For those who don't know, an epigraph is a quotation or citation at the beginning of the book that is usually relevant to the story is some way!. A few famous examples are listed below!.
From Huckleberry Finn:
"Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot!."
From Frankenstein:
"Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mould me man, Did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote me!?"
***For you Stephanie Meyer fans, she talks about the original epigraph for New Moon on her website!. That will give an idea of what I'm talking about!.
http://www!.stepheniemeyer!.com/nm_outtake!.!.!.So!.!.!.epigraphs!. Why do you think some authors choose to include them!? Are they meant to get the reader's attention!? Maybe used as a foreshadowing mechanism!?
If you don't like that question, what would be the epigraph of YOUR novel
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It depends on whether the epigraph actually _adds_ something to the work!. Ie, having answered a question on it a few days ago, I'm thinking of The Fall of the House of Usher: "His heart is like a suspended lute / Once touched, it sounds!." I think that really _adds_ a layer of meaning to the story!. Or, for using your own work as an epigraph, Robert W!. Chambers' use of the fictional King in Yellow play to start out his work (too long to copy, but link is here--http://www!.chaosbutterfly!.net/library/ki!.!.!. )
The Argentine story that I'm working on has a quote from Borges:
Hard to believe Buenos Aires had any beginning:
I felt it to be as eternal as water and air!.
--Jorge Luis Borges!.
I'm dithering over it though, as I'm not too sure it adds that much (though I do like Borges!.)
The other one I'm considering:
"Shall we burn down the Barrio Norte!? Shall I give you fire!?" -- Eva Perón (by way of V!.S!. Naipaul!.)
To me, this is much more of an action quote!. Which would you pick, if you were me!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
i think epigraghs are really cool, they usually set the mood for the story and give u an idea of whats comming which is fun!. i would definetly have epigraghs in my stories if i find the right ones!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I love epigraphs, they set the tone like a prelude in music!. I do see them as a foreshadowing mechanism!. I think an author may use one for that reason, or to emphasize a point or the theme of the book!. Like in Anna Karenina:
"Vengeance is mine, I shall repay!."
Or maybe to pose a question that the book may address or answer!. Anyways, it gives a reader something to think about! Sometimes I see the epigraph as a clue to the book's deeper meaning!. For example, my favorite epigraph (from Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita):
'!.!.!. who are you, then!?'
'I am part of that power which eternally wills evil and eternally works good!.'Www@QuestionHome@Com