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Literary notes about deadpan (AI summary)

In literature, "deadpan" is used to convey a manner of delivery or expression that is deliberately devoid of overt reaction or emotion, often to enhance humor or create tension. Characters described as deadpan may speak in a flat, uninflected tone that belies the true intent of their words, as seen when a character simply announces, "It's useless," with little change in expression [1], or when his wide brown eyes betray no response [2]. Equally, an unwavering, blank-eyed stare that renders a situation both ominous and absurd is noted in another work [3], while another character’s delivery of puns in a perfectly unenthusiastic style refreshes a recognized comedic timing [4]. This technique underscores how a consistently impassive demeanor—whether in conversation, as a part of a character study, or while engaging in casual dialogue—is employed to inject subtle humor, irony, or tension into the narrative [5, 6].
  1. Raynor One walked to the window and said in his deadpan voice, "It's useless.
    — from The Colors of Space by Marion Zimmer Bradley
  2. He said it deadpan, and his wide brown eyes never once batted.
    — from The Moons of Mars by Dean Evans
  3. She continued to stare, deadpan and blank-eyed, with no answering flicker of a smile.
    — from The Stars, My Brothers by Edmond Hamilton
  4. Perhaps the most Groucho-like aspect of Stallman's personality, however, is the deadpan manner in which the puns are delivered.
    — from Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman's Crusade for Free Software by Sam Williams
  5. This term is generally used in deadpan sarcasm, as its impact is greatest when the person speaking looks completely serious.
    — from The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992
  6. He said it so deadpan, I couldn't tell if he was kidding me.
    — from A Place so Foreign by Cory Doctorow

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