first lines from famous novels

In 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, it starts with 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' This line sets the stage for the complex and contrasting world that the story unfolds in. It gives a sense of the duality and turmoil that the characters will experience during the French Revolution era which is the backdrop of the novel.

Another well - known first line is 'Call me Ishmael' from 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It's a simple yet engaging start, making the reader curious about who Ishmael is and what his story will be.

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.

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.

One famous first line 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 sets the tone for the whole novel, which is mainly about marriage and social class in the 19th - century England. It immediately draws the reader's attention to the central theme of the novel.

The first lines of famous novels are often very captivating. For example, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities'. This line immediately sets a complex and contrasting mood, making the reader wonder about the story's context and what could be so extreme. It draws the reader in by presenting a paradox that makes one eager to understand how such a situation could exist.

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.

We can get a sense of the tone. For example, the first line of '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.' sets a somewhat satirical and matter - of - fact tone right away. It gives an idea about the society's view on marriage and wealth at that time.

By creating mystery. For instance, a line like 'Call me Ishmael' from 'Moby - Dick'. It makes the reader wonder who Ishmael is and what his story is all about.

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.