The Lily of the Valley
The Lily of the Valley is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of a young woman named Lilith who discovers her true identity and purpose in life through a series of magical encounters. The book explores themes of love, loss, and redemption, as well as the power of imagination and creativity.
By George MacDonald · First published 1875 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Inspirational · 155 words
First lines
There is not any weed but hath its shower, There is not any pool but hath its star; And black and muddy though the waters are We may not miss the glory of a flower, And winter moons will give them magic power To spin in cylinders of diamond spar; And everything hath beauty near and far, And keepeth close and waiteth on its hour!
And I, when I encounter on my road A human soul that looketh black and grim, Shall I more ceremonious be than God?
Shall I refuse to watch one hour with him Who once beside our deepest woe did bud A patient watching flower about the brim?
What this Textopian page supports
The Lily of the Valley is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1875 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: 1875 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Inspirational
- Length: 155 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lily of the Valley 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 Lily of the Valley?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep reflections on beauty, nature, and the human soul, indicative of philosophical literature.
- Inspirational — The text conveys uplifting messages about finding beauty and hope in unexpected places, aligning with inspirational literature.
Tags
Christianity · spirituality · faith · redemption · love · forgiveness · suffering · grace · personal growth · morality · friendship · sacrifice