Literary notes about gloat (AI summary)
In literature, the term "gloat" is often used to convey a sense of smug, self-satisfied delight that accompanies another’s misfortune or even one’s own calculated victory. Authors employ it to illustrate complex emotional dynamics—ranging from the quiet, internal satisfaction of overcoming obstacles to the overt, sometimes callous, revelry in another’s suffering. At times, characters are depicted as eagerly anticipating the opportunity to gloat over their eventual successes ([1], [2]), while in other contexts the word underscores the cruelty of characters who relish the misery of others or exploit high drama, as when they gloat over the visible effects of verbal sparring or physical defeat ([3], [4]). This multifaceted usage enriches narrative tension and highlights themes of revenge, pride, and the darker corners of human satisfaction ([5], [6]).