Literary notes about heel (AI summary)
In literature, the term “heel” serves both as a concrete reference to a part of the foot or shoe and as a dynamic verb that connotes a sudden change or movement. It is often used to illustrate abrupt departure or decision, as when a character "turned on his heel" to leave a scene swiftly and decisively [1, 2, 3]. The word also enriches physical descriptions, whether highlighting the design of footwear or the vulnerability of a human figure, as in passages that detail the construction of a boot’s heel or evoke the mythic image of Achilles’ weakness [4, 5, 6]. Moreover, “heel” occasionally carries metaphorical weight, representing oppressive forces or a critical moment of change in a narrative [7, 8]. These varied applications underscore its versatility as both a literal and figurative device in literary texts.
- Then he turned upon his heel, and an instant later the outer door had banged behind him.
— from The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle - He waved his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the crowd.
— from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - He turned on his heel and began to pace the drawing-room.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - On each heel is a large round patch of sealskin with the hair on and pointing toward the toe (to prevent slipping).
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - A piece of ice: if thou doubt it, thou mayst slide from my shoulder to my heel with no greater a run but my head and my neck.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - Nathaniel’s coat, sir, was not fully made, And Gabriel’s pumps were all unpink’d i’ the heel; There was no link to colour Peter’s hat,
— from The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare - Not a few who fled from across the sea to avoid being crushed by his heel there have groaned under it here, scarcely profiting by the exchange.
— from How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York by Jacob A. Riis - Ground down under the iron heel of despotism, reduced to a condition of hopeless serfdom, I don't say that they might not develop redeeming virtues.
— from The Wit and Humor of America, Volume X (of X)
