Foolish Children by George MacDonald
Foolish Children is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of two children who are sent to live with their uncle after their parents' deaths. The book explores themes of grief, loss, and the power of imagination.
By George MacDonald · First published 1872 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Philosophical · 262 words
First lines
Waking in the night to pray, Sleeping when the answer comes, Foolish are we even at play -- Tearfully we beat our drums! Cast the good dry bread away, Weep, and gather up the crumbs!
"Evermore," while shines the day, "Lord," we cry, "thy will be done! " Soon as evening groweth gray, Thy fair will we fain would shun! "Take, oh, take thy hand away! See the horrid dark begun!"
"Thou hast conquered Death," we say, "Christ, whom Hades could not keep! " Then, "Ah, see the pallid clay! Death it is," we cry, "not sleep! Grave, take all. Shut out the Day. Sit we on the ground and weep!"
What this Textopian page supports
Foolish Children is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1872 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: 1872 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious, Philosophical, Children's Literature
- Length: 262 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Foolish Children 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 Foolish Children?
- 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
- Granny Canty by George Macdonald
- The Pinafore by George Macdonald
- Up And Down by George Macdonald
- Clever Alice by Dinah Mulock
- Mirls by George Macdonald
- King Cole by George Macdonald
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Religious — The themes revolve around prayer, divine will, and spiritual struggle, indicating a religious genre.
- Philosophical — The text explores existential themes such as life, death, and the human condition, aligning with philosophical literature.
- Children's Literature — The title and some thematic elements suggest a focus on childlike behavior and learning, relevant to children's literature.
Tags
fantasy · children · adventure · imagination · morality · fairy tale · whimsy · growth · friendship · family · self-discovery · magic