This World by George MacDonald
"This World" is a novel by George MacDonald that explores the themes of love, faith, and redemption. The story follows the journey of a young man named Paul Faber as he navigates his way through life in search of meaning and purpose. Along the way, he encounters various characters who help him to understand the true nature of God and the world around him. Throughout the novel, MacDonald weaves together themes of spirituality, philosophy, and literature to create a rich and complex narrative that challenges readers to think deeply about their own beliefs and values.
By George MacDonald · First published 1878 · Genre: Religious, Poetry, Philosophical · 483 words
First lines
Thy world is made to fit thine own, A nursery for thy children small, The playground-footstool of thy throne, Thy solemn school-room, Father of all! When day is done, in twilight's gloom, We pass into thy presence-room.
Because from selfishness and wrath, Our cold and hot extremes of ill, We grope and stagger on the path -- Thou tell'st us from thy holy hill, With icy storms and sunshine rude, That we are all unripe in good.
What this Textopian page supports
This World is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1878 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: 1878 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious, Poetry, Philosophical, Inspirational
- Length: 483 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for This World 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 This World?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Religious first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Religious — The text is heavily centered on themes of divine presence, spiritual growth, and moral lessons, indicating a strong religious undertone.
- Poetry — The structure and style of the text, with its rhythmic and lyrical qualities, align with poetic conventions.
- Philosophical — The work explores deep philosophical questions about human nature, morality, and the divine, suggesting a philosophical genre.
- Inspirational — The text aims to inspire and uplift by addressing themes of spiritual enlightenment and moral improvement.
Tags
fantasy · spirituality · allegory · morality · redemption · love · faith · imagination · nature · humanity · suffering · hope