disappointment essay summary

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Emotion: Disappointment

By The ProWritingAid Team

When you want to write the emotion disappointment, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid show; don't tell and immerse your readers in your story.

Disappointment is an emotion that arises when someone's expectations or hopes are not met or fulfilled. It is a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction that results from a situation or outcome that falls short of what was anticipated. Disappointment can be triggered by a range of circumstances, from minor letdowns to major setbacks or failures. It is a natural and common emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives.

Different Types of Disappointment

Situations associated with disappointment, physical reactions to disappointment, thoughts associated with disappointment, atmosphere of disappointment, verbs associated with disappointment, emotions before disappointment, emotions after disappointment, telling disappointment examples to avoid, practical examples of showing disappointment, exercises for showing disappointment.

Here are some different types of disappointment:

• Personal disappointment: When a character is disappointed in themselves for failing to meet their own expectations or goals.
• Professional disappointment: When a character experiences disappointment related to their job or career, such as not getting a promotion or failing to win a big account.
• Romantic disappointment: When a character is disappointed in a relationship, whether it's a breakup or unrequited love.
• Family disappointment: When a character is disappointed by a family member's actions or behavior.
• Societal disappointment: When a character is disappointed by the state of the world or society they live in, such as feeling let down by political leaders or social injustices.

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of disappointment:

• Failing to achieve a goal or objective
• Being let down by someone they trusted
• Losing a competition or contest
• Receiving negative feedback or criticism
• Discovering that something they believed in or valued was not true
• Realizing that they made a mistake or wrong decision
• Experiencing unfulfilled expectations or hopes
• Being rejected or turned down

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing disappointment might have:

• Drooping or slumping posture
• Sighing or heavy breathing
• A lack of eye contact or avoiding eye contact altogether
• A frown, furrowed eyebrows, or a pout
• A slow or hesitant movement
• A lack of energy or enthusiasm
• A reluctance to engage in activities they used to enjoy
• A quiet or subdued voice
• A lack of appetite or overeating

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing disappointment might have:

• I thought it would be different
• I had such high hopes
• Why did I even bother?
• I'm not good enough
• I should have known better
• This is a letdown
• What a waste of time
• I feel like giving up
• Maybe it's my fault
• I'm so frustrated
• I feel like crying

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of disappointment in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use descriptive language to paint a picture of a bleak or dreary setting. For example, describing a cloudy sky or a rundown building.
• Incorporate sounds and smells that evoke a sense of disappointment. For instance, the sound of rain or the smell of stale air.
• Use weather to reflect the character's emotions. A stormy day can symbolize the turmoil inside a character who is feeling disappointed.
• Set the scene in a place that has lost its former glory. For instance, a once-grand mansion that is now falling apart can convey a sense of disappointment.
• Use contrast to highlight the character's disappointment. For example, describing a beautiful sunset while the character is feeling let down can emphasize their emotions.
• Incorporate details that convey a sense of loss or missed opportunities. For instance, a playground that is empty and abandoned can represent unfulfilled hopes and dreams.
• Use lighting to create a somber or melancholy atmosphere. For example, dim lighting can create a sense of disappointment in a character who is struggling to find their way.

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of disappointment:

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences disappointment:

• Anticipation
• Hopefulness

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences disappointment:

• Frustration
• Hopelessness
• Discouragement
• Disillusionment

Here are some examples of telling the emotion disappointment in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She felt disappointed when she didn't get the job.
• He was disappointed that his favorite team lost the championship.
• She was disappointed in her friend's behavior.
• He couldn't hide his disappointment when he opened the gift.
• She tried to mask her disappointment with a forced smile.
• He felt a wave of disappointment wash over him as he read the rejection letter.
• She was disappointed by the turnout at her book signing.
• He felt a sense of disappointment creep in as he realized he wouldn't make his deadline.
• She was disappointed that her parents couldn't make it to her graduation.

Here are some examples of showing disappointment in a sentence:

• She sighed heavily and stared at the ground.
• His shoulders slumped as he walked away.
• She avoided eye contact and her voice became monotone.
• His eyebrows furrowed and he let out a frustrated groan.

