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Literary notes about gay (AI summary)

The word “gay” in literary works frequently conveys notions of brightness, cheerfulness, and decorative flair. Its usage ranges from describing a character’s attire or demeanor—as when a lady is noted to be “dressed right gay[1] or a character remains “as brisk and gay as before” [2]—to setting an entire scene alight with vibrant décor, evident in descriptions of buildings adorned with banners and flowers [3] or festive pennons fluttering above rooftops [4]. At times, the word even shifts to accentuate a playful or ironic contrast within a narrative, hinting at both the buoyant and nuanced aspects of human behavior [5]. This multifaceted employment of “gay” enriches the text, infusing settings and personas with an unmistakable spirit of liveliness and visual splendor.
  1. “Why, the beautifullest lady you ever see, dressed right gay and ga'.
    — from English Fairy Tales
  2. When the others go to breakfast, I go to sleep; and when I rise, I am as brisk and gay as before.
    — from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne
  3. It was a fine day and the building was gay with decorations of banners, lanterns and flowers.
    — from Rizal's own story of his life by José Rizal
  4. High o'er the roofs gay pennons played; Tabour and drum loud music made; Fresh water cooled the royal road, And flowers in bright profusion glowed.
    — from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki
  5. On the contrary, he was always almost gay.
    — from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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