It Was A Dark And Stormy Night Quote
The phrase "it was a dark and stormy night" is one of the most famous opening lines in literature. It is often used to set the tone for a scary or mysterious story. The quote has been used in many different forms of media, from novels to films to cartoons.
Origins of the Quote
The phrase "it was a dark and stormy night" was first used by the English novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his 1830 novel "Paul Clifford." The full sentence reads: "It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness."
The line has since become a cliché and is often used ironically or humorously.
Use in Popular Culture
The quote has been referenced in many different forms of media. In the comic strip "Peanuts," Snoopy is known for beginning his stories with the line "it was a dark and stormy night." The line has also been used in films such as "Blazing Saddles" and "The Peanuts Movie."
The quote has also become a popular writing prompt, with writers challenged to use the line as the beginning of their stories.
Criticism of the Quote
The quote has also received criticism for being melodramatic and clichéd. In fact, the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest was created in 1982 to celebrate humorous and deliberately bad writing, with the goal of writing the worst opening sentence to a novel.
Despite its criticisms, the quote has remained a popular cultural reference and continues to be used in various forms of media.
Conclusion
The phrase "it was a dark and stormy night" may have originated from a novel written in the 19th century, but it has since become a cultural reference that is still used today. Whether it's used seriously or humorously, the quote continues to evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue.