Literary notes about riddance (AI summary)
The term "riddance" consistently appears as a forceful expression of relief or dismissal in literature, used to highlight the speaker's desire to remove or part with something or someone negatively impactful. Authors range from Charles Dickens, who casually employs it to signal the ease of separation [1], to Samuel Richardson’s more emphatic "thorough riddance" that underscores a complete and definitive severance [2]. This sentiment is echoed in the incisive, blunt turns of phrase found in Stephen Crane's work [3][4] and further echoed in the pithy exclamations of authors like Bernard Shaw and Robert W. Chambers [5][6]. In each case, "riddance" transforms into a succinct declaration of liberation, whether it be from burdens, undesirable companions, or complex social entanglements, underlining its versatility and enduring appeal in literary expression [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].
- “Compeyson took it easy as a good riddance for both sides.
— from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - A thorough riddance of me, I see!—Bag and baggage!
— from Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson - hell wid him, damn yeh, an' a good riddance.
— from Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane - an' good riddance.
— from Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane - And a good riddance too.
— from Man and Superman: A Comedy and a Philosophy by Bernard Shaw - "Good riddance!"
— from The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers - A good riddance!
— from Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery - Likely it won't trouble any one long and good riddance, sez I." Rilla drew the blanket down a little farther.
— from Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery - On the other hand, Poyser, you might let Thurle have the Lower and Upper Ridges, which really, with our wet seasons, would be a good riddance for you.
— from Adam Bede by George Eliot - a good riddance, for my part, I say, of her!
— from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read by John Bunyan - “It would be a good riddance!
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - Good riddance!
— from Complete Original Short Stories of Guy De Maupassant by Guy de Maupassant - "What a good riddance," said the neighbors' houses.
— from Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by H. C. Andersen - “We flew him to Albertsville—and good riddance.
— from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone - a good riddance too,” answered he; “I can bear your insolence no longer, an you come to that.
— from History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding