Literary notes about affected (AI summary)
In literature, the term "affected" is used in a variety of ways, often conveying both genuine and feigned emotional states as well as physical responses. Sometimes it highlights the deep impression a scene has on a character—as when a person is visibly moved by tragedy ([1], [2])—and at other times it signals an artificial or performative manner, as seen when someone adopts an affected tone or attitude ([3], [4], [5]). Beyond the realm of human emotions, the word can also denote tangible physical changes or influences, whether in describing a bodily reaction ([6], [7], [8]) or the alteration of circumstances in a natural setting ([9], [10], [11]). This multifaceted use underscores the word’s ability to bridge internal sensation and external manifestation across different genres and contexts.
- He is affected by the sight, or the bare supposition, of a creature in pain, to a degree which I have never witnessed out of womankind.
— from The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 2 by Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb - I was so much affected by this politeness, and chagrined at the whole affair, that I could scarce refrain from tears.
— from Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World by Fanny Burney - " Miss Bart stared in affected reproval.
— from The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton - The bishop affected to speak in a loud voice, before every one, of their previous interview.
— from Twenty years after by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - “A poor compliment to apply to me last of all,” said Sempronius, in affected anger.
— from Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare by E. Nesbit and William Shakespeare - the Scotch term “colded” for “affected with a cold”; Germ. erkältet .
— from Galen: On the Natural Faculties by Galen - You cannot think of swallowing, without the muscles used in that process being affected.
— from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein - Conversely when the brain is primarily affected; the circulation of the skin is so in a secondary manner.
— from The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals by Charles Darwin - A sense of near, incomprehensible danger affected the common people.
— from Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad - When all comes to all, thou art a Limousin, and thou wilt here by thy affected speech counterfeit the Parisians.
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - The change from the Belgravian square to the narrow street in Soho affected her legs adversely.
— from The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale by Joseph Conrad
