A quality first chapter is a necessary part of any novel. It is what first catches the reader 's eye, therefore it must be the thing to hold the reader 's interest. A first chapter is the reader 's first look into the inside of the plot and the characters within it. A first chapter is an introduction to the things to come. It sets up with the tone, the characters, the setting, and any current or underlying conflict. These qualities can easily be seen and acknowledged in the first chapter of Emma, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre as the author has used the introduction to set the basis for the rest of the novels.
The first chapter of Jane Austen’s Emma opens into the story. It begins at the Woodhouse home, Hartfield, and introduces five different characters to the plotline as well as the tone and conflict. First is Emma Woodhouse herself, a wealthy, attractive, 21 year old and her widower father, Mr. Woodhouse. Next is Miss Taylor who was Emma’s governess for the past 16 years, but was recently …show more content…
In each case the story begins in the home of a prominent character. In Emma it was her home at Hartfield, Wuthering Heights at Mr. Heathcliff 's Thrushcross Grange, and in Jane Eyre the home of her aunt and uncle where she lives. Not only did they push the idea of a general setting they also allowed the title and main characters to be introduced in a casual way as not to overwhelm the reader on their presence. The tone of the three were different, as in Emma it was condescending , Wuthering Heights had a tone of uncertainty, and in Jane Eyre the tone was increasingly confrontational. It was also clear to see in each that conflict would be a large motivator in the plot due to the author 's use of introducing the side and supporting