it means it can bring up old memories
This is figurative writing. The author is comparing odors to land mines. They're saying that your memory of a smell triggers other memories like mines blowing up and scattering everything.
The comparative form of "softly" is "more softly."
Comparative: more softly Superlative: most softly
Yes, "softly" is an adverb. It describes how an action is done, such as speaking softly or walking softly.
You can use "softly" to describe how something is done gently or quietly. For example, "She whispered softly in his ear" or "The music played softly in the background."
Killing You Softly
Softly is not an adjective. It's an adverb.
Swing Softly was created in 1958.
Come Softly to Me was created in 1959.
No, "softly" is not a noun. It is an adverb used to describe how something is done.
She whimpered softly as she listened to the heartbreaking news.
Gerard Norman has: Played Jim Fowler in "Softly Softly" in 1966. Played Cafferty in "Softly Softly" in 1966. Played Watson in "Softly Softly: Task Force" in 1969. Played Lt. Brady in "Madame Sin" in 1972. Played Court Reporter in "Gandhi" in 1982.