Literary notes about fey (AI summary)
The term “fey” is depicted in literature with a richly varied semantic range. On one hand, it often denotes a sense of doom or being death-doomed, as when a character’s fate is forewarned and inexorable, hinting at an unavoidable, tragic destiny [1, 2]. On the other hand, “fey” is also used to describe an otherworldly quality or a peculiar, ethereal appearance—a kind of magical, lightheaded allure that separates the character from ordinary reality [3, 4]. Moreover, its use in regional dialects and even in place names lends the word an air of historical and cultural depth, reinforcing both its ominous and enchanting connotations [5, 6].
- To see one's own fylgja was unlucky, and often a sign that a man was "fey," or death-doomed.
— from The story of Burnt Njal: From the Icelandic of the Njals Saga - [I] “Fey,” a Scottish word, expressive of that unaccountable and violent mirth which is supposed frequently to portend sudden death.—
— from Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 02 - The queer “fey” moony sensation was still with her; so that she felt small and light, as if she could have floated through a ring.
— from Saint's Progress by John Galsworthy - [She has that peculiar fey look on her face now]
— from The Fugitive: A Play in Four Acts by John Galsworthy - IN 1915 Eight hundred yards from the inn, to the right of D. 15, the Fey-en-Haye road debouches.
— from The Americans in the Great War; v. 2. The Battle of Saint Mihiel (St. Mihiel, Pont-à-Mousson, Metz) - 3. Relieved on November 18, it returned to Lorraine at Fey en Haye.
— from Histories of two hundred and fifty-one divisions of the German army which participated in the war (1914-1918) by United States. War Department. General Staff
