David Copperfield Quotes
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Source: David Copperfield
Author: Charles Dickens
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.
Context
David Copperfield just wants to tell you his life story.
So here goes, right?
You're looking at the first line of a book in which the narrator and protagonist (and sort of the author, since the novel is semi-autobiographical) prefaces the story we are about to read with a question of heroics.
We as readers can't answer the question yet (or really know its significance, for that matter), but we do get a look into the mind of D.C. since it apparently matters very much to him.
Only 973 more pages to go.
Where you've heard it
You may have heard this quote when anyone's about to tell you a super long story about his or her life.
So, you know, get comfy.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
We have to admire this quote for its down-to-earth honesty. Just stay away from quoting Steerforth, and you'll do fine.