What is an Epigraph? Purpose, Usage, Format, History, and All You Need to Know!

Do you have a favourite book that has inspired you as a writer? If so, think about including a quote from it at the beginning of your book as an epigraph. Epigraphs can give readers an idea of the themes and subjects in your story and set the context for what they’re about to read. Let us tell you more about it.

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What is an Epigraph?

An epigraph is a quote from another book or poem placed under the title at the start of a poem or section of a poem. For example, Grace Schulman’s “American Solitude” starts with a quote from an essay by Marianne Moore. Lines from Phillis Wheatley’s “On Being Brought from Africa to America” are at the beginning of Alfred Corn’s “Sugar Cane.”

Epigraphs often go unnoticed in literary works because they’re part of the “front matter,” preceding the main text. Readers can easily overlook them. Moreover, the connection between the epigraph and the text isn’t always explicit; authors rarely explain its significance. Therefore, it’s left to the reader to interpret how the epigraph relates to the text, which often becomes clear only after finishing the entire work and understanding its themes. Epigraphs serve as the reader’s initial clue about the themes of the upcoming work.

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What is the Purpose of an Epigraph?

An epigraph can serve many purposes in both fiction and nonfiction works. They can give readers a hint about what the book will cover. Authors often use epigraphs to introduce big themes they will explore later or to provide background information to help readers understand the book better.

People often confuse Epigraphs with Epigrams. However, they are different. Let us tell you about it.

What is the Difference Between Epigraphs and Epigrams?

Epigrams and epigraphs, despite their similar-sounding names, serve distinct purposes in literature.

An epigram is a concise and often witty statement, found in verse, that conveys a singular observation or thought, often ending with a punchline or satirical twist. It can be a short poem, a part of a longer poem, or even a sentence from prose.

On the other hand, an epigraph is specifically a quotation placed at the beginning of a literary work or a chapter. It is drawn from another text. Its role is to introduce themes, provide context, or set the tone for what follows. It offers readers a preview or deeper insight into the forthcoming content.

While some epigraphs may show characteristics of epigrams—like Harper Lee’s quote in “To Kill a Mockingbird”—others, such as Ernest Hemingway’s use in “The Sun Also Rises,” serve different narrative functions, focusing more on thematic emphasis than on wit or satire.

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History of the Epigraph

Epigraphs became popular in Europe during the early 18th century with the rise of a literate middle class. Before this, being literate meant being familiar with classical writers like Ovid, Homer, and Virgil. Authors didn’t need epigraphs because readers could make connections on their own.

As more people began to read, writers started using epigraphs to help new readers understand the links between different works. This way, readers could see the literary connections the authors intended.

Over time, the use of epigraphs has expanded. Now, they are used not just to connect works but also to set the tone, introduce themes, or provide context. For example, in Francis Ellen Watkins Harper’s “The Revel,” a Bible quote sets the tone and is repeated throughout the poem. Other poems with epigraphs include “One Vote” by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, “Practice Standing Unleashed and Clean” by Patricia Smith, and “Lament of Submerged Persons” by Sasha Pimentel.

What is the Format of an Epigraph?

• Placement: Best placed on the page before the text or at the top of a chapter.
• Attribution: Always mention the name of the person who made the quote or saying.
• Formatting Styles: Make the epigraph text different from the rest of the text. Common methods include using italics or a different font. Shorter epigraphs are often italicized. Align the epigraph to the left margin and indent it to set it apart.
• Length: Keep it short — a couple of lines or a small paragraph at most.
• If needed, provide brief background information to help readers understand the context.

Examples of Epigraphs in Literature

There are many well-known examples of epigraphs in literature. Here are a few notable ones:

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: “Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay / To mould me, Man, did I solicit thee / From darkness to promote me?” – Paradise Lost.
• To Kill a Mockingbird: by Harper Lee: “Lawyers, I suppose, were children once.” —Charles Lamb
• The Godfather by Mario Puzo: “Behind every great fortune, there is a crime.” —Balzac
• The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway: “You are all a lost generation.” – Gertrude Stein

These quotes set the tone and context for the stories that follow. Let us explain that to you briefly. For instance, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.

Atwood’s dystopian classic begins with three epigraphs, one of which includes a passage from the Old Testament.

• 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.

• And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

• And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.

Genesis 30:1-3

Those familiar with Atwood’s novel (or the popular TV show) might recognise how this epigraph operates on multiple levels. Firstly, on a literal level, it foreshadows the dystopian world of the book, where servants are compelled to bear children for their masters. Secondly, by beginning with a passage from the Bible, it introduces the theme of characters driven by religious tones.

Later on, as we learn in Atwood’s dystopian world that contemporary women are enslaved for their reproductive abilities, we can reflect on this epigraph to understand that the leaders of Gilead likely drew inspiration from the Book of Genesis.

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How You Can Use an Epigraph in Your Book?

There are many reasons to use epigraphs. If you’re thinking about including one in your book, here are some tips to help you choose the perfect quote:

Look for thematic relevance

Find books with themes that overlap with yours. Referencing a book with similar themes can give readers a hint about what to expect.

Establish necessary information

Sometimes, an epigraph can provide important background or context about your book’s subject or time period.

Reference related works

If you mention certain works later in your book or in your title, consider including a quote from those works as an epigraph. This can create a connection and add depth to your writing.

Wrapping Up

To sum up, an epigraph is not just a decorative element in literature; it gives depth and meaning to the author’s work. As writers, it’s important to choose the quote and its placement carefully, based on thorough research. Epigraphs add depth to the narrative and help explain it beautifully to readers.

They provide historical and cultural insights and evoke emotions in readers, making them a valuable tool in writing. If you need help analysing an epigraph in poetry or academic writing, highly qualified experts from the Go Assignemnt Help can help you out with literary analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an example of an epigraph?

A: To Kill a Mockingbird: by Harper Lee: “Lawyers, I suppose, were children once.” —Charles Lamb.

Q: Is an epigraph a quote?

A: A quote from another book or poem placed under the title at the start of a poem or section of a poem is called an epigraph.

Q: When should I use epigraphs?

A: Authors often use epigraphs to introduce big themes they will explore later or to provide background information to help readers understand the book better.