The Herd and the Mavis
The Herd and the Mavis is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of two young people who fall in love despite their different social classes. The book explores themes of class, identity, and self-discovery as the characters navigate their way through life.
By George MacDonald · First published 1856 · Genre: Poetry, Fable, Folklore · 507 words
First lines
"What gars ye sing," said the herd-laddie, "What gars ye sing sae lood?"
"To tice them oot o' the yerd, laddie, The worms for my daily food."
What this Textopian page supports
The Herd and the Mavis is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1856 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: 1856 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Fable, Folklore, Fantasy, Philosophical
- Length: 507 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Herd and the Mavis 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 Herd and the Mavis?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Lark And The Wind by George Macdonald
- The Boy And The Skylark A Fable by Charles Lamb
- Mirls by George Macdonald
- Reciprocity by George Macdonald
- To Morrow by George Macdonald
- Time And Tide by George Macdonald
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Fable — The narrative involves animals with human-like dialogue, suggesting a moral or lesson, typical of fables.
- Folklore — The use of dialect and traditional themes aligns with elements of folklore.
- Fantasy — The dialogue between a bird and a human, and the magical elements like drawing the dead, suggest a fantasy genre.
Tags
fantasy · allegory · morality · nature · friendship · adventure · imagination · spirituality · growth · innocence · wisdom · conflict