Great literary passages

Great literary passages are memorable excerpts from books that resonate with readers due to their powerful imagery, profound insights, or quality content having subtlety, sarcasm or humour while conveying a deeper message. They often capture universal themes or offer unique perspectives that stay with the reader long after they've finished the book. Here are a few examples of famous and powerful passages from literature. (1) It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. Is the famous phrase from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. It refers to the period of the French Revolution and highlights the stark contrasts and contradictions of that era. This is the full opening paragraph, which sets the tone for the entire novel. (2) Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Is the most famous phrase of Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken". It symbolizes a choice in life, where the speaker chooses the less popular or conventional path. The poem explores themes of decision-making, the impact of choices, and the way we retrospectively interpret our life paths. (3) It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Is the opening phrase of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It's a satirical and ironic statement that reflects the societal pressures and expectations surrounding marriage in 19th-century England, particularly for women. While seemingly stating that a wealthy, single man needs a wife, it subtly highlights that it's society that believes he needs one, and often for financial reasons rather than genuine affection. (5) Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me – The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality. Is a phrase from Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death". The poem personifies Death as a polite suitor, who offers the speaker a carriage ride to eternity. It's a meditation on mortality, acceptance of death, and the journey into the afterlife. (6) The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart. Is a phrase attributed to Helen Keller. It emphasizes that the most profound and meaningful experiences in life, those that truly touch our souls, are not tangible but rather emotional and deeply felt. Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing at a young age, understood the limitations of physical senses and the power of inner perception. Her quote encourages us to look beyond the surface and appreciate the beauty that exists within our hearts and minds. (7) "She had waited all her life for something, and it killed her when it found her" Is a phrase from Zora Neale Hurston's novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God". It's a phrase often associated with the character Annie Tyler, highlighting the destructive nature of love and relationships, particularly when one's expectations are unrealistic or when love is pursued with desperation. (8) To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them. To die: to sleep…” This is a famous phrase from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. It is a soliloquy spoken by Prince Hamlet, where he contemplates the nature of life and death, and whether it is better to endure the hardships of life or to embrace death as a release from suffering. (9) A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others. This phrase is famously spoken by The Wizard to the Tin Man, who believes he has no heart because he can't feel love. The Wizard's words suggest that having a heart is about being capable of inspiring love in others, rather than just feeling love yourself for another. (10 ) Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody. Is a phrase from J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye reflects Holden Caulfield's fear of emotional vulnerability and loss. It suggests that by sharing oneself with others, one risks forming attachments and subsequently experiencing the pain of separation or loss when those relationships change or end.