# The Hills explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on childhood memories of climbing hills behind his father's cottage, finding joy and wonder in the elevated perspective. As an adult, the hills evoke a longing for the unknown and a spiritual quest to reach the Father's throne. He describes meeting a companion on this journey, a true-hearted woman who shares his search, and together they climb toward their heavenly home.

## Themes in this chapter

### Childhood and Innocence

The speaker's joyful memories of climbing hills as a child evoke a sense of wonder and pure delight.

### Divine Fatherhood

The hills become a metaphor for the spiritual journey toward the Father's throne, with the Father's presence hinted in nature.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who recalls childhood hill-climbing and continues the spiritual ascent.

### Love

Referred to as 'my Father' whose throne the speaker seeks and whose footsteps are found in the stone.

### The Child-Mother

The companion met on the journey, a true-hearted woman who shares the quest.

## Key lines

> For I am always climbing hills, From the known to the unknown— Surely, at last, on some high peak, To find my Father’s throne, Though hitherto I have only found His footsteps in the stone!

I am constantly moving from what I know toward what I don't, hoping eventually to reach God's throne, though so far I've only seen traces of Him in the natural world.

_Expresses the ongoing spiritual quest and the sense of divine presence in nature._

> Clasp my hand close, my child, in thine— A long way we have come! Clasp my hand closer yet, my child, Farther we yet must roam— Climbing and climbing till we reach Our heavenly father’s home.

Hold my hand tightly, my child; we've traveled far and still have far to go, climbing until we arrive at God's home.

_Emphasizes companionship and perseverance on the spiritual journey._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-hills
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters