Power by George MacDonald (1895)
The novel Power, written by George MacDonald, tells the story of a young man named Paul who discovers he has supernatural abilities and must learn to use them for good. The book explores themes of power, responsibility, and morality as Paul navigates his newfound abilities in a world that is not always kind or just.
By George MacDonald · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious · 153 words
First lines
Power that is not of God, however great, Is but the downward rushing and the glare Of a swift meteor that hath lost its share In the one impulse which doth animate The parent mass: emblem to me of fate!
Which through vast nightly wastes doth onward fare, Wild-eyed and headlong, rent away from prayer -- A moment brilliant, then most desolate!
And, O my brothers, shall we ever learn From all the things we see continually That pride is but the empty mockery Of what is strong in man! Not so the stern And sweet repose of soul which we can earn Only through reverence and humility!
What this Textopian page supports
Power is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious, Metaphysical, Didactic
- Length: 153 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Power by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep philosophical concepts such as power, fate, and humility.
- Religious — References to God and prayer suggest a religious or spiritual dimension.
- Metaphysical — The work delves into abstract ideas about the nature of power and existence.
Tags
fantasy · spirituality · morality · redemption · self-discovery · good vs evil · imagination · allegory · character development · mysticism · philosophy · adventure