Literary notes about pomposity (AI summary)
The word "pomposity" has been used in literature to capture a sense of exaggerated self-importance or affected grandeur. In Arthur Conan Doyle’s work [1], it is depicted with a humorous tone, as a character's overly formal manner prompts a comical bow. Conversely, Fyodor Dostoyevsky [2] employs the term to underscore irritation with overly ornate language, suggesting that excessive formality can be both pretentious and off-putting. Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein further explore pomposity in the context of public speaking, where it is associated with bombast and over-enthusiasm; one example [3] proposes a satirical critique of such behavior in a speech while another [4] suggests that even esteemed speakers might struggle to eliminate a touch of pomp. Collectively, these instances illustrate a literary consensus that pomposity, while sometimes humorous, is generally viewed as a detriment to clear and sincere communication.