The New Year by George MacDonald
The New Year is a novel by George MacDonald that follows the story of a young man named Paul Faber who struggles with his faith and identity. The book explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and self-discovery as Paul navigates through various challenges in his life.
By George MacDonald · First published 1875 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious · 93 words
First lines
Be welcome, year! with corn and sickle come; Make poor the body, but make rich the heart: What man that bears his sheaves, gold-nodding, home, Will heed the paint rubbed from his groaning cart!
Nor leave behind thy fears and holy shames, Thy sorrows on the horizon hanging low -- Gray gathered fuel for the sunset-flames When joyous in death's harvest-home we go.
What this Textopian page supports
The New Year 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, Religious, Pastoral
- Length: 93 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The New Year 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 New Year?
- 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
- On New Years Day by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- New Years Day by Charles Kingsley
- Characters The New Year by Charles Dickens
- The Death Of The Old Year by George Macdonald
- The House Of Christmas by G. K. Chesterton
- The Years End by Dinah Mulock
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential and philosophical ideas about life, death, and the passage of time.
- Religious — The text includes references to spiritual and religious concepts, such as 'holy shames' and 'death's harvest-home.'
- Pastoral — Imagery related to agriculture and nature, such as 'corn and sickle' and 'sheaves,' is prominent.
Tags
new beginnings · reflection · hope · change · celebration · tradition · family · resolutions · time · growth · self-improvement · optimism