The Death of the Old Year by George MacDonald
The Death of the Old Year by George MacDonald is a short story about a man who reflects on his life and regrets some of the choices he has made. The story explores themes of regret, redemption, and the passage of time.
By George MacDonald · First published 1867 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Symbolism · 2,122 words
First lines
The weary Old Year is dead at last; / His corpse 'mid the ruins of Time is cast, / Where the mouldering wrecks of lost Thought lie, / And the rich-hued blossoms of Passion die / To a withering grass that droops o'er his grave, / The shadowy Titan's refuge cave.
Strange lights from pale moony Memory lie / On the weedy columns beneath its eye; / And strange is the sound of the ghostlike breeze, / In the lingering leaves on the skeleton trees; / And strange is the sound of the falling shower, / When the clouds of dead pain o'er the spirit lower; / Unheard in the home he inhabiteth, / The land where all lost things are gathered by Death.
Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery, characteristic of poetic form.
- Philosophical — The text explores themes of time, change, and existential reflection, engaging with deep philosophical questions.
- Symbolism — The use of symbolic imagery, such as the Old Year and the Eastern star, conveys deeper meanings beyond the literal text.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on emotion, nature, and individual introspection aligns with Romantic literary traditions.
Tags
reflection · change · time · seasons · life · death · nature · philosophy · transience · celebration · nostalgia · new beginnings
What this Textopian page supports
The Death of the Old Year is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1867 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: 1867 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Symbolism, Romanticism, Allegory
- Length: 2,122 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Death of the Old Year by George MacDonald
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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