The Watcher by George MacDonald
The Watcher is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of a young man named Paul Faber who becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman he sees in his dreams. As he searches for her, he encounters various supernatural beings and learns about the nature of good and evil. The book explores themes such as love, redemption, and the power of imagination.
By George MacDonald · First published 1860 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious · 155 words
First lines
From out a windy cleft there comes a gaze Of eyes unearthly, which go to and fro Upon the people's tumult, for below The nations smite each other: no amaze Troubles their liquid rolling, or affrays Their deep-set contemplation; steadily glow Those ever holier eyeballs, for they grow Liker unto the eyes of one that prays.
And if those clasped hands tremble, comes a power As of the might of worlds, and they are holden Blessing above us in the sunrise golden; And they will be uplifted till that hour Of terrible rolling which shall rise and shake This conscious nightmare from us, and we wake.
What this Textopian page supports
The Watcher is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1860 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: 1860 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious, Symbolism, Visionary
- Length: 155 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Watcher by George MacDonald
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Watcher?
- 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
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- This World by George Macdonald
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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 contemplation and existential ideas, typical of philosophical literature.
- Religious — The imagery and themes suggest a spiritual or religious undertone, with references to prayer and divine observation.
- Symbolism — The use of symbolic imagery, such as 'eyes unearthly' and 'clasped hands,' indicates a symbolic genre.
Tags
fantasy · spirituality · mysticism · allegory · self-discovery · redemption · love · faith · imagination · nature · inner conflict · transcendence