To an Autograph-Hunter by George MacDonald
To an Autograph-Hunter is a short story written by George MacDonald. It tells the tale of a young man who seeks out the autographs of famous people, only to discover that true greatness lies within oneself. The book explores themes of self-discovery and the search for meaning in life.
By George MacDonald · First published 1870 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Spiritual · 183 words
First lines
Seek not my name -- it doth no virtue bear; / Seek, seek thine own primeval name to find -- / The name God called when thy ideal fair / Arose in deeps of the eternal mind.
When that thou findest, thou art straight a lord / Of time and space -- art heir of all things grown; / And not my name, poor, earthly label-word, / But I myself thenceforward am thine own.
Thou hearest not? Or hearest as a man / Who hears the muttering of a foolish spell?
My very shadow would feel strange and wan / In thy abode: -- I say _No_, and _Farewell_.
What this Textopian page supports
To an Autograph-Hunter is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1870 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: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Spiritual, Literary
- Length: 183 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To an Autograph-Hunter 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
Similar titles
- Erinna by Sara Teasdale
- He Consoles Himself With The Thought That He Will Be Envied By Posterity by Francesco Petrarca
- Memory Is His Only Solace And Support Solea Dalla Fontana Di Mia Vita by Francesco Petrarca
- Remembrance by George William Russell
- The Maker To Posterity by Robert Louis Stevenson
- In Memory Of Alfred Pollexfen by W. B. Yeats
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as rhyme and meter.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential and metaphysical concepts, such as identity and the nature of self.
- Spiritual — The text references divine elements and the search for a primordial name, suggesting spiritual undertones.
- Literary — The sophisticated language and abstract themes align with literary fiction characteristics.
Tags
autograph · hunting · literature · poetry · friendship · identity · self-reflection · nostalgia · value · celebrity · fame · personal connection