The Human by George MacDonald (1895)
The Human is a novel by George MacDonald that explores the nature of humanity and the relationship between science and religion. The story follows a scientist named Dr. Henry Faber who creates a machine that can read minds, but he soon discovers that his invention has unintended consequences. As he becomes more involved with the machine, he begins to question his own beliefs about what it means to be human.
By George MacDonald · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Spiritual · 157 words
First lines
Within each living man there doth reside, In some unrifled chamber of the heart, A hidden treasure: wayward as thou art I love thee, man, and bind thee to my side!
By that sweet act I purify my pride And hasten onward -- willing even to part With pleasant graces: though thy hue is swart, I bear thee company, thou art my guide!
Even in thy sinning wise beyond thy ken To thee a subtle debt my soul is owing!
I take an impulse from the worst of men That lends a wing unto my onward going; Then let me pay them gladly back again With prayer and love from Faith and Duty flowing!
What this Textopian page supports
The Human is listed on Textopian as a novel by George MacDonald, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Spiritual, Romantic
- Length: 157 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Human 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 Human?
- How does this novel by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Souls Rising by George Macdonald
- No Sign by George Macdonald
- Thou Also by George Macdonald
- To The Same by George Macdonald
- The True by George Macdonald
- Come Down by George Macdonald
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep reflections on human nature, morality, and the interconnectedness of individuals.
- Spiritual — The text includes elements of faith, duty, and the moral obligations of individuals, suggesting a spiritual dimension.
- Romantic — The language and themes express a deep affection and idealization of humanity, aligning with romantic ideals.
Tags
fantasy · philosophy · spirituality · allegory · moral · self-discovery · humanity · redemption · love · sacrifice · faith · imagination