Analysis of Famous First Lines of Short Stories
In Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher', the first line 'During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country...' creates a mood of gloom and isolation. It makes the reader anticipate a story filled with mystery and melancholy as the narrator is alone in a desolate place on a gloomy day.
Some famous first lines immediately draw readers in. For example, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'. This line sets an unusual and slightly off - putting atmosphere right from the start, making the reader curious about what kind of world this is where the clocks strike thirteen. It gives a sense of a world that is different from our own, perhaps dystopian.
Another great first line is from Anton Chekhov's 'The Lady with the Dog': 'He had just had his dinner when his servant, Grigory, came in to say that a lady with a little dog had arrived.' This line is simple yet effective. It starts the story in an ordinary way but the mention of the lady with the dog immediately piques the reader's interest, making them wonder who she is and what her relation to the main character might be.
Analysis of Famous First Lines in Short Stories
Some famous first lines in short stories are very captivating. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado', the first line 'The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could' immediately sets a tone of vengeance and mystery. It makes the reader wonder what these 'injuries' are and what the narrator is planning.
Analysis of Famous First Lines from Short Stories
In 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, it starts with 'The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full - summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green.' This seemingly idyllic description is a contrast to the dark and disturbing events that unfold later in the story. It gives a false sense of normalcy at the beginning.
Analysis of Famous First Lines of Stories
In 'Pride and Prejudice', 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' This first line is so iconic. It not only reveals the social context of the time where marriage was a major concern for economic and social reasons but also sets up the main theme of the novel about love, marriage, and social status.
Analysis of Famous First Lines in Novels
In 'Pride and Prejudice', the first line 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' is well - known. This line not only reveals the social context of the time, where marriage was often a matter of financial and social status, but also gives a peek into the themes of the novel regarding relationships and social expectations.
Analysis of Famous First Lines in Novels
One famous first line is from 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen: 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' This line sets the tone for the whole novel, which is mainly about marriage and social class in the 19th - century England. It immediately draws the reader's attention to the central theme of the novel.
Analysis of the First Lines of Famous Novels
The first lines of famous novels are often very captivating. For example, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities'. This line immediately sets a complex and contrasting mood, making the reader wonder about the story's context and what could be so extreme. It draws the reader in by presenting a paradox that makes one eager to understand how such a situation could exist.
Analysis of Famous First Lines of Classic Novels
One of the most famous first lines is 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens. This line immediately sets a complex and contrasting mood, hinting at the dual nature of the story that follows, with both good and bad elements intertwined.
What are the Characteristics of Famous First Lines in Short Stories?
They are often attention - grabbing. A good first line makes the reader want to keep reading. For instance, if it starts with a strange or mysterious statement.
Analysis of Famous Last Lines of Horror Stories
A well - known last line is 'The darkness never left.' This is very effective as it gives a feeling of eternal doom. The 'darkness' here can be symbolic of evil or the unknown horror that has now become a permanent part of the world in the story. It creates a sense of hopelessness and a chilling atmosphere that stays with the reader long after they've finished reading.
What Are the Most Memorable Famous First Lines from Short Stories?
A great first line is from 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway: 'The hills across the valley of the Ebro were long and white. On this side there was no shade and no trees and the station was between two lines of rails in the sun.' Hemingway's concise description gives a sense of the setting, which is important as the story unfolds in this sparse landscape.