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About this quote

What does it mean?
The character observes the world with fresh wonder, feeling like he has entered a magical place due to lack of prior exposure.
In plain terms
Seeing the world late at night feels strange and magical because he has no books to explain it.
What can you take from it?
Limited knowledge can make the ordinary world seem mysterious and new.

Where it applies

  • child's first experience
  • poverty context
  • imaginative thinking

Putting it to work

  • narrative description
  • educational insight
  • poor context

Questions to consider

  • Does lack of knowledge create wonder?
  • How does experience shape perception?

Another view

It romanticizes poverty's lack of education as a source of wonder.

More from George MacDonald

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  2. Do you think that the work God gives us to do is never easy? Jesus says that His yoke is easy, His burden is light. People sometimes refuse to do God's work ju…

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  3. Attitudes are more important than facts.

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