Some first sentences are like a teaser. Consider 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov, 'Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul.' This is a very controversial opening because of its rather sexual undertones. But it is also extremely captivating. It makes the reader want to know more about who Lolita is and what the relationship between the narrator and her will be, while also warning the reader that this might be a rather unorthodox story.
Well, take 'Moby - Dick' which starts 'Call me Ishmael.' This simple yet powerful first sentence gives the reader a sense of intimacy, as if the narrator is directly addressing them. It also creates a sense of mystery. Who is Ishmael? Why should we call him that? It's a great hook that gets you interested in the story right from the start.
One famous first sentence 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 sets the tone for the whole novel which is largely about marriage and social status in the 19th - century English society. It immediately grabs the reader's attention as it presents a rather cynical view of marriage as a financial transaction of sorts.
Well, take 'The Great Gatsby' for example. Its first line '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 makes the narrator seem reflective and sets up the idea that there are important lessons and memories to be shared. It kind of draws the reader into the narrator's world right away.
Consider 'The Great Gatsby' starting with '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 gives the impression of a story that is going to be a reflection on the past, on growing up, and on the wisdom or lack thereof passed down through generations. It's like an invitation to join the narrator on his journey of self - discovery.
They are quite important. For one thing, they can grab the reader's attention right away. For instance, if the first sentence is dull, the reader might not be interested in continuing. But a really engaging first sentence like 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from '1984' by George Orwell makes you want to know more.
The opening of 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, 'Call me Ishmael.' is very well - known. It's a simple yet powerful start. It directly introduces the narrator, making the reader curious about who Ishmael is and what his story will be. It's like an invitation to follow Ishmael on his journey, which in this case, is the fateful voyage in pursuit of the great white whale.
The first line often grabs the reader's attention. For instance, in 'A Tale of Two Cities' with 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' It sets a tone of contrast and mystery. The last line can leave a lasting impression. In 'Moby - Dick' where it ends with '... then all collapsed, and the great shroud of the sea rolled on as it rolled five thousand years ago.' It gives a sense of the vastness and unchanging nature of the sea, leaving the reader with a feeling of the enormity of the story just told.
There are many famous sentences in well-known novels. The following are some of the classics: 1 " Life is short, I'll love you with my whole life." Titanic "Death is inevitable. It may be heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather." Seven Samurai 3 "Love is a light that lights up our path"-- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone "I'll love you until the end of the world." Twilight "My soul is connected to yours." Doctor Who and the Time Machine "What is the most important thing in life? The answer is life itself." Alive 7 " There's nothing more important in this world than living." The Three-Body Problem "I'll always love you no matter where you are." Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 9 " Nothing is more precious than life, so you must cherish life, cherish everyone who loves you and the people you love." Dear Andre Life is like a dream. I can only realize my dreams in my dreams. Dream of the Red Chamber I hope these famous phrases can bring you some enlightenment and enlightenment.
There is 'A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...' which is the beginning of the 'Star Wars' novelizations. And 'Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.' from Gabriel García Márquez's 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'. The first sentence can draw the reader in and set the stage for the story.
They hook the reader right away. For example, if a first sentence is mysterious like in some detective novels, it makes you want to read on to find out what's going on.