Definition

1. Noun:
   • Epigraph: A short quotation, phrase, or sentence placed at the beginning of a literary work (such as a book, chapter, or poem) to suggest its theme, set a tone, or provide context. It is a literary device used to introduce the reader to the core ideas of the work.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Cuốn tiểu thuyết mở đầu bằng một đề từ trích thơ Xuân Diệu. (The novel begins with an epigraph quoting poetry by Xuân Diệu.)
  • Tác giả đã chọn một câu danh ngôn làm đề từ cho chương sách. (The author chose a proverb as the epigraph for the book chapter.)
  • Đề từ đó gợi lên chủ đề chính của toàn bộ tác phẩm. (That epigraph evokes the main theme of the entire work.)

Advanced Usage

• In academic or critical writing, an "đề từ" can sometimes be analyzed as a key to interpreting the subsequent text. Its source (e.g., from another famous work, a historical document, or a folk saying) is often significant.

Variants and Related Words

• Lời đề từ: Another common term for "epigraph," with the same meaning. It is often used interchangeably with "đề từ."
  • Lời đề từ trong sách của ông rất sâu sắc. (The epigraph in his book is very profound.)

Synonyms

• Epigraph: A quotation at the start of a work.
• Motto: A short phrase expressing a guiding principle, sometimes used similarly at the beginning of a work.
• Inscription: Words written or carved on something, which can overlap in meaning when used as an introductory text.

Related Concepts

• Lời nói đầu / Lời tựa (Preface/Foreword): A longer introductory section written by the author or another person, distinct from a brief epigraph (đề từ).
• Khẩu hiệu (Slogan/Motto): A phrase used in advertising or to represent a group's ideals, not typically used as a literary epigraph.

1. Epigraph