Literary notes about caress (AI summary)
The term caress appears in literature as a richly layered metaphor that can evoke both physical tenderness and a broader emotional or symbolic touch. In some works a caress conveys warm, nurturing affection—a mother’s gentle care or a cherished embrace between lovers ([1], [2])—while other texts employ the term to hint at sensuality and even transgressive intimacy ([3], [4]). Authors also use caress in more abstract ways, suggesting a subtle harmonizing influence in nature or society, as when the soft touch of the sun or evening air is described in calming, almost human-like terms ([5], [6]). Moreover, the word can act as a marker of both compassion and control in human relationships, whether it soothes a troubled spirit or underscores the power dynamics between characters ([7], [8], [9]).
- while it was true that a mother’s touch was most tender to her own child, yet no little hand stretched out to her went without its caress.
— from Baron Trump's Marvellous Underground Journey by Ingersoll Lockwood - It was the lightest touch, but it thrilled him like a caress.
— from The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton - The doctor had ceased his flogging to admit and caress the well-formed posterior of the charming boy.
— from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous - “Till to-morrow then!” said Emma in a last caress; and she watched him go.
— from Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert - A lovely night seemed to breathe on them a soft caress.
— from Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad - These passages of happy couples are a profound appeal to life and nature, and make a caress and light spring forth from everything.
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - Children bring their little offerings, and raise their rosy lips for a caress.
— from Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Written by Herself by Harriet A. Jacobs - But he shook himself free of it with an effort of reason and continued to caress her hand.
— from Dubliners by James Joyce - But, above all, he would like to caress her and look after her as his own child.”
— from Juliette Drouet's Love-Letters to Victor Hugo by Juliette Drouet and Louis Guimbaud
