Literary notes about digression (AI summary)
In literature, the term “digression” signifies a purposeful departure from the main thread of the narrative, allowing the author to explore ancillary ideas or offer historical, philosophical, or personal commentary. Authors introduce such deviations both formally and informally—as extended narratives that enrich the context, like a detailed reflection on a historical downfall [1] or a nuanced discussion of abstract concepts [2][3]—and as brief interludes that gently steer the reader away from the primary discussion, only to later return promptly to the central argument [4][5][6]. Some works even mark these departures explicitly with titles, indicating their self-conscious role as thoughtful detours in the overall structure [7][8].
- digression on the fall of Hiero of Syracuse.
— from The Histories of Polybius, Vol. 1 (of 2) by Polybius - Your impression that these concepts require further clarification is correct, but an attempt would lead to too great digression.
— from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud - Allow me to pass over the other trivial incidents of this ritual; they would teach us nothing new and cause too great digression from our purpose.
— from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud - And so much for this; pardon the digression, now I return.
— from In Praise of Folly by Desiderius Erasmus - After this long digression, with which the reader may not be very well pleased, it is time for me to return to my sweetheart.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - I think that the digression of my thoughts must have done me good, for when I got back to bed I found a lethargy creeping over me.
— from Dracula by Bram Stoker - A Digression concerning Newfoundland, and its Trade , 403 , 404 .
— from A General History of the Pyrates: by Daniel Defoe - Digression Northward at the College Avenue.
— from Toronto of Old by Henry Scadding
