Literary notes about puzzled (AI summary)
In literature, "puzzled" is a versatile descriptor that serves to convey a character’s internal confusion and hesitation when faced with unexpected or enigmatic situations. It can describe a state of momentary surprise or deep contemplation, as seen when a character momentarily stops in thought before resuming reflection [1] or when uncertainty arises from ambiguous social interactions [2]. The word can also capture a more profound, lingering perplexity—whether it’s puzzlement over personal dilemmas and fate [3], [4] or the bewilderment provoked by conflicting human emotions and societal structures [5], [6]. Across diverse genres and periods, its usage enriches narratives by revealing subtle facets of character and highlighting the often precarious balance between understanding and mystery [7], [8].
- Puzzled, I was about to resume my meditations, when the sound came again.
— from Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse - "Who was that?" asked Janetta, a little puzzled by his tone.
— from A True Friend: A Novel by Adeline Sergeant - Often in old age he puzzled over the question whether, on the doctrine of chances, he was at liberty to accept himself or his world as an accident.
— from The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams - The more he pondered, the more was he puzzled.
— from Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy - But if I was puzzled and disconcerted, I was not unimpressed.
— from The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham - I was puzzled by the contradictions that I saw in her behaviour.
— from The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham - He said this as though to himself, but said it aloud, and looked for some time at his sister, as though puzzled.
— from Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - “Do you mean me?” muttered Maximov, puzzled.
— from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