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing disappointment:

• Write a scene where the character is expecting a promotion at work, but instead gets passed over for someone else.
• Write a scene where the character is looking forward to a special event, but it gets cancelled at the last minute.
• Write a scene where the character is waiting for someone important to show up, but they never arrive.
• Write a scene where the character is trying their best to complete a task, but they fail to meet the expectations of others.
• Write a scene where the character is betrayed by someone they trusted.
• Write a scene where the character is let down by something or someone they believed in.
• Write a scene where the character's hopes and dreams are crushed by an unforeseen obstacle.
• Write a scene where the character experiences a setback or loss that threatens their sense of self-worth.
• Write a scene where the character realizes that something they had been working towards was not worth the effort.

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full list of emotions .

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Dealing with Disappointment

• Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries

There are more- and less-healthy ways to cope with it.

Disappointments are inevitable, and how we cope with them is often a defining moment in our lives. How we respond to disappointment is often influenced by our upbringing; some people seek to avoid disappointment by underachieving (setting their expectations permanently low) while others seek to avoid it by overachieving (setting their expectations unattainably high). Regardless of which way we lean, we can learn to respond healthily to disappointment by adopting a coping style that seeks to understand what happened, checks whether our expectations were reasonable, reevaluates our perceptions and behaviors, and seeks positive solutions instead of dwelling on the past. Introspection can be helpful, but rumination is often not. Although disappointment is inevitable, being discouraged is always a choice.

Robert didn’t know what to think. How could he have misjudged the situation so badly? He felt angry, sad, and betrayed.

• MV Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries is a management scholar, a psychoanalyst, and an executive coach. He is the Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development and Organizational Change at INSEAD.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Regret — How The Emotions Of Regret And Disappointment Can Be Beneficial For A Person

How The Emotions of Regret and Disappointment Can Be Beneficial for a Person

• Categories: Anxiety Fear Regret

About this sample

Words: 1112 |

Published: Mar 18, 2021

Words: 1112 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

• Zeelenberg, M., Van den Bos, K., Van Dijk, E., & Pieters, R. (2002). The inaction effect in the psychology of regret. Journal of personality and social psychology, 82(3), 314.
• Rhudy, J. L., & Meagher, M. W. (2000). Fear and anxiety: divergent effects on human pain thresholds. Pain, 84(1), 65-75.
• Regret. Negative Emotion Typology. Para.4. Retrieved from https://emotiontypology.com/typology/list/regret.
• Cappella University. (2019). The psychology of disappointment. Best Psychology Degrees. Retrieved from https://www.bestpsychologydegrees.org/the-psychology-of-disappointment/.
• Lang, P. J. (1985). The cognitive psychophysiology of emotion: Fear and anxiety.

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Essay on Dealing With Disappointment And Hardship

Students are often asked to write an essay on Dealing With Disappointment And Hardship in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Dealing With Disappointment And Hardship

Understanding disappointment and hardship.

Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. You may feel sad when you face disappointment or hardship. It’s like missing a goal in a soccer game or getting a lower grade than you hoped for. These tough times are normal, and everyone goes through them.

Feeling Your Emotions

It’s okay to feel upset when things go wrong. Let yourself be sad, angry, or frustrated. Talk to someone you trust, like a friend, teacher, or family member. Sharing your feelings can make you feel better.

Finding Solutions

After you’ve felt your feelings, start thinking of ways to make things better. If you did poorly on a test, maybe you can study more or ask for help. There’s often a way to fix or improve the situation.

Learning from Experience

Every time something doesn’t work out, you can learn from it. Maybe you find out that you need to try harder or change your approach. These lessons help you grow and do better next time.

Staying Positive

250 words essay on dealing with disappointment and hardship, understanding disappointment.

Life is like a road with ups and downs. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and we feel sad or let down. This feeling is called disappointment. It happens to everyone, whether it’s a bad grade on a test, a lost game, or a broken toy.

Hardship Is Tough

Hardship is a hard word for tough times. It’s when we face big problems that are not easy to solve. This could be being sick for a long time, having no money, or dealing with a storm that damages your house.

Facing Disappointment

When disappointment hits, it’s okay to feel upset. But after some time, we need to get back on our feet. Talk to someone you trust, like a parent or friend. They can help you see things in a new way. Remember, it’s not the end of the world, and there’s always a chance to try again.

Overcoming Hardship

Hardship is harder to beat, but not impossible. It asks for courage and not giving up. When times are tough, find help. This could be from family, friends, teachers, or even groups in your community. They can give support and advice to help you get through it.

