After the Fashion of an Old Emblem
The story follows a young man named Ralph who becomes entangled in the world of fashion and its superficiality. He meets a mysterious woman named Lady Adelaide, who introduces him to a group of people known as "the Fashionables." As he becomes more involved with them, he realizes that their lifestyle is not what it seems and that they are hiding dark secrets. Ralph must decide whether to continue following the fashion or to break free from its grip.
By George MacDonald · First published 1865 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious · 380 words
First lines
I have long enough been working down in my cellar, Working spade and pick, boring-chisel and drill; I long for wider spaces, airy, clear-dark, and stellar: Successless labour never the love of it did fill.
More profit surely lies in a holy, pure quiescence, In a setting forth of cups to catch the heavenly rain, In a yielding of the being to the ever waiting presence, In a lifting of the eyes upward, homeward again!
What this Textopian page supports
After the Fashion of an Old Emblem is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1865 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: 1865 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious, Symbolism, Fantasy
- Length: 380 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for After the Fashion of an Old Emblem 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 After the Fashion of an Old Emblem?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and imagery, characteristic of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential and spiritual concepts, reflecting a philosophical inquiry into life and purpose.
- Religious — The work contains spiritual and religious imagery, suggesting a connection to divine or transcendent experiences.
- Symbolism — The use of metaphors and symbols, such as the windmill and diamond-drill, conveys deeper meanings beyond the literal text.
Tags
fantasy · allegory · spirituality · moral lessons · imagination · Victorian literature · narrative · symbolism · character development · philosophy · mysticism · adventure