What are some of the greatest first lines from 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some of the well - known first lines include 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities'.

The opening line of '1984' by George Orwell, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' It's a very striking line. The idea of the clocks striking thirteen is abnormal and immediately creates a sense of unease and a dystopian atmosphere.

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.

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.