Literary notes about dandy (AI summary)
The term "dandy" in literature often serves as a multifaceted label that can both commend and satirize its subject. Authors use it to depict a man of meticulous style and refined, sometimes ostentatious, dress—capturing both grace and a hint of affected vanity, as seen in the description of someone “dressed like a dandy” [1] or the “correct-featured little dandy” [2]. In some narratives, the word is employed with a touch of irony or criticism to contrast genuine character with superficial pretense, such as when a character being anything but a dandy is highlighted [3]. Meanwhile, in other contexts, "dandy" extends beyond mere appearance to embody qualities of charm and leadership, even becoming a nom de guerre for bold figures [4]. This versatility in meaning has allowed the term to endure as a rich, culturally loaded descriptor within the literary canon.