Learning From It All

Both disappointment and hardship teach us important lessons. They make us stronger and smarter. We learn to solve problems, to be patient, and to understand that sometimes things don’t work out—and that’s okay. Remember, after a storm, the sun always comes out. In life, after hard times, good times will follow.

500 Words Essay on Dealing With Disappointment And Hardship

Accepting your feelings.

When disappointment or hardship hits, it’s okay to feel bad. It’s important to know that everyone goes through these times. You’re not alone. It’s not wrong to feel upset. Let yourself be sad for a while. Talk to someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or teacher. Sharing your feelings can make you feel better.

Finding the Good in the Bad

Even when things are tough, there can be something good to find. Look for small things that make you happy, like playing a game, reading a book, or spending time with a pet. Remembering the good things in life can help balance the bad feelings. Sometimes, hard times can teach us important lessons, like being strong or learning new ways to solve problems.

Changing What You Can

Setting new goals.

When you face disappointment, it might mean you need to set new goals. If you wanted to be in a play but didn’t get a part, maybe you can try out for another show or join the stage crew. Setting new goals gives you something to work toward and can help you move past your disappointment.

Being Patient and Kind to Yourself

Things often get better with time. Be patient. You won’t feel disappointed or sad forever. Be kind to yourself. Don’t say mean things to yourself that you wouldn’t say to a friend. Give yourself the same kindness you would give to others.

Asking for Help When Needed

Remembering you’re not alone.

Remember, every person faces disappointment and hardship. It’s part of life. But we can learn from these moments and become stronger. When you look back, you might see how these tough times helped you grow. Keep going, keep trying, and know that you’re not alone. There are always people who care and want to help you through the hard times.

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Disappointed

By Paul Laurence Dunbar

‘Disappointed’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar is an inspirational poem in which Dunbar depicts an old man working hard in the last years of his life and losing everything he strove for. 

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Nationality: American

He is considered one of the most important American poets of his time.

Key Poem Information

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Central Message: Persevere amidst adversity

Themes: Disappointment , Failure , Religion

Speaker: An old man

Emotions Evoked: Anxiety , Depression , Frustration , Sadness

Poetic Form: Sestet

Time Period: 20th Century

Poem Analyzed by Emma Baldwin

B.A. English (Minor: Creative Writing), B.F.A. Fine Art, B.A. Art Histories

Although the old man suffers a great deal in ‘Disappointed,’ the main theme of his poem is that through perseverance, one can succeed. The poet suggests that one can’t give up even when a situation feels difficult or even impossible. 

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Explore Disappointed

• 1 Summary 
• 2 Structure and Form 
• 4 Literary Devices 
• 5 Detailed Analysis 
• 6 FAQs 
• 7 Similar Poetry 

Summary 

‘Disappointed’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a poem about hard work, disappointment, and perseverance. 

The poet describes an old man working tirelessly to ensure that he has an orchard of food. There’s so much food that the man knows he’ll be well-fed into his last years of life. But, suddenly, everything changes. A storm sweeps in, and the man’s entire orchard is destroyed. While he despairs, a voice (God’s) comes down from the Heavens and tells him to get up and get back to work planting everything again. 

Structure and Form 

‘Disappointed’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a three-stanza poem that is divided into sets of six lines, known as sestets , for a total of 18 lines. The poem follows a simple rhyme scheme of ABABCC in each stanza . The poet also chose to use iambic pentameter in the odd-numbered lines and tetrameter in the even-numbered lines (with some exceptions). 

The meaning of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s ‘Disappointed’ is that no matter how difficult a situation is, one can’t give up. The old man in the poem wanted to give up after his entire orchard was destroyed, but God ensured that he didn’t. While the poet spends the poet discussing a specific situation, the old man’s difficulties are supposed to be a metaphor for life generally. 

Literary Devices 

Dunbar uses a few different literary devices in this poem. They include: 

• Personification : occurs when the poet imbues something non-human with human characteristics. For example, “The sun was kind, and the rain befriended.” Alliteration : the use of the same consonant sound at the beginning of multiple words. For example, “For here is fruit for my failing years.”  
• Allusion : the poem includes a reference to religion and religious beliefs (specifically Christianity) in the poet’s final line. 
• Juxtaposition : the poet contrasts the resources the man has at the beginning of the poem to the loss of those resources in the second stanza. 

