The Old Castle by George MacDonald
The Old Castle is a fantasy novel written by George MacDonald and published in 1875. The story follows the adventures of two children, Diamond and Nanny, who are transported to a magical world inside an old castle. Along the way, they encounter various creatures and characters, including a talking cat named Mr. Tanglefoot and a wise old man named North Wind. As they explore the castle and its surroundings, they learn valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and the power of imagination. The book is considered a classic of children's literature and has been praised for its imaginative storytelling and timeless themes.
By George MacDonald · First published 1875 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature · 186 words
First lines
The brother knew well the castle old, Every closet, each outlook fair, Every turret and bartizan bold, Every chamber, garnished or bare. The brother was out in the heavenly air; Little ones lost the starry way, Wandered down the dungeon stair. The brother missed them, and on the clay Of the dungeon-floor he found them all. Up they jumped when they heard him call! He led the little ones into the day -- Out and up to the sunshine gay, Up to the father's own door-sill -- In at the father's own room door, There to be merry and work and play, There to come and go at their will, Good boys and girls to be lost no more!
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Castle 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: Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature, Mystery, Poetry
- Length: 186 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Castle 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 Old Castle?
- 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
- At The Back Of The North Wind by George Macdonald
- Hom Il V 403 by George Macdonald
- The Owl And The Bell by George Macdonald
- Mirls by George Macdonald
- No End Of No Story by George Macdonald
- Sir Lark And King Sun by George Macdonald
Genres
- Fantasy — The setting in an old castle and the presence of mysterious elements suggest a fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The narrative involves exploration and discovery, typical of adventure stories.
- Children's Literature — The focus on little ones and their journey aligns with themes common in children's literature.
- Mystery — The element of the lost children and their discovery adds a layer of mystery.
Tags
fantasy · adventure · mystery · medieval · castle · magic · friendship · courage · imagination · self-discovery · morality · mythical creatures