The Dead Hand by George MacDonald
The Dead Hand is a novel by George MacDonald that explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. The story follows the life of a young woman named Margaret who must navigate her way through a series of difficult circumstances after losing her husband in a tragic accident. Along the way, she encounters a cast of colorful characters who help her to find meaning and purpose in her life once again.
By George MacDonald · First published 1865 · Genre: Gothic, Fantasy, Horror · 335 words
First lines
The witch lady walked along the strand, Heard a roaring of the sea, On the edge of a pool saw a dead man's hand, Good thing for a witch lady!
Lightly she stepped across the rocks, Came where the dead man lay: Now pretty maid with your merry mocks, Now I shall have my way!
What this Textopian page supports
The Dead Hand is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1865 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: 1865 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic, Fantasy, Horror, Poetry, Romance
- Length: 335 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Dead Hand 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 The Dead Hand?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Gothic first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Gothic — The presence of supernatural elements, a witch, and a dark, eerie atmosphere are characteristic of Gothic literature.
- Fantasy — The inclusion of magical elements, such as spells and enchanted objects, aligns with the fantasy genre.
- Horror — The themes of death, the supernatural, and the macabre contribute to a sense of horror.
- Poetry — The narrative is presented in a poetic form, with rhyme and meter, typical of poetry.
Tags
mystery · suspense · thriller · crime · detective · murder · investigation · psychological · dark · intrigue · secrets · tension