Literary notes about rough (AI summary)
Writers deploy "rough" in literature as a multifaceted term that evokes both physical texture and an emotional or situational harshness. In descriptions of nature, it conveys untamed elements—as seen in stormy seas and treacherous terrains [1, 2, 3], and even in the detailing of objects like a rough coat [4] or a rough sketch [5]. The word extends into character portrayal, suggesting both a coarse, unpolished exterior and a gruff temperament, whether commenting on a man's demeanor [6, 7] or the scratchy quality of language that disrupts decorum [8, 9]. This versatility enables authors to create vivid imagery and nuanced characterization, making "rough" a small word with powerful implications across a range of literary contexts [10, 11, 12].
- At day-break Costa came and told me that the sea being rough and a contrary wind blowing, the felucca would be in danger of perishing.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - [432] A tract of rough country was now reached, difficult to clear and difficult to traverse with a vehicle.
— from Toronto of Old by Henry Scadding - But the walk from Les Roches to Les Metz was long: not much under two miles, by rough roads.
— from Juliette Drouet's Love-Letters to Victor Hugo by Juliette Drouet and Louis Guimbaud - He wore a large rough coat, buttoned over, and it might be in any one of half a dozen pockets.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - Let this then be taken for a rough sketch of the Chief Good: since it is probably the right way to give first the outline, and fill it in afterwards.
— from The Ethics of Aristotle by Aristotle - He isn’t a hustler, but a rough man would never have suited Tony.
— from My Ántonia by Willa Cather - He’ll cut up so rough, Nickleby, at our talking together without him.
— from Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens - And as they talked, the Queen got frightened at Hamlet's rough, strange words, and cried for help, and Polonius behind the curtain cried out too.
— from Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare by E. Nesbit and William Shakespeare - It is scarcely necessary to say that one whose tactless remarks ride rough-shod over the feelings of others, is not welcomed by many.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - ‘Rough people—paths never made for little feet like yours—a dismal blighted way—is there no turning back, my child?’
— from The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens - ‘Well!’ said Traddles, ‘we are prepared to rough it, as I said just now, and we did improvise a bed last week, upon the floor here.
— from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens - Some rough vessels of lava and wood stood about the floor, and one on a rough stool.
— from The island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells
