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!
Similar titles
- Quiet Dead by George Macdonald
- The Mark Of Cain by Carolyn Wells
- The New Tenant by E. Phillips Oppenheim
- Piety by Carolyn Wells
- The Sundial by Fred M. White
- The Man Who Knew by Edgar Wallace
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
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: Easy (6th Grade)
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
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