Literary notes about ruefully (AI summary)
The term "ruefully" in literature often signals a blend of regret, self-mockery, and resigned humor. It is employed to express a character’s acknowledgment of an unfortunate situation or misstep, as when an informer wipes his brow with a hint of sorrow while facing his dismal fate [1]. In dialogue, the term adds a layer of irony, allowing speakers to admit errors or mishaps with a self-deprecating twist—as seen when characters remark on plans gone awry or shortcomings in their appearance [2], [3], [4]. Whether indicating a physical gesture of weariness or serving as a verbal concession to life’s unpredictable misfortunes, "ruefully" enriches character interactions by conveying an honest, if bittersweet, self-awareness in moments that could otherwise be marked solely by despair or indignation.
- The informer wiped his brow ruefully as he said it, sitting in his boat and always staring disconsolate.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - “But how about our investigation in London?” asked Phelps, ruefully.
— from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ruefully.
— from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - “I know I’m too much inclined that, way” agreed Anne ruefully.
— from Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery
