Legend has it that Oscar Wilde’s last words were “Either the wallpaper goes, or I do.” Unfortunately, the offensive wallpaper outlived Wilde—and his last remark has also outlived him and become part of literary history. In a great novel, a character’s last words can cover a vast range of emotions: despair, spite, hope, anger, peace. They are the words that stick with us long after the character is gone and the book is closed. We have collected some of our favorite famous last words here—the epic final utterances of characters who, despite their deaths, are immortal in our hearts. Be warned—if you haven’t read these books, spoilers ahead!
Famous Last Words: Parting Lines From Our Favorite Characters
The Fellowship of the Ring
“Fly, you fools!” —Gandalf the Grey
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A Tale of Two Cities
“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” —Sydney Carton
A Tale of Two Cities
“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” —Sydney Carton
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The Princess Bride
"Fool!...You fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia,' but only slightly less well known is this: 'Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line.'" —Vizzini
The Princess Bride
If Your Favorite Character is Dustin Henderson
In the mind of “Toothless,” his best friend didn’t almost die. His comrade was captured by a monster, thus his band of merry adventurers went on a quest to rescue him. For more eccentric goofballs in perilous situations, try the book that preceded the classic movie “The Princess Bride.”
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Moby Dick
“Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale! Thus, I give up the spear!” —Captain Ahab
Moby Dick
“Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale! Thus, I give up the spear!” —Captain Ahab
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Romeo and Juliet
“A plague o’ both your houses!/They have made worms’ meat of me: I have it,/And soundly too. Your houses!” —Mercutio
Romeo and Juliet
“A plague o’ both your houses!/They have made worms’ meat of me: I have it,/And soundly too. Your houses!” —Mercutio
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The Godfather
“Life is so beautiful.” —Vito Corleone
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The Lottery
On Sarah Jane’s wish list
THE LOTTERY has always been a favorite of mine, so when I heard that it was being adapted into a graphic novel by Shirley Jackson’s own grandson, I was hooked. I can’t wait to see a fresh, visual interpretation of the iconic story.
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The Most Dangerous Game
“Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On guard, Rainsford.” —General Zaroff
The Most Dangerous Game
“Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On guard, Rainsford.” —General Zaroff
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Of Mice and Men
“Le’s do it now. Le’s get that place now.” —Lennie Small
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Peter Pan
“All children, except one, grow up.”
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The Great Gatsby
Some consider it “the great American novel.” The story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his powerful love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan is an exquisitely crafted tale that has been essential reading since it was published.
Read the full review here.
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