Literary notes about unconcern (AI summary)
In literature, the term unconcern is often employed to convey a range of attitudes from cool detachment to feigned nonchalance. Authors use it to illustrate how characters might mask deeper emotions or responsibilities behind a veneer of indifference—as seen in Hardy’s portrayal of a character preoccupied with trivial details despite underlying tensions [1], or in Montgomery’s depiction of Josie’s airy disregard for minor obstacles [2]. At times, unconcern signals a deliberate performance of insouciance in social contexts, whether to soften an otherwise harsh reality or to underscore the character’s emotional isolation, as in Dostoyevsky’s Kirillov [3] and the pragmatic detachment found in Jane Eyre’s world [4]. This multifaceted use enriches narrative tone and deepens character portrayal by juxtaposing casual attitudes with the weight of more serious circumstances.