Literary Devices in Epigraph ✍️

What is an Epigraph? 📖

An epigraph (pronounced ˈe-pə-ˌgraf) is a quotation, poem, or phrase placed at the beginning of a document, book, or chapter. Writers use epigraphs to provide a preview of the themes, set the tone, or offer insight into the content that follows.

Contents

How Writers Use Epigraphs ✍️

Epigraphs can serve various purposes in writing, such as:

Foreshadowing: Hinting at themes or events to come.
Setting the Tone: Establishing the mood or atmosphere.
Enhancing Themes: Providing deeper insight into the text’s main ideas.
Connecting Works: Drawing parallels with other works or ideas.

Types of Epigraphs 📝

Type	Example	Usage
Literary	“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina	To introduce the theme of family dynamics.
Philosophical	“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates	To provoke thought about the meaning of life.
Historical	“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” – Martin Luther King Jr.	To emphasize the impact of history on individuals.
Humorous	“I can resist everything except temptation.” – Oscar Wilde	To add a touch of wit and humor.

Epigraph Rules 📏

Rule	Explanation
Relevance	The epigraph should relate to the main themes or ideas of the text.
Brevity	Keep it short and impactful.
Attribution	Properly attribute the source of the epigraph.
Placement	Place the epigraph at the beginning of the work or chapter.
Integration	Ensure the epigraph enhances the reader’s understanding of the text.

Examples in Literature, Poetry, Songs, Movies, and Advertising

Epigraph in Literature 📚

Epigraphs are often used in literature to introduce key themes or ideas. Here are some famous examples:

Author	Work	Epigraph
F. Scott Fitzgerald	The Great Gatsby	“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
Mary Shelley	Frankenstein	“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
T.S. Eliot	The Waste Land	“Nam Sibyllam quidem Cumis ego ipse oculis meis vidi in ampulla pendere, et cum illi pueri dicerent: Σίβυλλα τί θέλεις; respondebat illa: ἀποθανεῖν θέλω.” – Petronius, Satyricon

Epigraph in Children’s Books 📖

Even in children’s literature, epigraphs can set the stage for the story:

Author	Work	Epigraph
Lemony Snicket	A Series of Unfortunate Events	“In this book, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning and very few happy things in the middle.” – Lemony Snicket
J.K. Rowling	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows	“Death is but the next great adventure.” – J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Philip Pullman	The Golden Compass	“The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” – Eden Phillpotts

Epigraph in Poetry ✒️

Poets use epigraphs to add depth and context to their verses:

Poet	Poem	Epigraph
T.S. Eliot	The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock	“S’io credesse che mia risposta fosse A persona che mai tornasse al mondo, Questa fiamma staria senza piu scosse. Ma perciocche giammai di questo fondo Non torno vivo alcun, s’i’odo il vero, Senza tema d’infamia ti rispondo.” – Dante, Inferno
Sylvia Plath	Lady Lazarus	“Dying Is an art, like everything else. I do it exceptionally well.” – Sylvia Plath
Anne Sexton	For the Love of God	“For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.” – Christopher Smart, Jubilate Agno

Epigraph in Songs 🎶

Songwriters use epigraphs to set the tone and theme for their music:

Artist	Song	Epigraph
Radiohead	2 + 2 = 5	“We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Bob Dylan	Desolation Row	“And Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot Fighting in the captain’s tower While calypso singers laugh at them And fishermen hold flowers.”
The Beatles	Because	“Because the world is round it turns me on.”

Epigraph in Movies 🎬

Epigraphs in movies can create a profound impact right from the beginning:

Movie	Scene	Epigraph
Apocalypse Now	Opening credits	“The horror, the horror.” – Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness
Dead Poets Society	Opening scene	“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.” – Robert Herrick, To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
The Road	Opening scene	“Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current where the white edges of their fins wimpled softly in the flow.” – Cormac McCarthy

Gather ye rosebuds – Dead Poets Society

The horror – Apocalypse Now

Trout in the streams – The Road

Epigraph in Advertising 📢

Marketers sometimes use epigraphs to add depth to their campaigns:

Brand	Ad Campaign	Epigraph
Apple	Think Different	“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes…”
Nike	Find Your Greatness	“Greatness is not some rare DNA strand, not some precious thing. Greatness is no more unique to us than breathing.”
Guinness	Made of More	“The choices we make reveal the true nature of our character.”

Here’s to the crazy ones – Apple

Find Your Greatness – Nike

Made of More – Guinness

FAQs about Epigraph

What is an epigraph in literature? 🤔

An epigraph is a quotation, poem, or phrase placed at the beginning of a document, book, or chapter to introduce themes or set the tone.

How do you write a good epigraph? 🖊️

To write a good epigraph, choose a relevant and impactful quotation, keep it brief, properly attribute the source, and ensure it enhances the reader’s understanding of the text.

Can epigraphs be used in non-fiction? 📘

Yes, epigraphs can be effectively used in non-fiction to set the stage for the content and provide context or thematic insight.

Are epigraphs necessary? ❓

While not necessary, epigraphs can add depth, context, and a richer reading experience, making them a valuable tool for writers.

Related Devices 📚

Quotation

A direct citation from another text, often used to support an argument or provide additional insight.

Motto

short phrase that encapsulates the beliefs or ideals of an individual, group, or institution.

Aphorism

A concise statement that contains a general truth or observation, similar to an epigram.

Preface

An introduction to a book or other written work, typically stating its subject, scope, or aims.

By mastering the use of epigraphs, you can add depth and richness to your writing, making it more engaging and thought-provoking! 🌟