Galileo by George MacDonald (1897)
Galileo is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of Galileo Galilei and his struggles with the Catholic Church over his scientific discoveries. The book explores themes of faith, reason, and authority in a way that challenges readers to think critically about their own beliefs.
By George MacDonald · First published 1897 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Poetry, Philosophical · 168 words
First lines
"And yet it moves! " Ah, Truth, where wert thou then When all for thee they racked each piteous limb?
Wert thou in heaven, and busy with thy hymn When those poor hands convulsed that held thy pen?
Art thou a phantom that deceives! men To their undoing? or dost thou watch him Pale, cold, and silent in his dungeon dim?
And wilt thou ever speak to him again?
What this Textopian page supports
Galileo is listed on Textopian as an essay by George MacDonald, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Poetry, Philosophical, Drama
- Length: 168 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Galileo 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 Galileo?
- How does this essay by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Fount Of Science by Charles Kingsley
- Credulity No Criterion by George Bernard Shaw
- The Tree Of Knowledge by Charles Kingsley
- Science by Charles Kingsley
- My Shipmate Columbus by Stephen Marlowe
- Pioneers O Pioneers by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The text references historical events and figures, particularly related to Galileo's life and struggles.
- Poetry — The writing style is poetic, with structured verses and a focus on lyrical expression.
- Philosophical — Themes of truth, knowledge, and existential questioning are central to the narrative.
- Drama — The emotional and dramatic portrayal of conflict and suffering is evident in the text.
Tags
science · philosophy · astronomy · Renaissance · innovation · conflict · faith · reason · truth · humanism · empiricism · intellect