Hello and welcome to the Discourse. An epigraph is a short quotation, phrase, or excerpt placed at the beginning of a literary work, chapter, or section to introduce a theme, set a tone, or provide context. It often comes from another text—such as a famous book, poem, religious scripture, or historical document—but can also be an original statement by the author. The epigraph serves as a subtle hint or foreshadowing of the ideas explored in the work, inviting readers to reflect on its deeper meaning.
Epigraphs are commonly found in novels, academic papers, essays, and even films. They can be serious, humorous, philosophical, or enigmatic, depending on the author’s intent. By referencing another source, the writer creates an intertextual connection, enriching the reader’s understanding through allusion. For example, a novel about war might open with a quote from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, while a dystopian story could begin with a line from a political manifesto.
The choice of an epigraph is deliberate, offering insight into the writer’s influences or the central message of the work. It acts as a bridge between the reader and the text, setting the stage for the narrative or argument that follows. Whether profound or playful, an epigraph enhances the literary experience by adding layers of meaning before the main content begins.
Why Do Writers Choose to Write Epigraphs?
Writers use epigraphs for a variety of literary and stylistic reasons, each serving to deepen the reader’s engagement with the text. One of the primary purposes of an epigraph is to set the tone or theme of the work. By selecting a poignant quote, a writer can immediately establish a mood—whether solemn, ironic, humorous, or foreboding—before the narrative even begins. For example, a novel about betrayal might open with a line from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, subtly preparing the reader for themes of deceit and ambition.
Another key reason writers include epigraphs is to create intertextual connections, linking their work to other influential texts. This technique invites readers to consider the relationship between the epigraph and the story, adding layers of meaning. A science fiction novel might quote a philosophical treatise, suggesting deeper existential questions beneath its plot. Similarly, an academic paper might begin with a historical quote to frame its argument within a broader intellectual tradition.
Epigraphs can also serve as a form of homage or critique, acknowledging the writers and thinkers who influenced the work. By quoting a famous author, a writer might align themselves with a particular literary tradition or challenge an existing idea. Additionally, some authors use epigraphs to add mystery or intrigue, choosing ambiguous or provocative statements that encourage readers to question and interpret the text more deeply.
Finally, epigraphs can function as a narrative device, foreshadowing events or themes that unfold later in the story. A carefully chosen quote might hint at a character’s fate or the central conflict, rewarding attentive readers who recognize its significance. Whether used for thematic resonance, intellectual depth, or artistic flair, epigraphs enrich a text by offering a doorway into its underlying ideas before the first chapter even begins.
Difference Between Epigraph and Epigram
Although epigraph and epigram sound similar, they serve very different purposes in literature.
An epigraph is a quotation or short text placed at the beginning of a book, chapter, or section to introduce a theme, set a tone, or provide context. It is usually borrowed from another work (such as poetry, religious texts, or historical documents) but can also be an original statement. Epigraphs are passive—they frame the reader’s understanding but do not stand alone as independent works. For example, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby opens with a fictional epigraph: "Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her..."—setting up themes of aspiration and illusion.
An epigram, on the other hand, is a brief, witty, or satirical statement or poem that stands alone as a complete thought. Unlike an epigraph, it is original, self-contained, and often humorous or paradoxical. Epigrams are commonly found in poetry, essays, and even social media (as modern "micropoetry"). For example, Oscar Wilde’s famous epigram: "I can resist everything except temptation."—delivers sharp wit in just a few words.
Important Examples of Epigraphs in Literature:
The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
Epigraph:
"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!'"
– Thomas Parke D’Invilliers (a fictional poet in Fitzgerald’s universe)
Why it’s significant: This epigraph introduces the novel’s themes of obsession, illusion, and the American Dream. The "gold hat" symbolizes Gatsby’s attempts to win Daisy through wealth and grand gestures.
*1984* – George Orwell
Epigraph:
"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."
– The Party’s slogans
Why it’s significant: These paradoxical statements immediately establish the novel’s dystopian world, where propaganda and doublethink dominate society.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
Epigraph:
"Lawyers, I suppose, were children once."
– Charles Lamb
Why it’s significant: This subtle line hints at the novel’s exploration of childhood, morality, and justice—seen through Scout’s innocent perspective as her father, Atticus Finch, defends an innocent man.
The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
Epigraph:
"And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die."
– Genesis 30:1 (The Bible)
Why it’s significant: This biblical reference foreshadows the novel’s themes of fertility, oppression, and women’s desperation in the dystopian Republic of Gilead.
Moby-Dick – Herman Melville
Epigraph:
"And God created great whales."
– Genesis 1:21
Why it’s significant: This brief biblical quote elevates the whale to a mythic, almost divine level, setting the stage for Ahab’s obsessive quest.
The Sun Also Rises – Ernest Hemingway
Epigraph:
"You are all a lost generation."
– Gertrude Stein (quoted in conversation)
Why it’s significant: This phrase defined the disillusionment of post-WWI youth, mirroring the novel’s themes of existential drift and shattered ideals.
The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath
Epigraph:
"The silence depressed me. It wasn’t the silence of silence. It was my own silence."
– Sylvia Plath (original, from her journals)
Why it’s significant: This introspective line foreshadows Esther Greenwood’s mental breakdown and alienation from society.
Frankenstein (1818) by Mary Shelley
Epigraph:
"Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay
To mould me Man? Did I solicit thee
From darkness to promote me?"
— John Milton, Paradise Lost (Book X, 743-745)
Meaning & Significance
This epigraph is spoken by Adam in Paradise Lost after the Fall, as he laments his suffering and questions God’s creation of him. By placing these lines at the opening of Frankenstein, Shelley:
Foreshadows the Creature’s Plight – Like Adam, Victor Frankenstein’s creation is abandoned by his "Maker" and left to suffer in a hostile world. The epigraph mirrors the Creature’s later accusation: "I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel" (referencing Satan).
Challenges the Role of the Creator – The lines question whether a creator has the right to abandon their creation, a central theme in the novel. Victor’s refusal to take responsibility leads to tragedy.
Links to Promethean Ambition – The novel’s subtitle ("The Modern Prometheus") and this epigraph connect Victor to both God (as Creator) and Prometheus (as a reckless rebel), deepening the moral dilemma.
Establishes a Biblical & Mythological Tone – By quoting Milton, Shelley signals that her novel is not just a Gothic horror story but a philosophical exploration of creation, hubris, and morality.
Why Milton’s Paradise Lost?
The Creature later reads Paradise Lost and identifies with both Adam (innocence betrayed) and Satan (vengeful outcast). The epigraph thus prepares the reader for the novel’s tragic arc—where both creator and creation are doomed by pride and abandonment.
Shelley’s choice of epigraph transforms Frankenstein from a mere monster tale into a profound meditation on responsibility, alienation, and the limits of human ambition.
So this is it for today. We will continue to discuss Literary Terms and Devices. Please stay connected with the Discourse. Thanks and Regards!
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