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Literary notes about impudent (AI summary)

The word "impudent" has long been employed to evoke a sense of brazen audacity and a deliberate disregard for social conventions. In literature, it is used both to capture a mischievous charm and to critique unseemly conduct. Authors use it to describe characters whose cheeky demeanors are endearing, as when a character wears an impudent smile that suggests playful irreverence [1], or whose bold retorts and behavior border on insolence [2, 3]. At times it also conveys a critical edge, characterizing actions as disrespectful or presumptuous—whether it is deemed impudent to correct an elder [4], or when it marks a person as disgracefully forward [5, 6]. In this way, "impudent" functions as a versatile adjective, reflecting both the light-hearted mischief of youth and the scathing critique of social or moral transgression [7, 8].
  1. And Glad-eyes, a red bow in her hair instead of a cap, and white shoes, came running with an impudent smile.
    — from The Garden Party, and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield
  2. "What are you laughing at, you bold, impudent child?"
    — from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  3. He was impudent, Alyosha,” Ivan said, with a shudder of offense.
    — from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  4. He was an elderly man now, and it would be futile and impudent to correct him.
    — from Howards End by E. M. Forster
  5. “You are an impudent liar,” I said to him, “and if we were out of this room I would give you a kick to teach you to speak respectfully.”
    — from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova
  6. We discussed the third step, which would put an apex to the scheme and cover the impudent woman with shame.
    — from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova
  7. But that thy face is visard-like, unchanging, Made impudent with use of evil deeds, I would assay, proud queen, to make thee blush.
    — from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
  8. JAMES MACPHERSON,—I received your foolish and impudent letter.
    — from Boswell's Life of Johnson by James Boswell

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