“A novels opening is one of its most crucial moments”. This statement could not be more true for Braddon’s novel, Lady Audley’s Secret. From the first sentence alone, so much is revealed about the setting and sentiment of the object being described. The first word of the story, “It”, provokes you to continue reading and question what is being described. What about “it” is so important? Keep reading and you will find out. The detail and level of description that Braddon implements in just one sentence is powerful.
Once it becomes clear that the author is describing the home and surrounding land of someone, you can begin to understand the feeling associated with the setting. Personally, the ability to visualize what is being described is incredibly useful in being able to connect with a story. The diction of the first sentence reveals so much about the home. Language such as “rich” “luxuriant” and “inquisitively” personify the home, giving it a sophisticated persona. Clearly, the person who inhabits the land is well off and significant in terms of social status.
The plot of land is portrayed beautifully. Tucked away and secluded, the estate is defended by “high hedges” that tower over those passing by. The perfection of the home quickly gains a mysterious feel as the description continues. Those who pass by are confronted by cattle that “look inquisitively at you as you pass, wondering, perhaps, what you wanted”. This transition from a warm, welcoming feeling associated with the property to an unwelcoming atmosphere is very apparent, and to me, hints at what is to come in the novel. I believe that this transition from a pleasant to a bitter ambiance is telling the reader that there will be characters and settings, that are not necessarily what they initially appear to be.
Sentence structure is a major component of a novel’s opening. The first sentence is very long, and is separated into its own paragraph. This puts an emphasis not only on the house, but the people that live there. In the last section of the sentence, the reader is told that “unless you were going to the Court you had no business there at all”. This not only contrasts the beauty of the estate, giving it a hostile sentiment, but also emphasizes the importance of the person living there.