Epigraphs

An Introduction to Epigraphs

The epigraph is simply a well-chosen quotation, set at the beginning of a text. Epigraphs can open essays, books, chapters of a book, or even each story in a book—any writing, really, which suggests its theme. They can, however, do so much more. Chosen well, an epigraph offers the writer a “power” to grab the reader quickly, and efficiently. If editors give the writer just a few opening paragraphs to “sell” their work, it seems to me that the perfect epigraph—short, surgical, brilliant, the first thing seen in the work—is a terrific first contact.

A good epigraph will make the reader want to “open the door” to the writing inside. It will act as a “shadowy third figure,” somewhere between the author and the reader, drawing the reader in by raising interest, expectations, even questions as to what lies ahead. The recipe for a fantastic epigraph: be brief, be funny, be wise.

Epigraphs with Creative Twists

There are many very interesting, and even tricky, deployments of an epigraph. F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby takes a fictional character named D’Invilliers from his first novel, This Side of Paradise, and then quotes that fictional character as the author of the poem he then uses as the epigraph at the beginning of The Great Gatsby.

It sounds complicated, but here it is:

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

As Dennis Johnson, co-founder of Melville House publishers, put it, there is something “devastatingly mischievous” about the subverted power and authority of the fictional epigraph. Very cool. And while there are certain conventions, even “rules,” which the writer should understand, the larger point is simply how much fun a writer can have with the epigraph. But they can also serve important structural needs.

Finding the Perfect Epigraphs

You begin by asking the questions which, when calling on the epigraph, you should. A single, book-wide epigraph? Or how about section epigraphs? Or maybe an epigraph for each section of the story? The answer varies from person to person. You need to harness epigraphic power to build focus. The whole idea was to build a little focus on the topic in which your writing is about.

In your own work, you may be dealing with story ideas that could use a little boost from a few well-chosen epigraphs. Whatever your writing, try a few out, and see what they can do for you. A powerful quote can also serve at the beginning of a writer’s journey as an epigraphic inspiration. However (and whenever) epigraphs come to your writing desk, just have fun with these little miracles. Maybe these two practice challenges will stir your interest.

Have you ever used epigraphs in your writing? How did you choose the perfect ones? Let us know in the comments!