Literary notes about dance (AI summary)
The word “dance” is employed in literature not only to denote physical movement but also as a rich metaphor for social interaction, inner emotion, and cultural tradition. It can capture the grace and elegance of an intimate social ritual, as when a character is whisked away to partake in refined movements ([1], [2]), or evoke the raw, even chaotic energy of battle and transformation ([3], [4]). In other contexts it serves as a metaphor for life’s unpredictable rhythm and the interplay of fate and desire, suggesting both exuberance and irony ([5], [6]). Thus, across varied texts it underscores moments of liberation, social commentary, or even ritualistic ceremony, enriching narratives with its multifaceted resonance ([7], [8]).
- I was soon after taken out to dance, and, as I fancied, by a Woman of the first Quality, for she was very tall, and moved gracefully.
— from The Spectator, Volume 1 by Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele - She apologised and said she could stay only half an hour for the lesson, as she was going straight from the lesson to a dance.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - Warrior after warrior enlisted in the dance, until all of any renown and authority were numbered in its mazes.
— from The Last of the Mohicans; A narrative of 1757 by James Fenimore Cooper - I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock, Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry, Till honour be bought up, and no sword worn But one to dance with.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - Our antique pride from dreams Starts up, and beams Its conquering glance,— To make our sad hearts dance, And wake in woods hushed
— from Poems by Victor Hugo - Oh, quite all right—they know life and are so adorably tired looking (shakes her head)—but they will dance.
— from This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald - So he arose, and, beginning with the first lamp, lighted all the eighty; and the saloon seemed to dance.
— from The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I. - At night, the Tylwyth Teg would entice travellers to join their dance and then play all sorts of tricks on them.’
— from The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries by W. Y. Evans-Wentz