Detailed Analysis 

An old man planted and dug and tended,     Toiling in joy from dew to dew; The sun was kind, and the rain befriended;     Fine grew his orchard and fair to view. Then he said: ‘I will quiet my thrifty fears, For here is fruit for my failing years.’

In the first stanza of ‘Disappointed,’ the speaker describes an older man (who goes unnamed throughout the poem) planting. He has lived a hard life and is now, in his old age, trying to take care of himself. The man has optimal conditions for his work, with both the sun and rain appearing and disappearing when he needs them to. 

Everything went well for a long time for him. He could see his “orchard” growing in front of him, and it made him feel safe and secure. He knew that now he’d be fed during his “failing years.” The man was trying to prepare for the last years of his life when he wouldn’t be strong enough to do the work he’s doing now. 

Stanza Two 

But even then the storm-clouds gathered,     Swallowing up the azure sky; The sweeping winds into white foam lathered     The placid breast of the bay, hard by; Then the spirits that raged in the darkened air Swept o’er his orchard and left it bare.

In the second stanza, everything changes. The man’s hard work is swept away by a storm. It destroys everything the man worked so hard for and “left [the ground] bare.” There was nothing left behind that he could salvage. 

The second stanza is primarily focused on the storm and how merciless it was. It was made up of “spirits that raged in the darkened air.” It was like an act of God, and the poet is implying. The old man’s life was suddenly thrown into disarray, and his health (not to mention his survival) was suddenly at risk. 

Stanza Three 

The old man stood in the rain, uncaring,     Viewing the place the storm had swept; And then with a cry from his soul despairing,     He bowed him down to the earth and wept. But a voice cried aloud from the driving rain; “Arise, old man, and plant again!”

The man was stunned by what had happened to his hard work. So much so that he chose to stand outside, uncaring, in the rain and suffer in the wet and cold. He wept while looking around at everything he used to have. 

His whole world changed in a moment, and he went from happy and pleased he wouldn’t have to “thrift” anymore to despairing. 

The poem ends with the man feeling defeated and hearing a “voice…from the driving rain” calling down to him. This is meant to be God rousing the man and telling him that all he has to do is “Arise…and plant again.” 

While the poem is focused on a single person’s experiences, it is meant to convey a specific attitude that will get one through life. The poet suggests that one might suffer, as the old man did, and lose everything one cares about, but with God, anything is possible, and one can start again. 

The main theme of ‘Disappointed’ is perseverance. The poet describes an old man’s hard work and then a very serious tragedy . Then, how God called to him in order to rouse him. He has to preserve in order to survive. 

The message is that one can’t give up in the face of hardship. It’s important to keep the faith and continue working hard even when a situation seems impossible. 

Today, Paul Laurence Dunbar is remembered for inspiring the poets of the Harlem Renaissance in the 20s and 30s as one of the first widely popular Black authors in the United States. 

Paul Laurence Dunbar has a few very popular poems, including ‘Sympathy,’ in which he speaks about the lives of Black Americans. Another well-known poem is ‘ We Wear the Mask ’ in which he describes how people disguise their personalities. 

Similar Poetry 

Readers who enjoyed this poem should also consider reading some other Paul Laurence Dunbar poems . For example: 

• ‘ One Life’ – a relatively depressing poem about Dunbar’s life. 
• ‘ The Poet ’ – depicts the way the poet understood his work and reputation.
• ‘ By the Stream ’ – a thoughtful poem in which the poet discusses the changing nature of things. 

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Baldwin, Emma. "Disappointed by Paul Laurence Dunbar". Poem Analysis , https://poemanalysis.com/paul-laurence-dunbar/disappointed/ . Accessed 10 September 2024.

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The Disappointment Artist: Essays Paperback – March 14, 2006

• Print length 160 pages
• Language English
• Publication date March 14, 2006
• Dimensions 5.19 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• ISBN-10 1400076811
• ISBN-13 978-1400076819
• See all details

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Editorial Reviews

From the back cover, about the author, excerpt. © reprinted by permission. all rights reserved., product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group (March 14, 2006)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1400076811
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1400076819
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.19 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• #8,551 in Essays (Books)
• #12,201 in Author Biographies
• #25,153 in Short Stories Anthologies

About the author

Jonathan lethem.

Jonathan Lethem was born in New York and attended Bennington College.

He is the author of seven novels including Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn, which was named Novel of the Year by Esquire and won the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Salon Book Award, as well as the Macallan Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger.

