In '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.' This first line is so iconic. It not only reveals the social context of the time where marriage was a major concern for economic and social reasons but also sets up the main theme of the novel about love, marriage, and social status.
In Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre', the line 'There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.' starts the story. It gives a sense of confinement which is relevant to Jane's situation as an orphan at Gateshead. It makes the reader curious about why she can't go for a walk and what kind of life she leads.
Some famous first lines immediately draw readers in. For example, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'. This line sets an unusual and slightly off - putting atmosphere right from the start, making the reader curious about what kind of world this is where the clocks strike thirteen. It gives a sense of a world that is different from our own, perhaps dystopian.
Some famous first lines in short stories are very captivating. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado', the first line 'The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could' immediately sets a tone of vengeance and mystery. It makes the reader wonder what these 'injuries' are and what the narrator is planning.
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.
They are often attention - grabbing. A good first line makes the reader want to keep reading. For instance, if it starts with a strange or mysterious statement.
Well, consider 'She found the letter on a sunny Tuesday morning, but it felt like a cold winter day.' This first line is interesting because it juxtaposes the pleasant day with the cold feeling that the letter brings. It makes the reader curious about what's in the letter and why it has such an effect.
One great opening line could be 'It was a dark and stormy night.' This classic line immediately sets a mood of mystery and unease. It makes the reader wonder what might be happening in such a forbidding setting.
One example could be 'The day the sky turned green was the day everything changed.' It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what could cause the sky to turn green and how that would change things. Another is 'She opened the box and found a world she never knew existed.' This line creates mystery and makes the reader eager to find out more about the box and the world inside it.
One great first line could be 'The last man on earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door.' It immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets up a mysterious and intriguing scenario. It makes you wonder who could be knocking if he's the last man, creating a sense of suspense right from the start.