Literary notes about still (AI summary)
The word “still” functions in literature as a marker of continuity and persistence, often highlighting an unchanging state amid dynamic circumstances. In philosophical discourse [1], it questions whether old beliefs remain relevant, while in dramatic narratives [2] and [3] it signals both physical immobility and the deliberate pause before decisive action. It also captures the quiet atmosphere of a scene, as seen in [4] and [5], evoking moments where time seems to suspend itself. Moreover, “still” frequently serves to intensify contrasts or reinforce lasting emotional conditions—whether it underscores habitual actions in [6] and [7] or imbues a sense of lingering tension and uncertainty found in [8] and [9]. This versatility allows authors to subtly weave themes of persistence, lingering presence, and resistance to change throughout their works.
- And now do we still hold to our former assertion, that rhythms and music in general are imitations of good and evil characters in men?
— from Laws by Plato - But being charg'd, we will be still by land, Which, as I take't, we shall; for his best force Is forth to man his galleys.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - Go, live still; Be Alcibiades your plague, you his, And last so long enough!
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - By the moonlight, Lady Dedlock can be seen in profile, perfectly still.
— from Bleak House by Charles Dickens - The attic had been very still all the day after Sara had left it in the early morning.
— from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett - She embraces me, kisses me and lisps endearments which I heard her lisp when she was still a baby.
— from The Bet, and other stories by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - I can still read pretty well; I can still hold the attention of my audience for two hours.
— from The Bet, and other stories by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - if he whom you mourn still lived, still would he be the object, again would he become the prey, of your accursed vengeance.
— from Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley - “Is it possible, is it possible,” flashed through his mind, “that he is still lying?
— from Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky