Famous last words

Taken from TODAY, a BBB Radio 4 programme...

 

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

The opening lines of great novels have achieved a literary status all of their own.
Whether 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen' (1984) or 'Call me Ishmael.' (Moby Dick), their resonances have seduced readers down the years.
But what of the last lines of great works of literature? Writer and broadcaster Tom Sutcliffe recently argued that first lines can make an impression without the reader having had read the whole novel - whereas the impression of last lines rests on the preceding pages.
The first line has to arrest the reader, seduce them so they continue with the book - but by the final line the author already has them.

Today has asked our erudite listeners for their thoughts on the best endings from novels. Here is just a sample of your thoughts. Tell us your favourite last words using the form at the bottom of the page. 
 

Has to be the brilliant Great Expectations: "I took her hand in mine, and we went out of the ruined place; and, as the morning mists had risen long ago when I first left the forge, so, the evening mists were rising now, and in all the broad expanse of tranquil light they showed to me, I saw no shadow of another parting from her." David Stanley, Twickenham 
 
I nominate F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby - "So we beat on, boats against the current, drawn back ceaselessly into the past." Mick Chandler, Kenilworth, UK

For me, the greatest finale, although maybe you have to have read the book to quite appreciate its significance, is the ending of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World:
"Just under the crown of the arch dangled a pair of feet.
'Mr Savage'
Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the feet turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-west; the paused, and after a few seconds, turned as unhurriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east ..." Simon Hunter, London

"and yes I said yes I will Yes" James Joyce's Ulysses Florence Minnis, York, UK

"He drew a deep breath. 'Well, I'm back' he said"... so Sam Gamgee ends Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. In understated relief, quintessentially English! Debby Plummer, Manchester UK

... more endings here.

Finally, after reading, listen to the podcast of the radio programme about last lines in a novel.
How are they important?
What do you learn about first and last lines?
Why do people remember them?