greatest first lines of novels

One of the great first lines 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 immediately sets the tone for a story about marriage and social class in 19th - century England.

One great first line is from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' This line immediately sets a contrast and draws the reader in, making them wonder what kind of times are being referred to and how they can be both the best and the worst at once.

They set the mood. For example, a spooky first line can make the whole story seem eerie. Like in some horror novels where the first line might be something about a dark, foreboding place. It draws the reader in immediately.

Well, they hook you right away. For example, like the first line in '1984' by George Orwell, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' This makes you stop and think. It creates an immediate sense of something being off, and it makes you curious to find out more about this world where the clocks strike thirteen. It sets the mood for the whole dystopian story.

In 'The Great Gatsby', the line 'So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.' is a powerful ending. It reflects on the futility of Gatsby's dreams and the inescapability of the past for the characters in the novel, with a touch of melancholy and resignation.

One of the most memorable love lines from greatest novels is 'Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same' from 'Wuthering Heights'. This line beautifully captures the idea that two people can be so deeply connected on a spiritual level. It shows that love isn't just about physical attraction but a profound bond that goes beyond the surface.

Another great line is 'Zed's dead, baby. Zed's dead.' It's a very matter - of - fact and somewhat comical line considering the context of the movie's action - filled and somewhat chaotic scenes.

The first lines are quite important. They can grab the reader's attention right away. For example, if the first line is dull, the reader might not be interested in reading further.

The first lines of Hemingway novels are often very impactful. For example, in 'The Sun Also Rises', the opening sets a certain mood. It draws the reader into the post - World War I disillusioned world that Hemingway was so good at portraying. These first lines usually give a hint of the themes that will follow, like the lost generation's search for meaning and the complex relationships among the characters.

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.