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.
One famous last line is from 'The Great Gatsby': 'So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.' This line is so profound as it reflects on the futility of Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream and the inescapable pull of the past. It shows that no matter how hard one tries to move forward, the past has a way of dragging one back.
One of the most famous last lines is from 'The Great Gatsby': 'So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.' This line sums up the futility and the unending struggle of the characters in the novel, especially Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream which is ultimately unachievable.
The last lines in horror stories are crucial. For instance, 'I looked back, and it was waiting.' This line means that the horror is inescapable. The character realizes that the source of their fear is still there, and it gives a sense of impending doom. It shows that no matter how much the character has tried to run or escape, the horror will always be there, lurking in the shadows.
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.
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.
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.
The 23 best last lines in fiction are often very impactful. For example, in 'To Kill a Mockingbird', the last line gives a sense of hope and growth in a difficult world. It shows how Scout has matured through her experiences. Another one might be from a classic like 'Pride and Prejudice', where the last line ties up the love story neatly, leaving the reader with a feeling of satisfaction. These last lines can sum up the whole theme of the book, leave a lingering emotion, or provide a new perspective on the story that has been told.
The top 100 last lines of novels can be a rich source of study. Some might end with a sense of closure, like in 'Pride and Prejudice' where the last line gives a happy ending for the main characters. Others could end on a more thought - provoking note, leaving the reader with something to ponder long after finishing the book. These last lines often sum up the themes, the character arcs, or the overall mood of the novel in a concise way.
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.
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.