Literary notes about drape (AI summary)
The term “drape” in literature serves as a versatile metaphor that connotes both physical layering and the subtle overlay of emotion or atmosphere. It is often used to describe the literal arrangement of fabric—whether a garment secured by a brooch that drapes elegantly on a person [1] or a luxurious robe that renders its wearer almost otherworldly through its softly revealing folds [2]. Authors also extend its use to the natural world and built environments, evoking imagery of delicate ivy draping over rugged stone formations [3] or heavy curtains draping a window to obscure what lies beyond [4, 5]. In addition, the word transcends physicality to capture internal states, as seen when a character’s anger prevents him from draping his feelings appropriately [6] or when a simple act of placing a drape over a shoulder becomes a tender gesture of intimacy [7].
- It was secured at the neck by a brooch, and suffered to drape on the person.
— from Ecclesiastical Vestments: Their development and history by Robert Alexander Stewart Macalister - Perhaps it was the softly revealing drape of the thread-of-gold robe she was wearing—true queenly garb, donned by her for the first time.
— from The Martian Cabal by Roman Frederick Starzl - The Isthmus is seamed with ravines and ridges, picturesque with rocks which running vines drape and age has colored, and variegated with corn-fields.
— from In the Levant Twenty Fifth Impression by Charles Dudley Warner - Next to it, the drape framing the window was not hanging right.
— from The Gallery by Rog Phillips - The furniture is in red, and the heavy curtains that drape the windows fall from gilt cornices.
— from Muslin by George Moore - For the moment he was too angry to play a part or to drape his feelings.
— from The Great House by Stanley John Weyman - Lifting her hair, Mandi let him drape the chain and fasten the clasp as she looked in the booth's mirror.
— from An Encounter in Atlanta by Ed Howdershelt
