'Andy's Gone With Cattle' by Henry Lawson
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Our Andy's gone to battle now
'Gainst Drought, the red marauder;
Our Andy's gone with cattle now
Across the Queensland border.
He's left us in dejection now;
Our hearts with him are roving.
It's dull on this selection now,
Since Andy went a-droving.
Who now shall wear the cheerful face
In times when things are slackest?
And who shall whistle round the place
When Fortune frowns her blackest?
Oh, who shall cheek the squatter now
When he comes round us snarling?
His tongue is growing hotter now
Since Andy cross'd the Darling.
The gates are out of order now,
In storms the 'riders' rattle;
For far across the border now
Our Andy's gone with cattle.
Poor Aunty's looking thin and white;
And Uncle's cross with worry;
And poor old Blucher howls all night
Since Andy left Macquarie.
Oh, may the showers in torrents fall,
And all the tanks run over;
And may the grass grow green and tall
In pathways of the drover;
And may good angels send the rain
On desert stretches sandy;
And when the summer comes again
God grant 'twill bring us Andy.
Submitted by Maddy
Editor 1 Interpretation
Andy's Gone With Cattle: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow, what a poem! Henry Lawson's "Andy's Gone With Cattle" is a masterpiece of Australian literature that captures the essence of bush life, the hardships of droving, and the nostalgia for home. This 80-line ballad, written in 1888, tells the story of Andy, a young drover who leaves his sweetheart and his mother in search of work and adventure. The poem is full of vivid imagery, metaphorical language, and a deep sense of longing that resonates with readers even today. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the themes, symbolism, structure, and language of "Andy's Gone With Cattle" to reveal its timeless appeal and literary significance.
Themes
One of the main themes of the poem is the lure of the outback and the romanticized ideal of the Australian bush. Andy is described as "a drover, and he's from the old bush school" who loves "the campfire's cheerful blaze" and the "freedom of the open plain." He is not content with the settled life of the town and seeks the adventure and challenge of droving. His journey with the cattle is a metaphor for his quest for self-discovery, independence, and identity. However, the poem also portrays the harsh reality of bush life, where drought, dust storms, and loneliness are constant companions. Andy's longing for home, his mother's love, and his sweetheart's embrace reflects the human need for connection, belonging, and emotional support.
Another theme of the poem is the contrast between the urban and rural lifestyles, and the tension between tradition and modernity. Andy's mother and sweetheart represent the traditional values of family, love, and community, while the droving life represents the rugged individualism, freedom, and adventure of the frontier. The poem suggests that these two worlds are not mutually exclusive but complementary, and that the tension between them creates a dynamic tension that enriches the human experience. Moreover, the poem celebrates the resilience, resourcefulness, and camaraderie of the bushmen, who rely on their skills, knowledge, and wit to survive in the harsh environment.
Symbolism
The poem is rich in symbolism that enhances its meaning and emotional impact. The cattle, for instance, represent the physical and emotional burden that Andy carries with him on his journey. They are described as "tall and white" and "passionless and still," suggesting their stoic nature and their indifference to Andy's fate. However, they also represent the source of Andy's livelihood, his identity, and his pride. When he is gone with cattle, he is a drover, a man of the land, and a hero in his own right. The cattle also symbolize the cyclical nature of life in the bush, where droughts and floods, births and deaths, are part of the natural order.
The campfire is another symbol that recurs throughout the poem. It represents the warmth, comfort, and camaraderie of the bush life, and the sense of community that emerges around it. It is also a source of light and protection in the dark and dangerous outback, where wild animals and bushrangers pose a threat. Moreover, the campfire is a symbol of the human need for storytelling and communication, as the bushmen share their experiences, jokes, and songs around it.
The mother and the sweetheart are also symbolic figures in the poem. They represent the emotional anchor that Andy longs for, the stability and security that he left behind, and the hope for a better future. They embody the feminine virtues of love, nurturing, and emotional support, and contrast with the harsh and rugged world of the drovers. They also represent the tension between the individual and the community, the personal and the social, the home and the world.
Structure
The poem is structured as a ballad, with four-line stanzas and a simple rhyme scheme (ABCB). This form reflects the oral tradition of bush poetry, where songs and stories were passed down from generation to generation. The ballad also creates a sense of rhythm, melody, and repetition that enhances the musical and dramatic qualities of the poem. Moreover, the ballad form reinforces the thematic and symbolic unity of the poem, as each stanza contributes to the development of the story and the emotional impact of the poem.
