Literary notes about dissuade (AI summary)
In literature, "dissuade" functions as a nuanced means of expressing a character's attempt to steer another away from a course of action, often highlighting internal struggle or external conflict. Its usage spans from humorous banter, as seen when a character questions another’s warning in a light-hearted tone [1], to more weighty moral exhortations where youthful ambition or rash decisions must be tempered [2]. Historical narratives and epic tales also employ the term to underscore the gravity of strategic or personal decisions, with figures trying in vain to prevent disastrous outcomes [3, 4, 5]. The term thereby enriches character interactions and underscores moments of tension and commitment in various literary contexts [6, 7].
- And do you know why he tried to dissuade me?
— from Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse - In pity of the challenger's youth I would fain dissuade him, but he will not be entreated.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - With these arguments he tried to dissuade Tiberius from his design.
— from The Histories of Polybius, Vol. 1 (of 2) by Polybius - O child, let not the texts of the Veda, nor the opinions of men dissuade thy mind from the desire of dying at Prayaga.
— from The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 - “Vidura said,—‘I know that gambling is the root of misery, and I strove to dissuade the king from it.
— from The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 - I shall speak to my sisters and try to dissuade them , and that is all I can do.”
— from Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - My guardian did not seek to dissuade me, and I went.
— from Bleak House by Charles Dickens
