Literary notes about attention (AI summary)
In literature, the word “attention” is used in a variety of ways—sometimes to underscore the mental engagement of a character with a particular object or idea, and at other times to signal the act of directing focus or respect. Authors employ it to describe both the deliberate act of concentrating, as when one “pays attention” to crucial details or warnings [1, 2], and as an element of characterization, reflecting the inner discipline or emotional state of individuals [3, 4]. It also serves as a narrative device, drawing the reader’s focus to significant facts or events—whether to note the meticulous study of human nature [5] or to direct someone’s gaze in a moment of urgency or decorum [6, 7]. Overall, the versatility of “attention” in literature mirrors its importance in how we perceive and interpret the world, underscoring moments of both psychological depth and social interaction [8, 9].
- But when we fix our eyes on anything we pay attention to that only and to nothing else.
— from Criminal Psychology: A Manual for Judges, Practitioners, and Students by Hans Gross - You should always pay attention to your instincts.” “Well then,” I blurted out, “it’s absurd—but I suspect Miss Howard of not telling all she knows!”
— from The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie - Discipline or development of power of continuous attention is its fruit.
— from Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education by John Dewey - For though elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to every body.
— from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Whatever is important engages our attention, fixes our thought, and is contemplated with satisfaction.
— from A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume - At once I called Pompey’s attention to the subject, and he—he agreed with me.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe - Neither Asiatics nor Africans abound in Paris; but, without denying the inference, I will now merely call your attention to three points.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe - I have considered the moment of quality first, because the aesthetical judgement upon the beautiful first pays attention to it.
— from Kant's Critique of Judgement by Immanuel Kant - indication &c. (calling attention to) 457.
— from Roget's Thesaurus by Peter Mark Roget
