Literary notes about lofty (AI summary)
The word “lofty” has long been a versatile descriptor in literature, used to evoke both physical elevation and abstract ideals. Authors employ it to depict grand natural or man-made structures—such as Poe’s depiction of a mountain’s grandeur ([1], [2]), the towering fortifications of Troy in Homer’s epic ([3], [4]), or the imposing towers in fairy tales ([5], [6])—thereby conjuring a palpable sense of awe and scale. At the same time, “lofty” is frequently used metaphorically to suggest high aspirations, noble ideals, or even haughty attitudes, as in the elevated ambitions of characters found in works by Dostoyevsky and Shelley ([7], [8]) or in the portrayal of a character’s high-mindedness in Twain’s narratives ([9], [10]). Thus, whether describing the sublime beauty of the natural world or the exalted qualities of human spirit and conduct, “lofty” serves as a potent literary tool that enriches both visual imagery and moral discourse.
- The “flight” is made on an eagle’s back, from Hungry Hill, a lofty mountain at the end of Bantry Bay.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 1 by Edgar Allan Poe - A tableland at this height extends back nearly to the centre of the island, and from this tableland arises a lofty cone like that of Teneriffe.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe - Declare, e'en now 'tis given him to destroy The lofty towers of wide-extended Troy.
— from The Iliad by Homer - " Apollo thus from Ilion's lofty towers, Array'd in terrors, roused the Trojan powers: While war's fierce goddess fires the Grecian foe, [pg 081]
— from The Iliad by Homer - The grass grows rank among the broad flagstones, and in the morning twilight thousands of tame pigeons flutter around the solitary lofty tower.
— from Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by H. C. Andersen - " The houses stood there, so lofty, so close!
— from Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by H. C. Andersen - From my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty ambition; but how am I sunk!
— from Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley - He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it.
— from As a man thinketh by James Allen - There’s a lofty idea in the open road too!
— from The possessed : by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - So I was obliged to appoint somebody whose rank and lofty position under the government would protect him.
— from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
