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Notes
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Preface states: 'This is an attempt to publish, in Australia, a collection of sketches and stories at a time when everything Australian, in the shape of a book, must bear the imprint of a London publishing firm before our critics will condescend to notice it, and before the "reading public" will think it worth its while to buy nearly so many copies as will pay for the mere cost of printing a presentable volume.'
Contents
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Rats,
single work
short story
humour
Three travelling shearers encounter a swagman, 'Rats', having a fight with his swag.
- A Narrow Escape, single work short story (p. 6-16)
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Bush Cats,
single work
short story
humour
Lawson writes admiringly about the toughness and hunting skills of cats living on farms and selections.
- Johnson, Alias Crowi"Where the seasons are divided and the bush begins to change, and the links are rather", single work poetry (p. 24-25)
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The Drover's Wife,
single work
short story
First appearing in The Bulletin in 1892, Henry Lawson's short story 'The Drovers Wife' is today regarded as a seminal work in the Australian literary tradition. Noted for it's depiction of the bush as harsh, potentially threatening and both isolated and isolating, the story opens with a simple enough premise: an aggressive--and presumably deadly--snake disrupts the working life of a bushwoman and her young children. Brave but cautious, the woman resolves to protect her children since her husband is, characteristically, away from home and of no help.
As time passes within the story, tension builds, and the snake's symbolic threat takes on layers of meaning as the sleepless heroine recalls previous challenges she faced while her husband was away. A series of flashbacks and recollections propel the story through the single night over which it takes place, and by the time the climax arrives--the confrontation with the snake--readers have learned much about the heroine's strengths and fears, most of the latter involving the loss of children and dark figures who encroach upon her small, vulnerable homestead. To be sure, this "darkness" is highly symbolic, and Lawson's use of imagery invokes Western notions of good and evil as well as gendered and racial stereotypes.
- The Fire at Ross's Farmi"The squatter saw his pastures wide", single work poetry (p. 40-45)
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The Union Buries Its Dead,
single work
short story
humour
Describes a bush funeral.Note: With subtitle: A Bushman's Funeral, A Sketch from Life and Death
- A Typical Bush-Yarn, single work short story humour (p. [54])
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The Bush Undertaker,
single work
short story
An old shepherd discovers his mate, Brummy, dead and mummified in the bush. Saddened, he feels compelled to bury him.
- A Legend of Coo-ee Gullyi"The night came down thro' Deadman's Gap,", single work poetry (p. [72]-75)
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Macquarie's Mate,
single work
short story
The drinkers at Stiffner's shanty have a poor opinion of Macquarie, but his mate, Awful Example, defends him.Note: With title: 'Macquarie's Mate : A Darling River Sketch'
- When the Childer Come Home When the Children Come Homei"On a lonely selection far out in the West", single work poetry (p. [83]-84)
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The Mystery of Dave Regan,
single work
short story
Dave Regan is frequently being reported as dead, but usually turns up again. When the narrator, Jim, sees him in dry, dusty clothes after a drenching thunderstorm he becomes convinced he has seen Dave's ghost.
- A Derry on a Covei"'Twas in the felon's dock he stood, his eyes were black and blue;", single work poetry (p. [91]-92)
- Trouble on the Selectioni"You lazy boy, you're here at last,", single work poetry humour (p. [93]-94)
- Preface to Short Stories in Prose and Verse, single work criticism
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Adventures in Australiana II : On the Trail of Henry Lawson
1929
single work
essay
— Appears in: The Home , 1 August vol. 10 no. 8 1929; (p. 44-45, 82, 91-92) -
Books for the People : Henry Lawson's Book
1895
single work
review
— Appears in: The Worker , 26 January 1895; (p. 3)
— Review of Short Stories in Prose and Verse 1894 selected work poetry prose short story -
Henry Lawson : An Australian Poet
1895
single work
column
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 5 January vol. 14 no. 777 1895; (p. 15) This column flags the publication of Lawson's 'first volume of collected work'. It also provides some background on Lawson's family history.
-
Books for the People : Henry Lawson's Book
1895
single work
review
— Appears in: The Worker , 26 January 1895; (p. 3)
— Review of Short Stories in Prose and Verse 1894 selected work poetry prose short story -
Adventures in Australiana II : On the Trail of Henry Lawson
1929
single work
essay
— Appears in: The Home , 1 August vol. 10 no. 8 1929; (p. 44-45, 82, 91-92) -
Henry Lawson : An Australian Poet
1895
single work
column
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 5 January vol. 14 no. 777 1895; (p. 15) This column flags the publication of Lawson's 'first volume of collected work'. It also provides some background on Lawson's family history.