Literary notes about paraphernalia (AI summary)
In literature, the term “paraphernalia” is frequently used to evoke a set of objects that are intrinsic to a character’s role or an event’s atmosphere. It can indicate tangible gear or accoutrements—from travel essentials and equipment ([1], [2], [3]) to the ornate trappings involved in ceremonial or ritual contexts ([4], [5], [6]). Authors also deploy the word to underscore both the necessary and the superfluous aspects of material culture. For instance, paraphernalia may highlight the everyday items that accompany leisure and work ([7], [8]), while at other times it becomes a subtle critique of the cumbersome extras that burden modern life ([9], [10]). In this way, the term serves as a versatile literary device, capable of suggesting practical utility, cultural identity, or even excess, depending on the narrative’s needs ([11], [12]).
- Armed with the paraphernalia for a day's tour, we set off down the slope.
— from The Home of the Blizzard Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 by Mawson, Douglas, Sir - The owner of the team will supply also the necessary dog harness, his own dog whip and general dog traveling paraphernalia, including the komatik.
— from Packing and Portaging by Dillon Wallace - All the paraphernalia of a camp, with a train of mules, was behind them.
— from The Transient Lake; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Adventures in a Mysterious Country by Luis Senarens - On these occasions the Christian priests enter first with their paraphernalia, and pray for him, and bless his cup.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano - He brought with him images and texts and all the paraphernalia necessary for the gorgeous ceremonials of his religion.
— from Korean Buddhism: History—Condition—Art by Frederick Starr - [Footnote 80: This position is of great importance as tending to produce a similar arrangement of religious paraphernalia.
— from Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 1 by Eliot, Charles, Sir - One delightful afternoon Marjorie sat in her cosy little porch with a table full of delightful paraphernalia and a heart full of expectation.
— from Marjorie's Vacation by Carolyn Wells - She loved his artist's paraphernalia, and the books, and the photos of people.
— from Sons and Lovers by D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence - Why do we bring all the paraphernalia of our costly civilization with us, considering that it’s bound not to last?
— from The Hidden Force: A Story of Modern Java by Louis Couperus - And that formula is, again, go light , for a superabundance of paraphernalia proves always more of a care than a satisfaction.
— from The Forest by Stewart Edward White - thus one might go on from day to day contriving new extravagances, revelling in the paraphernalia of woe, wedded to all the appurtenances of despair.
— from The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley - or Perfection of Morality, was erected, and terraces, towers, images and all the paraphernalia of the new kind of Buddhism were prepared.
— from The Religions of Japan, from the Dawn of History to the Era of Méiji by William Elliot Griffis
