Literary notes about graceless (AI summary)
The term “graceless” in literature has been used with striking versatility, often serving as an insult, a descriptor of moral or physical deficiency, or even as a character’s proper name. In some works it underscores a lack of physical elegance or refinement—as seen when characters are scathingly labeled for their clumsiness or uncouth behavior ([1], [2], [3])—while in others it emphasizes a moral void or unsophisticated nature ([4], [5], [6]). Intriguingly, authors sometimes play with irony and transformation; for example, in Bunyan’s works a character initially known as Graceless eventually assumes a new identity reflecting redeemed qualities ([7], [8], [9]). Thus, “graceless” oscillates between literal and figurative interpretations, demonstrating the flexible and evocative power of language across diverse literary landscapes ([10], [11]).
- Solemnly swear to me that he's not a fast man; that it is all lies they say about him!" "But, miss, how can I say he is not if—" "You graceless girl!
— from Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy - How graceless, inconvenient, and in the way of conversation!
— from The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness by Cecil B. Hartley - —You had better get your stick and go out to the others, Stephen said as he followed towards the door the boy’s graceless form.
— from Ulysses by James Joyce - 'A shattered graceless fellow, stretched at his length here, and next to nothing for you when you are a young widow.'
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - A plague rot thee, thou old fool and doting sot, how graceless and unpleasant thou art!
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - It’s yon flaysome, graceless quean, that’s witched our lad, wi’ her bold een and her forrard ways—till—Nay!
— from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë - My name is now Christian, but my name at the first was Graceless; I came of the race of Japheth, whom God will persuade to dwell in the tents of Shem.
— from The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come by John Bunyan - My name is now Christian, but my name at the first was Graceless.
— from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read by John Bunyan - yes; he dwelt in Graceless, [187] a town about two miles off of Honesty, and he dwelt next door to one Turnback.
— from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read by John Bunyan - Now Rhun was the most graceless man in the world, and there was neither wife nor maiden with whom he had held converse, but was evil spoken of.
— from The Mabinogion - I was bound to show some feeling, if I would not be a graceless shrew.
— from Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy