Washing the Clothes. Cottage Songs
The story follows a young girl named Washerwoman who lives with her mother in a small cottage near the river. One day, while washing clothes by the river, she meets a mysterious old woman who gives her a magical gift that allows her to see into the future. As Washerwoman uses this power to help others, she learns valuable lessons about love, friendship, and the importance of kindness. The book is filled with beautiful descriptions of nature and the countryside, as well as charming illustrations by Arthur Hughes.
By George MacDonald · First published 1853 · Genre: Children's Poetry, Instructional, Pastoral · 151 words
First lines
This is the way we wash the clo'es Free from dirt and smoke and clay!
Through and through the water flows, Carries Ugly right away!
This is the way we bleach the clo'es: Lay them out upon the green; Through and through the sunshine goes, Makes them white as well as clean!
This is the way we dry the clo'es: Hang them on the bushes about; Through and through the soft wind blows, Draws and drives the wetness out!
What this Textopian page supports
Washing the Clothes. Cottage Songs is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1853 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: 1853 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Poetry, Instructional, Pastoral, Domestic
- Length: 151 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Washing the Clothes. Cottage Songs 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 Washing the Clothes. Cottage Songs?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Children's Poetry — The work features simple, rhythmic verses suitable for children, focusing on everyday activities.
- Instructional — The poem provides a step-by-step guide to washing clothes, making it instructional in nature.
- Pastoral — The setting and imagery of nature, such as sunshine and wind, evoke a pastoral theme.
- Domestic — The focus on household chores and domestic life aligns with domestic literature.
Tags
cottage · songs · folk · poetry · rural · tradition · nature · community · labor · domestic · life · simplicity