I started to read a book. In first pages It says:
"A Series of Unfortunate Events
Book the First
The Bad Beginning"
Why it says "Book the First" instead of "The First Book"? Is there any note about these kind of forms?
3
-
1It would appear that Charles Dickens' Hard Times is divided in a similar fashion: sparknotes.com/lit/hardtimes– Micah WindsorCommented Sep 5, 2020 at 3:18
-
1It's a stylistic choice. I'm familiar with these books, they have a polished style with humourously absurd situations. So "Book The First" means the same thing as "The First Book" but sounds more old-fashioned in a prim and proper way.– mjjfCommented Sep 5, 2020 at 5:10
-
1HG Wells used 'Chapter the First' and I have seen 'Part the First' as well.– Michael HarveyCommented Sep 5, 2020 at 6:20
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
It is a deliberate stylistic choice, it sounds serious, but usually intended ironically. Some Old English books have titles like this, using Old English grammar. It is a joke
For example Lewis Carroll divided his nonsense poem "The Hunting of the Snark" as "Fit the First", "Fit the Second". It is a joke to use titles from Ancient Saxon poetry in a joke poem about hunting an imaginary creature. (for the snark was a boojum, you see). This style was also used in Victorian times by authors like Charles Dickens.
The author of the "series of unfortunate events" is also using this fake-serious style as a joke. It suggests that the book is a classic from 150 years ago, which is the style that the author wants to give.
