A Memorial of Africa by George MacDonald
A Memorial of Africa is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of a young man's journey to discover his true identity and purpose in life. The book explores themes of self-discovery, spirituality, and the search for meaning in a world filled with uncertainty and chaos. Through its vivid descriptions of African landscapes and cultures, as well as its philosophical musings on human nature and existence, A Memorial of Africa offers readers a thought-provoking and inspiring reading experience.
By George MacDonald · First published 1863 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Philosophical · 351 words
First lines
I. Upon a rock I sat -- a mountain-side, / Far, far forsaken of the old sea's lip; / A rock where ancient waters' rise and dip, / Recoil and plunge, eddy, and oscillant tide, / Had worn and worn, while races lived and died, / Involved channels. Where the sea-weed's drip / Followed the ebb, now crumbling lichens sip / Sparse dews of heaven that down with sunset slide. / I sat long-gazing southward. A dry flow / Of withering wind sucked up my drooping strength, / Itself weak from the desert's burning length. / Behind me piled, away and up did go / Great sweeps of savage mountains -- up, away, / Where snow gleams ever, panthers roam, they say.
What this Textopian page supports
A Memorial of Africa is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1863 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: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Philosophical, Spiritual, Historical
- Length: 351 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Memorial of Africa 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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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery, characteristic of poetic works.
- Nature Writing — The vivid descriptions of natural landscapes, such as mountains and the sea, highlight a deep engagement with the natural world.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential and metaphysical questions about creation, time, and the divine, typical of philosophical literature.
- Spiritual — The text reflects on divine presence and creation, indicating a spiritual or religious dimension.
Tags
Africa · memorial · history · culture · colonialism · exploration · travel · landscape · society · identity · heritage · narrative