Both the first line & the last line of this 1859 novel begin with “It”
The Final Jeopardy clue for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, appeared in the category “Famous Lines from Literature” and read: “Both the first line & the last line of this 1859 novel begin with ‘It.’” The clue points to one of the most famous opening sentences in English literature, as well as one of the most quoted closing lines of any novel. The correct response is Charles Dickens’ historical novel A Tale of Two Cities.
What Is A Tale of Two Cities?
A Tale of Two Cities begins with the famous line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” That opening has become one of the most recognizable first lines in literature, using contrast to introduce a world of conflict, upheaval, hope, and suffering.
The clue also mentions the last line beginning with “It.” The novel closes with Sydney Carton’s imagined final thought: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done.” That ending is also widely quoted and is central to the emotional power of the novel.
The Meaning of the Opening Line
The first sentence of A Tale of Two Cities sets the tone for the entire book. Dickens uses pairs of opposites to describe the age of revolution, suggesting that the period contained both promise and terror.
The line prepares readers for a story set against the French Revolution, where ideals of justice and liberty collide with violence, revenge, and social breakdown. By beginning with “It,” Dickens immediately frames the time period as something vast, contradictory, and historically important.
The Significance of the Final Line
The final line belongs to Sydney Carton, one of the novel’s most memorable characters. Carton begins the story as a cynical and wasted man, but he ultimately sacrifices himself to save Charles Darnay, the husband of the woman he loves.
His final words give the novel its moral climax. The sentence begins with “It,” just like the opening line, but the meaning has shifted from a broad historical judgment to a personal act of redemption. That parallel makes the clue especially effective.
Charles Dickens and the 1859 Novel
Charles Dickens published A Tale of Two Cities in 1859. Unlike many of his novels, which focus heavily on English social life, this work moves between London and Paris during the revolutionary era.
The title refers to those two cities, but the story is also about divided lives, double identities, political violence, and personal sacrifice. Dickens uses the French Revolution not only as a historical setting but also as a way to explore injustice and the consequences of oppression.
Why This Final Jeopardy Clue Works
This clue works because it asks contestants to recognize a novel through its bookends. Many readers know the opening line of A Tale of Two Cities, but the clue requires connecting it with the closing line as well.
The correct response, A Tale of Two Cities, fits every part of the clue. It was published in 1859, its first line begins with “It,” and its final line also begins with “It.” The clue rewards knowledge of both famous literary quotations and the structure of Dickens’ classic novel.