A Fear by George MacDonald (1895)
The story follows a young man named Robert Falconer who struggles with his faith and fear of death. He meets a mysterious old woman who helps him overcome his fears and find peace in God's love. The book explores themes of spirituality, mortality, and the power of faith.
By George MacDonald · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Nature · 213 words
First lines
O Mother Earth, I have a fear / Which I would tell to thee -- / Softly and gently in thine ear / When the moon and we are three.
Thy grass and flowers are beautiful; / Among thy trees I hide; / And underneath the moonlight cool / Thy sea looks broad and wide;
But this I fear -- lest thou shouldst grow / To me so small and strange, / So distant I should never know / On thee a shade of change,
Although great earthquakes should uplift / Deep mountains from their base, / And thy continual motion shift / The lands upon thy face; --
Similar titles
- The Human by George Macdonald
- Longing by George Macdonald
- Ordeal by George William Russell
- Second Sight by George Macdonald
- Approaches by George Macdonald
- The Watcher by George Macdonald
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
- Nature — The themes and imagery are heavily centered around natural elements like earth, grass, flowers, and the moon.
- Philosophical — The poem explores existential themes and fears about change and perception, indicative of philosophical literature.
Tags
fear · anxiety · psychological · fantasy · spirituality · self-discovery · inner conflict · moral dilemmas · imagination · growth · overcoming obstacles · emotional struggle
What this Textopian page supports
A Fear is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Nature, Philosophical, Romantic
- Length: 213 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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