Literary notes about courteous (AI summary)
In literature, the word "courteous" is often used to evoke a sense of refined civility or to highlight the gap between outward politeness and an inner disposition. Writers employ it to paint characters as genteel and well-mannered—as when a generous personality is described simply as "courteous and generous" [1]—or to suggest that courteous behavior may serve as a veneer masking more complex emotions, as in the ironic tone of a less-than-genuine politeness [2, 3]. It appears in both elevated and everyday contexts, from a solemn, noble courteousness in royal interactions [4, 5] to the gentle, reassuring courtesy found in personal exchanges [6, 7]. This versatility underscores how courteousness, in literature, functions as a marker of social decorum, enhancing character portrayal and contributing subtly to thematic nuances.
- His name was Pedro de Mendez; he was a very courteous and generous person.
— from Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World by Jonathan Swift - ‘Give that book to me,’ said Arthur, in no very courteous tone.
— from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë - He was rather courteous than open, as Frenchmen know how to be courteous, especially to a foreigner.
— from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - When he arrived, the king gave him 246 a courteous answer to his inquiries, and retained him after pledging his fidelity and friendship.
— from The Anabasis of Alexander by Arrian - The monarch, in return, thanked us for our visit, and we took leave of each other in the most courteous manner imaginable.
— from The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo, Vol 1 (of 2) by Bernal Díaz del Castillo - " A really irresistible man—courteous, considerate, delightfully free from pride—a gentleman, every inch of him.
— from The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins - It would only be courteous of him to make a farewell call at Ingleside where he had often been a guest.
— from Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery
