Literary notes about umbrage (AI summary)
In literature, "umbrage" functions both as an emotional marker and as a rich visual metaphor. Authors often employ the term to capture a character's feeling of offense or resentment—illustrated when a figure “took umbrage” at a remark or slight, as seen with characters in works by Joyce ([1]) and Dickens ([2]), leading to actions that shape relationships or plot twists ([3], [4]). Simultaneously, the word is used to evoke atmospheric imagery—such as the deep, dark cover of trees or the metaphorical shadow of looming consequence ([5], [6])—thus imbuing the narrative with a palpable mood. This duality highlights how "umbrage" can underscore both the intricacies of personal pride and the evocative setting of a scene.
- —He took umbrage at something or other, that muchinjured but on the whole eventempered person declared, I let slip.
— from Ulysses by James Joyce - Mr. Jack Maldon shook hands with me; but not very warmly, I believed; and with an air of languid patronage, at which I secretly took great umbrage.
— from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens - The Princess took violent umbrage at the Prince's proceeding and left the Palace on a long visit to her relations.
— from Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan by Murasaki Shikibu - At last, on some trifling advantage, he gave me cause of umbrage, and our intimacy ceased.
— from The Persian Literature, Comprising The Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan, Volume 2 by Sadi - In a certain perilous place, the road ran betwixt walls of rock, and under the umbrage of overhanging trees.
— from Love Among the Ruins by Warwick Deeping - For they stretch themselves all up, with their graceful crests, o'ercanopied by the umbrage draperied as from a throne.
— from Recreations of Christopher North, Volume 2 by John Wilson
