Literary notes about avail (AI summary)
In literature, “avail” is often employed to reflect on the efficacy—or lack thereof—of actions and resources. Authors use the term to question whether efforts, be they earnest or desperate, yield any meaningful result, as seen when actions are declared “of no avail” ([1], [2], [3], [4]). Conversely, it also surfaces in contexts where characters are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities, as when one is advised to “avail himself” of a chance to improve circumstances ([5], [6], [7], [8]). In addition, authors pose rhetorical inquiries that invoke the term, challenging the reader to ponder the true worth or impact of various pursuits, whether in matters of wisdom, repentance, or even the mundane ([9], [10], [11]). This versatile usage underscores “avail” as not only a measure of utility but also a poetic device for exploring the limits of human endeavor.
- [ 157 ] The appeal to Otis to permit commencement of operations was without avail.
— from The American Occupation of the Philippines 1898-1912 by James H. Blount - She found him sleeping heavily, and all her efforts to awaken him were of no avail.
— from Grimms' Fairy Tales by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm - But it would not have been of much avail, even with the zealous co-operation of the inhabitants, if the wind had not suddenly dropped towards morning.
— from The possessed : by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - But all was of no avail—matters kept going as awry as a badly-bent hoop.
— from Dead Souls by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol - But he did not avail himself of either opportunity.
— from Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete by Ulysses S. Grant - But avail yourself of this opportunity when master is in good cheer to make haste and get in!"
— from Hung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book I by Xueqin Cao - I replied directly that I felt the generosity of his offer, and if I was in need of funds I would avail myself of it.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - "I had two words to say to you, my dear sir; and if you have no objection I will avail myself of the present opportunity.
— from The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins - And I said in my heart: If the death of the fool and mine shall be one, what doth it avail me, that I have applied myself more to the study of wisdom?
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - He began to weep bitterly, and lamented, "What does the lucky egg avail me, when no happiness is permitted me in this world?
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - But what avail all these accomplishments, in Vanity Fair, to girls who are short, poor, plain, and have a bad complexion?
— from Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
