Literary notes about themselves (AI summary)
In these varied works, authors frequently use “themselves” to highlight an individual or group’s own agency or involvement in an action. For instance, in Clark and Lewis’s journals, people “presented themselves” ([1]) or “amused themselves” ([2]), underscoring their self-directed behavior. Likewise, Carlyle’s characters govern “themselves” ([3]), suggesting self-reliance in political matters. Dickens also plays on self-perception as in “[t]hey never called themselves rich” ([4]). Such usage often stresses a subject’s direct, reflexive relationship to their actions or identity, whether it be for enjoyment, self-governance, or self-assessment.
- The great chief Yel-lep-pit two other chiefs, and a Chief of Band below presented themselves to us verry early this morning.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - the fiddle was played and the men amused themselves with danceing about an hour.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - They do the 'police des l'atelier' too, the guidance and governance, themselves; with that ready will of theirs, with that extemporaneous adroitness.
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - They never called themselves rich neither.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
