The Mermaid by George MacDonald
The Mermaid is a fairy tale written by George MacDonald and published in 1863. It tells the story of a young man named Harry who falls in love with a mermaid named Lorelei. The book explores themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption as Harry struggles to choose between his human life and his love for Lorelei.
By George MacDonald · First published 1863 · Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Poetry · 840 words
First lines
Up cam the tide wi' a burst and a whush, And back gaed the stanes wi' a whurr; The king's son walkit i' the evenin hush, To hear the sea murmur and murr.
Straucht ower the water slade frae the mune A glimmer o' cauld weet licht; Ane o' her horns rase the water abune, And lampit across the nicht.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mermaid is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1863 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: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Poetry, Folklore, Tragedy
- Length: 840 words
- Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mermaid 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 Mermaid?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Sun And Moon by George Macdonald
- The Diver by George Macdonald
- A Gift by George Macdonald
- The Holy Snowdrops by George Macdonald
- Summer by George Macdonald
- The Moon by George Macdonald
Genres
- Fantasy — The presence of mermaids and magical elements places the story firmly within the fantasy genre.
- Romance — The narrative centers around the relationship between the prince and the mermaid, highlighting themes of love and marriage.
- Poetry — The text is written in a poetic form, using rhyme and meter to convey the story.
- Folklore — The story draws on traditional folklore elements, such as mythical creatures and moral lessons.
Tags
fantasy · mythology · mermaids · adventure · magic · fairy tale · love · transformation · ocean · nature · innocence · sacrifice