The image of a loving God George MacDonald’s popular short story “The Golden Key” seems to be a story for children, but examining it more closely, it suddenly reveals itself to be much more than a fairy tale. George MacDonald does not only address children, he wants to reach the adults, outlining his vision of God that presents the exact opposite to the traditional Calvinistic theology of his time. In this essay I want to show how the author uses symbolism to illustrate a new though at the same time old concept of God – a God whose “love was over all and in all and covered all” (Phillips 1987, 139). By interpreting the use of symbolism in “The Golden Key”, I will point out this image of a loving God which shines through the whole story and which is the author’s message.
Table of Contents
- George MacDonald's Use of Symbolism in “The Golden Key”
- The Image of a Loving God
- The Golden Key: A Symbol for Christ
- The Air-Fish: Death and Resurrection
- The Three Old Men: Old Age and Youth, God's Child-Heart
- The Old Man of the Sea: Death as Transition
- The Old Man of the Fire: God's Love, Purity, and Creation
- Hidden Motifs: Silence and Depth
- Silence as Unspeakable Beauty
- Depth as God's Humility
- The Moss: A Symbol for God's Love and Humility
- The Journey into Depth: Towards a Deeper Understanding
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the symbolism employed by George MacDonald in his short story "The Golden Key." The objective is to demonstrate how this symbolism unveils a unique and unconventional image of God, distinct from the prevailing Calvinistic theology of the author's time. Key themes explored in the essay include: * **The Nature of God:** MacDonald portrays God as a loving and merciful being, contrasting with the traditional Calvinistic image of an unapproachable and vengeful deity. * **Death and Resurrection:** The author challenges the fear of death, presenting it as a transition to a more meaningful life. * **God's Humility:** Through the symbolism of the moss, the essay highlights God's descent to earth, embodying a humbling and approachable nature. * **The Importance of Depth:** The journey into the depths of the earth serves as a metaphor for the search for deeper understanding and spiritual enlightenment. * **The Power of Silence:** Silence, in the story, becomes a conduit for experiencing the profound and inexpressible truth of God's presence.Chapter Summaries
The essay delves into the symbolic meaning of various elements within "The Golden Key," revealing MacDonald's vision of God. The golden key, a central motif, symbolizes Jesus Christ and represents God's choice and the path to heaven. The air-fish, a fantastical creature, illustrates MacDonald's view of death as a transition to a better life, rather than an end. The three Old Men, embodying both old age and youth, represent the unity of God's eternal wisdom and the innocence of a child's heart. The Old Man of the Sea symbolizes death as a gateway to another life, while the Old Man of the Fire embodies God's love, purity, and creative power. Beyond these characters, hidden motifs like silence and depth further deepen the story's symbolism. Silence represents the inexpressible beauty of God's truth, while depth underscores the profoundness of the journey towards spiritual understanding. The essay concludes with the significance of the moss, a divine symbol that encapsulates God's humility and accessibility, and the journey into the depths of the earth, representing a process of spiritual growth and revelation.Keywords
The key concepts and terms explored in this essay include "The Golden Key," George MacDonald, symbolism, God, Calvinism, death, resurrection, humility, depth, silence, and the moss. This analysis of "The Golden Key" focuses on the symbolic representation of these concepts, highlighting MacDonald's unconventional and compassionate vision of God.
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- B.A. Damaris Englert (Author), 2009, George MacDonald's use of symbolism in the short story "The Golden Key", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/152129
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