
A Prisoner by George MacDonald
A Prisoner is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of a young man named Paul who is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. The book explores themes of justice, redemption, and the power of love to transform lives. It is considered one of MacDonald's most powerful works and has been praised for its insightful commentary on human nature.
By George MacDonald · First published 1864 · Genre: Poetry, Symbolism, Philosophical · 72 words
First lines
The hinges are so rusty The door is fixed and fast; The windows are so dusty The sun looks in aghast: Knock out the glass, I pray, Or dash the door away, Or break the house down bodily, And let my soul go free!
What this Textopian page supports
A Prisoner is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1864 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: 1864 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Symbolism, Philosophical, Gothic
- Length: 72 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Prisoner by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Prisoner?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Symbolism — The imagery of rusty hinges and dusty windows suggests deeper symbolic meanings related to confinement and liberation.
- Philosophical — Themes of freedom and the soul indicate a philosophical exploration of existential concepts.
- Gothic — The description of a decaying, imprisoning structure aligns with Gothic elements of decay and entrapment.
Tags
imprisonment · freedom · redemption · spirituality · self-discovery · conflict · suffering · hope · faith · morality · inner struggle · philosophy
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