What is an Epigraph?
A brief quotation or saying at the beginning of a literary work.
Setting the Tone: The Art of Epigraphs
Epigraphs are those little bits of text you often see at the beginning of books, chapters, or sections. They're like tiny appetizers to the literary entree you're about to consume. Epigraphs are typically a quotation or motto that sets a tone or theme for the text that follows. They can be funny, serious, philosophical, or obscure.
The use of epigraphs dates back to ancient Greece and are often used in contemporary works of literature. As a writer, choosing an epigraph can be a fun challenge. You want it to grab the reader's attention and establish a tone, but you also want it to be relevant to your work.
So why should you bother with an epigraph? Well, for one, it can add depth and complexity to your work. It's a subtle nod to your literary influences and sets a stage for the reader to experience your words in a particular way. Epigraphs are also a great way to highlight a book's themes or to provide a contextual framework. They can also be used to add a layer of meaning to the text's plot and characters.
So next time you're drafting a literary work, consider adding an epigraph. It just might set the tone for a literary masterpiece.
In literature, epigraphs have been used for a variety of purposes and can greatly enhance the reader's understanding and experience of the work. Here are two notable examples:
"Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her; If you can bounce high, bounce for her too, Till she cry "Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover, I must have you!"" This epigraph, taken from the poem "Montparnasse" by Thomas Parke D'Invilliers, sets the tone for the novel and foreshadows the character of Gatsby and his pursuit of Daisy.
"Lawyers, I suppose, were children once." This simple epigraph, taken from Charles Lamb's essay "The South-Sea House," serves as a reminder of the humanity behind the seemingly objective profession of law and sets the stage for the novel's exploration of prejudice and justice.