Death and Birth. a Symbol
The story follows a man who encounters Death and Birth, two personified figures, on his journey through life. The author uses these symbols to explore the themes of mortality, renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence.
By George MacDonald · First published 1863 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical Fiction, Religious Fiction · 3,791 words
First lines
[Sidenote: _He looks from his window on the midnight town._]
'Tis the midnight hour; I heard The city clocks give out the word.
What this Textopian page supports
Death and Birth. a Symbol 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, Philosophical Fiction, Religious Fiction, Symbolism, Mysticism
- Length: 3,791 words
- Structure: 1 section, 127 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Death and Birth. a Symbol by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Death and Birth. a Symbol?
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Similar titles
- The Priest Of Spring by G. K. Chesterton
- Consider The Ravens by George Macdonald
- Death And Birth by George Macdonald
- In The Womb by George William Russell
- Fish Creatures by D. H. Lawrence
- Immortality by George William Russell
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetic works.
- Philosophical Fiction — Explores deep philosophical themes such as truth, beauty, and the nature of existence.
- Religious Fiction — Contains religious imagery and themes, including references to God, Christ, and spiritual rebirth.
- Symbolism — Uses symbolic language and imagery to convey complex ideas and emotions.
Tags
symbolism · life · death · rebirth · philosophy · spirituality · existence · transformation · metaphor · narrative · literature · human experience