UniversalWolf said:I don't understand how something like this merits the list:
It's supposed to be a great opening line, which means it ought to have some meaning in and of itself with no reference to anything else. Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself? - it means nothing on it's own. I can think of 100 better opening lines than that. It doesn't even paint an interesting picture.37. Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself. —Virginia Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway (1925)
There are several on the list of a similar nature.
Imagine you're a woman. She's buying flowers! It instantly makes you interested. The fact that she says she will buy them herself surely indicates that there is to be a wedding or some other joyous occation. You're almost crying already.