He has also written two short story collections, a novella and a collection of essays, edited The Vintage Book of Amnesia, guest-edited The Year's Best Music Writing 2002, and was the founding fiction editor of Fence magazine.

His writings have appeared in the New Yorker, Rolling Stone, McSweeney's and many other periodicals.

He lives in Brooklyn, New York

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150+ Ways to Say “Disappointed”: A Word List for Writers

Are You Disappointed?

“Our best successes often come after our greatest disappointments.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

“Don’t let today’s disappointments cast a shadow on tomorrow’s dreams .” ~ Unknown

How do you react to disappointment? How do your characters react? You do create hurdles for them, right? Great — unless those hurdles result in undue repetition of disappointed .

If you’re disappointed by the number of times you’ve discovered disappointed in your WIP, these alternatives might rescue you.

Emotion Beats and Physical Manifestations

Body language can show a character’s emotional state. Disappointment might be demonstrated in many ways, including:

• avoiding eye contact
• biting one’s nails
• biting or chewing on one’s mustache
• chewing on one’s lip
• covering one’s face with hands
• crinkled eyes
• exhaling noisily through one’s pursed lips
• frowning or scowling
• grinding one’s teeth — probably obvious to POV (point of view) character only
• gripping one’s upper arms (self-hugging)
• holding hands behind back, one hand gripping opposite wrist or arm
• hunched posture
• kicking at someone or something [furniture, pet, rock, wall]
• lowering one’s head
• lowering one’s voice
• monotone voice
• mustache that droops above downturned lips
• pale, saggy face
• placing one’s arms behind back, and clasping hands
• pressing one’s lips together
• pronounced sigh(s)
• puffy face (from crying)
• rigid expression
• rubbing one’s face with a hand
• rubbing one’s neck
• self-hugging, with a firm grip on one’s elbows
• shaking one’s head
• shuffling one’s feet
• slumped shoulders and upper back
• smiling halfheartedly ( halfheartedly = opinion adjective )
• standing akimbo
• swallowing hard
• tightness in one’s stomach — only obvious to POV character
• tightness in one’s chest — only obvious to POV character
• trembling chin
• tucking elbows in while clasping one’s wrist
• twitching nose
• upset stomach — only obvious to POV character
• wrinkling one’s nose

For more options, consult a body language dictionary . (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Synonyms for disappointed include words like the following. Choose a descriptor that matches the intensity. A minor level of disappointment could be described as disconcerted or unsettled , whereas an extreme level might be better typified as beaten or devastated .

B to U beaten, blue, chagrined, chapfallen [dated; useful for period fiction], crestfallen, defeated, deflated, depressed, despondent, devastated, disconcerted, discontented, discouraged, disenchanted, disgruntled, disheartened, disillusioned, dismayed, dispirited, displeased, dissatisfied, distressed, down, downcast, downhearted, frustrated, gloomy, let down, melancholy, saddened, unhappy, unsettled, upset

Similes and Metaphors

You could describe a disappointed character as looking like:

• a bride or groom deserted at the altar
• a chef whose soufflé has just collapsed
• a child who discovers that Santa isn’t real
• a dieter who has slipped up on the latest fad diet
• a dog who can’t find its bone
• a kid who has been grounded for _____
• a long-faced lemur
• a loser [at cards, in an election, in love, at pool, of a race]
• a mother whose children have all left home
• a person who catches a spouse or significant other [cheating on a diet, in the arms of someone else, overspending, smoking, sneaking out of the house]
• a poet who has received fifty rejections for a poem
• a priest taking confession
• a student who has received a failing grade on an essay
• a sulking [martyr, politician, puppy]
• a tear-filled teenager who can’t find a date for the prom
• a weeping statue in a cemetery

Or you could parallel a disappointed character with:

• a deflated [puff pastry, tire, windbag]
• the embodiment of frustrated ambitions
• the epitome of unrequited love
• the incarnation of unfulfilled dreams
• the personification of unrealized aspirations
• the picture of bad news

The Versatility of Verbs and Phrasal Verbs

You can show characters’ disappointment by choosing alternative verbs.

For example:

Numerous unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking beat Al. With a trembling chin, he dialed his therapist and made an appointment.

“Nothing saddens me more than hearing about your dilemma,” said Dr. Freuden. “Let’s discuss your options.”

