Master and Boy by George MacDonald
The Master and Boy is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of a young boy named David Elginbrod who is taken in by a wealthy man named Mr. Henry Merton after his father's death. The book explores themes of love, faith, and redemption as David learns to navigate life under the guidance of his new master.
By George MacDonald · First published 1875 · Genre: Poetry, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 195 words
First lines
"WHO is this little one lying,"
Said Time, "at my garden-gate, Moaning and sobbing and crying, Out in the cold so late?"
"They lurked until we came near, Master and I," the child said, "Then caught me, with 'Welcome, New-year!
Happy Year! Golden-head!'
What this Textopian page supports
Master and Boy is listed on Textopian as a short story by George MacDonald, dated 1875 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1875 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Allegory
- Length: 195 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Master and Boy 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 Master and Boy?
- How does this short story 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 rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements such as personifications of Time and Christmas, which are not grounded in reality.
- Children's Literature — The themes and style suggest a story suitable for children, with simple language and a focus on imaginative elements.
- Allegory — The story uses symbolic figures and events to convey deeper meanings about time and the passage of the year.
Tags
adventure · friendship · growth · mentorship · fantasy · coming of age · self-discovery · imagination · loyalty · courage · moral lessons · victorian literature