Famous openings can hook the reader right away. For example, if an opening is mysterious like in many detective novels, it makes the reader curious and they want to keep reading to find out what happens.
Famous passages often sum up the main themes. For example, in '1984' by George Orwell, 'Big Brother is watching you' is a key passage. It immediately gives the sense of a totalitarian regime where privacy is non - existent and surveillance is omnipresent, which is a central theme of the novel.
Famous dialogues can drive the plot forward. For example, in a mystery novel, a crucial dialogue might reveal a clue that leads the detective to solve the case. It's like a piece of the puzzle.
Quotes are like signposts in novels. In 'The Catcher in the Rye' with Holden's 'I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff.' It gives a sense of Holden's protective and somewhat lost nature, and it ties into the overall theme of the loss of innocence and the search for meaning in a confusing world.
Famous first lines often set the mood. For example, the first line of 'The Great Gatsby' - 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' It gives a sense of reflection and sets a somewhat nostalgic mood. This mood stays throughout the novel as Nick Carraway looks back on the events of that summer.
Famous prayers from novels contribute to the overall story by revealing the characters' innermost feelings. For instance, in 'The Brothers Karamazov' by Fyodor Dostoevsky, characters' prayers expose their moral and spiritual struggles. It helps readers understand their motives and the depth of their souls. This in turn enriches the plot as it shows the forces that drive the characters' actions.
They help in character differentiation. In a novel with multiple characters, unique silhouettes like a tall and broad - shouldered hero and a small, frail villain can make it easier for the reader to distinguish between them at a glance. This also helps in visualizing the interactions between characters more vividly. Consider in 'Lord of the Rings', the hobbits' small silhouettes compared to the large ones of the humans and elves, which emphasizes their different natures and roles in the story. Moreover, a character's silhouette can change over time in the novel, symbolizing their growth or decline. A character who starts with a hunched and timid silhouette but later stands tall and confident shows a transformation that is an important part of the overall narrative.
The second lines contribute by providing more context. In a historical novel, it might give details about the time period like 'The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, a remnant of the recent battle.' This helps the reader understand the backdrop. Moreover, it can introduce the conflict. If the first line sets the stage, the second can hint at the problem. In a love story, the second line could say 'But she knew their love was doomed from the start.' This foreshadows the challenges the couple will face.
The best opening sentences also set the mood for the whole novel. In a horror novel, a spooky opening can put the reader on edge for the entire read. In a romantic novel, a sweet or passionate opening can make the reader feel the love right from the start. They are like a preview of what the whole story will be like in terms of atmosphere. Consider 'The Great Gatsby' where the opening gives a sense of mystery and melancholy that pervades the whole novel.
Well, in many novels, the plot line directly reflects the theme. For example, in 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell, the plot where the pigs gradually take over and become as corrupt as the humans they once rebelled against is a clear illustration of the theme of power corrupting. The plot developments show how the ideals of the revolution are betrayed.
In some novels, the ending line can be a twist that completely changes how we view the whole story. Consider 'The Sixth Sense' which is based on a novel. The ending line reveals the truth that the main character has been dead all along. This kind of ending line forces the reader to re - evaluate everything they've read before and adds a whole new layer of meaning to the story.