Epigraph
Literary term · say it EP-ih-graf
An epigraph is a short quotation or saying placed before a book, chapter, or poem. It stands apart from the main text and can suggest a theme, set a mood, or offer an idea to keep in mind while reading.
Where an epigraph appears
Before a whole book
An opening epigraph offers a starting point for thinking about the whole work. Its meaning may become clearer after the ending.
The epigraph to Frankenstein comes from Paradise Lost and raises a question about a creature's relationship with its creator. That question returns when the creature confronts Victor about his suffering.
In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Before a chapter
A chapter epigraph directs attention toward the events or ideas in one section. It may support what follows or suggest a contrast.
The first chapter of Middlemarch opens with an epigraph about the limits placed on women. It prepares readers to meet Dorothea Brooke, whose ambitions reach beyond the life expected of her.
In Middlemarch by George Eliot
How to spot an epigraph
- Look for a short passage set apart before the main text.
- Check for a source or author's name beneath it.
- Connect its central idea with the story that follows.
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What is the difference between an epigraph and an epigram?
An epigraph is an opening quotation or saying, while an epigram is a brief, pointed statement, often witty. The difference is mainly about placement and purpose. An epigram can serve as an epigraph if it appears before a work.
Is an epigraph the same as a dedication?
An epigraph offers an idea for reading the work, while a dedication names someone the work honors. Both may appear before the story begins, but a dedication usually expresses affection or gratitude rather than suggesting a theme.
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