To Gordon, Leaving Khartoum
Leaving Khartoum is a novel by George MacDonald that follows the journey of a young man named Gordon as he travels from his home in Scotland to the city of Khartoum, Sudan. Along the way, he encounters various challenges and obstacles, including political unrest and cultural differences. The book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
By George MacDonald · First published 1864 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, War · 344 words
First lines
The silence of traitorous feet! The silence of close-pent rage! The roar, and the sudden heart-beat! And the shot through the true heart going, The truest heart of the age! And the Nile serenely flowing!
Carnage and curses and cries! He utters never a word; Still as a child he lies; The wind of the desert is blowing Across the dead man of the Lord; And the Nile is softly flowing.
What this Textopian page supports
To Gordon, Leaving Khartoum is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1864 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: 1864 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, War, Religious, Tragedy
- Length: 344 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To Gordon, Leaving Khartoum by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering To Gordon, Leaving Khartoum?
- 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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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Historical — References to historical events and figures, such as Khartoum and the Nile, suggest a historical context.
- War — Themes of battle, weaponry, and conflict are prevalent throughout the text.
- Religious — Mentions of the Lord and spiritual elements indicate religious themes.
Tags
historical fiction · Sudan · colonialism · adventure · exploration · conflict · identity · cultural clash · friendship · loss · journey · resilience