Literary notes about husband (AI summary)
The term “husband” in literature is used with a wide range of connotations—from the intimate personal bond of matrimony to a marker of social roles and responsibilities. In some works, like Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina ([1], [2]), “husband” signifies the complex dynamics of family life and the sometimes strained emotional connection within marital relationships. In other texts, authors use it to underscore both the personal and public duties of a man, as seen in Shakespeare’s plays where the term hints at both domestic care and noble responsibility ([3], [4]). Meanwhile, historical and social treatises—from Jefferson’s reflections on domestic virtue ([5]) to Virgil’s poetic mention of the dwindled name of husband ([6], [7])—employ the word to emphasize cultural expectations and power relations. Additionally, in shorter narratives by authors like Guy de Maupassant and Charles Dickens ([8], [9], [10], [11]), “husband” becomes a versatile term that captures everything from tender domestic interactions to social commentary, illustrating its enduring literary richness.
- In spite of Stepan Arkadyevitch’s efforts to be an attentive father and husband, he never could keep in his mind that he had a wife and children.
— from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy - Haven’t I struggled to love him, to love my son when I could not love my husband?
— from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy - My dearest coz, I pray you, school yourself: but, for your husband, He is noble, wise, Judicious, and best knows The fits o' the season.
— from Macbeth by William Shakespeare - Let me give light, but let me not be light, For a light wife doth make a heavy husband, And never be Bassanio so for me: But God sort all!
— from The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare - she considers her Husband as her Steward, and looks upon Discretion and good House-Wifery, as little domestick Virtues, unbecoming a Woman of Quality.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - since to this the name of husband is dwindled down.
— from The Aeneid of Virgil by Virgil - The Queen, when she beheld her trembling lord, And hanging by his side a heavy sword, ‘What rage,’ she cried, ‘has seiz’d my husband’s mind?
— from The Aeneid by Virgil - She made an abrupt effort to disengage herself and the tips of her fingers touched her husband's nose.
— from Complete Original Short Stories of Guy De Maupassant by Guy de Maupassant - Husband and wife had come to the train, delighted to welcome him to their home.
— from Complete Original Short Stories of Guy De Maupassant by Guy de Maupassant - ‘“You shall not die, Mary, you shall not die;” said the husband, starting up.
— from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens - But is the tightness to bind Mrs Boffin to any and what conditions?' 'Bind Mrs Boffin?' interposed her husband.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens