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Literary notes about questioning (AI summary)

In literature, “questioning” is a multifaceted term that enriches character interactions and deepens thematic explorations. Authors often use it to depict both literal and figurative inquiries—for instance, a character’s steady, assessing glance can be described as “questioning,” as seen when a law student receives a malignant look ([1]) or when an individual’s eyes speak volumes of wonder and doubt ([2], [3]). Beyond physical gestures, “questioning” also encapsulates the internal dialogue of uncertainty and introspection, where characters or narrators examine their own beliefs and circumstances ([4], [5], [6]). Moreover, the term frequently marks moments of active interrogation within narrative settings, whether in legal proceedings or conversational exchanges, thereby highlighting its wide-ranging utility as both a descriptive and thematic device ([7], [8], [9]).
  1. “Monsieur is taking Collin’s part” she said, with a questioning, malignant glance at the law student; “it is not difficult to guess why.”
    — from Father Goriot by Honoré de Balzac
  2. Her eyes rested on him for a moment, questioning, as she thought of the meaning of his speech.
    — from The Rainbow by D. H. Lawrence
  3. He shot a questioning glance at each of us, placed his shiny top hat upon the sideboard, and with a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair.
    — from Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
  4. Then Rainbow Pete said he was not so certain of her, on questioning himself.
    — from The Best Short Stories of 1917, and the Yearbook of the American Short Story
  5. All questioning, wonder, emotion of curiosity, must be referred to cerebral causes of some such form as this.
    — from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James
  6. Thus there are a hundred circumstances to induce perplexity in the mind, a questioning as to the cause of this excitation.
    — from Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
  7. The Professor lost no time in his questioning; her answer came with equal quickness:— “All is dark.
    — from Dracula by Bram Stoker
  8. Sue writhed under the hard and direct questioning, and her tender little mouth began to quiver.
    — from Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
  9. While he was questioning her, word was brought that Jerome demanded to speak with him.
    — from The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

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