A Dream Within a Dream
A Dream Within a Dream is a novel by George MacDonald that explores the themes of dreams and reality. The story follows a young man named David Elginbrod who discovers he has the ability to enter other people's dreams. As he navigates this newfound power, he encounters various characters and situations that challenge his understanding of what is real and what is not. Throughout the novel, MacDonald explores the nature of consciousness and the relationship between the mind and the physical world. The book has been praised for its imaginative storytelling and philosophical depth.
By George MacDonald · First published 1870 · Genre: Fantasy, Poetry, Philosophical Fiction · 7,297 words
First lines
THE OUTER DREAM.
Young, as the day's first-born Titanic brood, Lifting their foreheads jubilant to heaven, Rose the great mountains on my opening dream.
What this Textopian page supports
A Dream Within a Dream is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1870 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Poetry, Philosophical Fiction, Romanticism, Allegory
- Length: 7,297 words
- Structure: 1 section, 105 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Dream Within a Dream by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Dream Within a Dream?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- But I Prefer Dreaming by Jorge Luis Borges
- Illusion by George William Russell
- The Dream by George William Russell
- Recall by George William Russell
- The Nightmare by G. K. Chesterton
- Alter Ego by George William Russell
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative contains dream-like sequences and fantastical elements that transport characters to otherworldly realms.
- Poetry — The text is written in a poetic style, with rich imagery and rhythmic language.
- Philosophical Fiction — The work explores deep philosophical themes such as the nature of dreams, reality, and the human condition.
- Romanticism — The narrative emphasizes emotion, nature, and individualism, characteristic of Romantic literature.
Tags
dream · reality · imagination · fantasy · philosophy · existentialism · self-discovery · illusion · narrative · symbolism · metaphor · consciousness