The Novel: Beginnings- Epigraph

Definition: A phrase, quotation or poem that is set out at the beginning.

The epigraph is used to stir the reader into a certain direction by using another authors words to hint at the story. Hardy used the epigraph (Tess of the D'Ubervilles) to hint to the audience that the main character will have her reputation ruined, and will not find absolution. However the quote from Shakespeare, "Poor wounded name! My bosom as a bed shall lodge thee" Seems to be an indication that the novel is serving as the main characters "bed" in which her case is argued. The epigraph is hinting to the reader that the novel provides the only redemption that the character Tess can ever have which hints to the reader that they should be sensitive.

Literary theorist Gerard Genette called it the 'password of intellectuality,' as it can often require the reader to have some degree of literary knowledge, therefore could be deemed as a test of the readers intellectual knowledge.