Sweeping the Floor. Cottage Songs
The story follows a young man named Robert who lives with his mother and sister in a small cottage. One day, while sweeping the floor, he discovers a hidden door that leads to a magical world filled with adventure and danger. With the help of some new friends, including a talking cat and a wise old woman, Robert must navigate this strange land and ultimately face off against an evil sorcerer who threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the power of love.
By George MacDonald · First published 1863 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Religious · 146 words
First lines
Sweep and sweep and sweep the floor, Sweep the dust, pick up the pin; Make it clean from fire to door, Clean for father to come in!
Mother said that God goes sweeping, Looking, sweeping with a broom, All the time that we are sleeping, For a shilling in the room:
Did he drop it out of glory, Walking far above the birds?
Or did parson make the story For the thinking afterwards?
What this Textopian page supports
Sweeping the Floor. Cottage Songs is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1863 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: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Religious, Fantasy, Folk
- Length: 146 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Sweeping the Floor. Cottage Songs 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 Sweeping the Floor. Cottage Songs?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The simple language and themes of household chores and imagination suggest it is aimed at a younger audience.
- Religious — The text references God and religious imagery, indicating a spiritual or moral theme.
- Fantasy — The imaginative scenario of God sweeping for a shilling introduces a fantastical element.
Tags
cottage · songs · poetry · folk · nature · rural · nostalgia · simplicity · life · community · tradition · music