Shadows by George MacDonald (1870)
"Shadows", a novel by George MacDonald, tells the story of two young people who are drawn into a world of magic and mystery when they stumble upon an ancient castle. The book explores themes of love, loss, and redemption as the characters navigate their way through this strange new world.
By George MacDonald · First published 1870 · Genre: Religious, Poetry, Philosophical · 194 words
First lines
All things are shadows of thee, Lord; The sun himself is but thy shade; My spirit is the shadow of thy word, A thing that thou hast said.
Diamonds are shadows of the sun, They gleam as after him they hark: My soul some arrows of thy light hath won.
And feebly fights the dark!
All knowledges are broken shades, In gulfs of dark a scattered horde: Together rush the parted glory-grades -- Then, lo, thy garment, Lord!
What this Textopian page supports
Shadows is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1870 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: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious, Poetry, Philosophical
- Length: 194 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Shadows 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 Shadows?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Religious first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Come Down by George Macdonald
- The Chrysalis by George Macdonald
- The Shadows by George Macdonald
- The Holy Snowdrops by George Macdonald
- The Holy Midnight by George Macdonald
- A Cry by George Macdonald
Genres
- Religious — The text is heavily centered on spiritual themes, referencing the divine and the relationship between the soul and the Lord.
- Poetry — The writing style is poetic, with structured verses and a focus on metaphorical language.
- Philosophical — The themes explore abstract concepts such as light, darkness, and the nature of existence.
Tags
fantasy · allegory · spirituality · moral lessons · imagination · self-discovery · light vs darkness · mythical creatures · adventure · childhood · dreams · inner conflict