
The Carpenter by George MacDonald
The Carpenter is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of a young man named Philip who becomes apprenticed to a carpenter named Adam. Through his experiences with Adam and other characters in the book, Philip learns important lessons about life, love, and faith. The book explores themes such as redemption, forgiveness, and the power of love to transform lives.
By George MacDonald · First published 1879 · Genre: Religious, Poetry, Inspirational · 307 words
First lines
0 Lord, at Joseph's humble bench Thy hands did handle saw and plane; Thy hammer nails did drive and clench, Avoiding knot and humouring grain.
That thou didst seem, thou wast indeed, In sport thy tools thou didst not use; Nor, helping hind's or fisher's need, The labourer's hire, too nice, refuse.
What this Textopian page supports
The Carpenter is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1879 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: 1879 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious, Poetry, Inspirational, Philosophical
- Length: 307 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Carpenter 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 The Carpenter?
- 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
Genres
- Religious — The text is imbued with religious themes, referencing biblical figures and expressing a desire for spiritual transformation.
- Poetry — The writing style is poetic, with structured verses and a rhythmic flow.
- Inspirational — The themes focus on personal growth and spiritual aspiration, aiming to inspire the reader.
- Philosophical — The text explores philosophical ideas about purpose and the nature of work.
Tags
faith · spirituality · Christianity · allegory · redemption · forgiveness · love · sacrifice · morality · self-discovery · transformation · hope
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