# Creation explained — Magnolia Leaves

> Chapter companion for Magnolia Leaves by Mary Weston Fordham.

## What happens

This chapter is a poetic hymn celebrating the creation of the world, describing the heavens, sun, moon, stars, thunder, clouds, rainbow, mountains, ocean, and fountains as testaments to God's glory and power. It calls upon all of nature and humanity to join in praise of the Creator.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Divine Providence

The entire poem is an expression of faith, portraying the natural world as a manifestation of God's glory and providential design.

### Nature and the Sublime

The poem vividly describes natural phenomena—sun, moon, stars, thunder, rainbow, mountains, ocean—as awe-inspiring and sublime elements of creation.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator speaks in the first person, observing and describing the wonders of creation.

### Jesus

Implied as the creative power and divine presence behind the creation, referenced through 'God' and 'Maker'.

## Key lines

> The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork.

The skies and the expanse above reveal God's greatness and craftsmanship.

_Opening line establishing the theme of nature as a testament to divine creation._

> I place amid the Clouds my Bow to show that I will nevermore Deluge with angry flood.

God set the rainbow in the clouds as a promise never again to flood the earth.

_Reference to the biblical covenant with Noah after the flood._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se/chapters/creation
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se/chapters