Another good one is 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' from Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. This line not only gives an insight into the society of the time where marriage was a big deal for financial and social reasons but also makes the reader interested in seeing how this idea will play out in the story.
The opening of F. Scott Fitzgerald's '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. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages as you have."' This line sets up the narrator's perspective and also gives a hint about the themes of class and judgment that will be explored in the novel.
The opening of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This line creates a sense of reflection and mystery. We wonder what the advice was and why it has stayed with the narrator for so long. It also gives a bit of a personal touch to the story from the very beginning.
Another example is from 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This opening makes the reader curious about what that advice was. It also gives an impression of the narrator reflecting on his past, which is central to the story of Jay Gatsby and the narrator's relationship with him. The line has a certain elegance and a touch of mystery.
Sure. The opening of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."' This line gives us an insight into the narrator's character and sets up the themes of class and judgment.
Well, from 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte, 'There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.' This unassuming opening is actually quite effective. It creates a sense of confinement and the start of a story that will likely involve the main character breaking free from some sort of restriction, whether it be physical or emotional.
The opening of 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens - 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' is a classic. It sets up the contrast that is going to be central to the story, which is set during the French Revolution. It's a very powerful and thought - provoking start that gives a sense of the complex and chaotic times in which the story unfolds.
Sure. 'Call me Ishmael.' from 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It's a simple yet powerful line that invites the reader to get to know the narrator. It's like Ishmael is personally asking you to listen to his story.
Sure. 'All children, except one, grow up.' from J.M. Barrie's 'Peter Pan'. This line makes you wonder about that one child who doesn't grow up and draws you into the magical world of Neverland.
Here's another one: 'She found the letter in the attic, yellowed with age and filled with secrets she never knew existed.' This opening line starts with an object (the letter) that is likely to be central to the story. The fact that it's old and has secrets makes the reader want to know more about it and how it will impact the character.
Sure. Consider the opening of 'The Magicians' by Lev Grossman: 'Quentin did a magic trick. Nobody noticed.' This line is interesting as it sets up the character Quentin and his ability to do magic in a world where it seems unnoticed. It makes you wonder why his magic goes unnoticed and what kind of world he lives in.
The ending line of 'Lord of the Flies' - 'Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.' This line sums up the entire dark journey of the boys on the island. It shows the loss of their initial innocence, the revelation of the evil that can lurk within humans, and the grief for the death of Piggy, which is a very poignant way to end the novel.