B to U beat, chagrin, defeat, deflate, depress, devastate, disconcert, discontent, discourage, disenchant, disgruntle, dishearten, disillusion, dismay, dispirit, displease, dissatisfy, distress, embitter, frustrate, let down, mislead, sadden , unsettle, upset

Well-chosen props augment a story by sparking new twists or subplots:

• breaking one’s diet when confronted with [cheesecake, chocolate, freshly baked bread, ice cream, Mom’s __________]
• coming down with a cold just before [a first date, a trip abroad, one’s wedding]
• discovering that one is allergic to a much-loved food
• discovering that the toilet paper is one-ply instead of three-ply — after one’s fingers go through it at an inopportune moment
• expecting [beef Bolognese sauce, chocolate-chip cookies, coffee] and being served [meatless spaghetti sauce, raisin cookies, tea] instead
• food that doesn’t turn out the way a recipe promises
• losing one’s [clothes, glasses, keys, phone, shoes]
• a movie that doesn’t live up to the book
• no donations for a fundraising campaign
• rain during [a camping trip, a family reunion, a picnic, a wedding]
• terrible results in the latest political poll

Clichés and Idioms

Trite expressions function well for some narrators and dialogue. However, you might want to avoid expressions such as the following:

Adjectives and adjective phrases as sick as a parrot bummed out burnt out cast down choked cut up down in the dumps gutted run aground short-changed unglued

Miscellaneous phrases to dampen someone’s spirits to dash someone’s hopes to fall short of someone’s expectations to kick someone in the teeth to nip someone’s hopes in the bud to put a damper on someone’s spirits to put someone out to shatter someone’s illusions

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6 thoughts on “ 150+ Ways to Say “Disappointed”: A Word List for Writers ”

I want to thank you for these writing tips. I have been troubling a lot on creative writings and these tips helped me MORE than I thought. I somehow found myself reading more of your writing tips in my free time because it motivated me to get better at writing. Thank you so much.

Thanks, Klaira.

Good luck with your writing, and stay safe!

What a list, Kathy. I’m not sure you missed anything.

Thanks, Jacqui!

I’m excited to say that tomorrow’s post will be “200+ Ways to Say ‘Excited’.”

Good morning Kathy from Eastbourne, England

Thank you for your most useful newsletters and writing tips. On the theme of disappointment some of my recent disappointments have been when my cosmo seeds failed to germinate, seeing the damage slugs have caused in my hostas and when my husband ‘pruned’ a winter flowering viburnam effectively cutting away the potential flowering shoots for the coming winter. I would think though it must be every writer’s biggest disppointment to receive a rejection slip from agents and publishers. With thanks and keep writing.

Excellent examples, Jenny!

If we all take disappointments like those you mentioned and remember how we felt when they occurred, we can insert the same level of emotion into our writing — method writing at its finest.

I hope you’re doing well in Eastbourne.

The Great Disappointment

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Home > SEM > CHURCH-HISTORY > CHURCH-HISTORY-PUBS > 99

Faculty Publications

Review of Magnificent Disappointment: What Really Happened in 1844 and its Meaning for Today, by C. Mervyn Maxwell.

P. Gerard Damsteegt Follow

Document Type

Publication date.

January 1994

Magnificent Disappointment is a popularly written book in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Great Disappointment of 1844 when the hopes of Adventists were dashed when Jesus did not return. C. Mervyn Maxwell, one of the finest Seventh-day Adventist historians, attempts to explain the meaning of 1844 and its relevancy for today.

Recommended Citation

Damsteegt, P. Gerard, "Review of Magnificent Disappointment: What Really Happened in 1844 and its Meaning for Today, by C. Mervyn Maxwell." (1994). Faculty Publications . 99. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/church-history-pubs/99

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The Disappointment Aphra Behn

The Disappointment essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Disappointment by Aphra Behn.

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The Disappointment Essays

The subliminal message within the disappointment riley willoughby college, the disappointment.

“His silent Griefs, swell up to Storms, And not one God, his Fury spares, He Curst his Birth, his Fate, his Stars, But more the Shepherdesses Charms ; Whose soft bewitching influence, Had Damn'd him to the Hell of Impotence.”

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Power Dynamics and Sexual Double Standards in "The Disappointment" and 'Fantomia' Gianna Rufo College

Aphra Behn’s “The Disappointment” and Eliza Haywood’s “Fantomina” both imply a strong relationship between sex and power. Yet, the ways in which their characters understand this relationship is dependent on their gender. The male protagonists,...