And raising high the stirrup-cup.
— from The Wit and Humor of America, Volume X (of X) - And now, this crisp September morning, Anne and Diana were tripping blithely down the Birch Path, two of the happiest little girls in Avonlea.
— from Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery - “That will I do blithely,” replied the Pilgrim, “and without guerdon; my oath, for a time, prohibits me from touching gold.”
— from Ivanhoe: A Romance by Walter Scott - “And now I'll tell you the game,” proposed Pollyanna, blithely confident.
— from Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