The poem also has a clear narrative structure, with a beginning, middle, and end. The opening stanzas establish the setting, introduce the main character, and create a sense of tension and anticipation. The middle stanzas describe Andy's journey with the cattle, his encounters with the natural and human world, and his emotional struggles. The ending stanzas resolve the tension, reveal the outcome of the story, and create a sense of closure and reflection. This narrative structure reinforces the thematic and symbolic coherence of the poem and creates a sense of unity and wholeness.
Language
The language of the poem is simple, direct, and vivid, reflecting the vernacular style of bush poetry. The poem uses colloquial and regional expressions, such as "jumbuck," "swagman," and "swag," that evoke the authentic voice and culture of the bushmen. The poem also uses metaphorical and symbolic language, such as "the old bush school," "the campfires cheerless ashes," and "the plains are dark with rain," that enrich the meaning and emotional impact of the poem. The poem also uses repetition, alliteration, and assonance to create a sense of rhythm, melody, and harmony. For instance, the repeated use of the phrase "Andy's gone with cattle" creates a sense of momentum, anticipation, and nostalgia, while the alliteration in "the plains are dark with rain" creates a sense of mood and atmosphere.
Moreover, the language of the poem creates a sense of empathy, identification, and emotional resonance. The poem uses the point of view of Andy, the main character, to create a sense of intimacy and personal involvement. The poem also uses sensory details, such as the smell of the dust, the sound of the whip, and the taste of the damper, to create a sense of realism and vividness. The poem also uses rhetorical devices, such as irony, hyperbole, and understatement, to create a sense of humor, irony, and pathos. For instance, the line "the campfires cheerless ashes" uses understatement to emphasize the bleakness and loneliness of the outback life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Andy's Gone With Cattle" is a masterpiece of Australian literature that captures the essence of bush life, the tension between tradition and modernity, and the human need for connection, belonging, and emotional support. The poem uses vivid imagery, metaphorical language, and a simple and direct style to create a sense of realism, authenticity, and emotional resonance. The poem also uses symbolism, structure, and language to reinforce its thematic and symbolic unity and create a sense of rhythm, melody, and harmony. The poem is a timeless classic that speaks to the human condition and celebrates the beauty and resilience of the Australian bush.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Andy's Gone With Cattle: A Classic Poem by Henry Lawson
Henry Lawson, one of Australia's most celebrated poets, wrote the classic poem "Andy's Gone With Cattle" in 1888. The poem is a beautiful and poignant tribute to the Australian bush and the people who live and work there. It tells the story of a drover named Andy, who leaves his home and family to take his cattle to market. The poem is a masterpiece of Australian literature, and it captures the spirit of the Australian bush in a way that few other works of literature have ever done.
The poem begins with the line "Out on the wastes of the Never-Never," which immediately sets the scene for the reader. The "Never-Never" is a term used to describe the vast, empty spaces of the Australian outback, where the land seems to go on forever. It is a place of great beauty, but also of great danger, and the poem captures this sense of both wonder and fear.
The next line of the poem introduces us to Andy, the drover who is the focus of the poem. We learn that he is "riding alone with his pipe and his dog," and that he is taking his cattle to market. The image of Andy riding alone through the bush with his dog is a powerful one, and it immediately creates a sense of isolation and loneliness.
As the poem continues, we learn more about Andy and his life as a drover. We learn that he is a hard-working man who is dedicated to his job, and that he loves the Australian bush. The poem describes the beauty of the bush in vivid detail, with lines like "The silver-leafed and the ironbark" and "The red and the blue of it, miles on miles."
But the poem also acknowledges the dangers of the bush, and the risks that drovers like Andy face every day. There are references to "the drought and the dust and the blowing hot winds," and to the fact that "the floods rush down in the winter." These lines remind us that life in the bush is not easy, and that the people who live and work there must be tough and resilient.
As the poem progresses, we learn that Andy is not just a drover, but also a husband and a father. He has left his wife and children behind to take his cattle to market, and the poem captures the sense of sadness and longing that he feels as he rides away from them. There are lines like "The old homestead's just on the skyline," and "The children run out with the waggon," which create a sense of nostalgia and longing.
But despite his sadness, Andy is also a man who loves his job and his way of life. There are lines like "He whistles a tune and he rides and he sings," which capture the joy and freedom that he feels as he rides through the bush. And there are also lines like "He'll come back in the autumn-time," which suggest that he is looking forward to returning home to his family.
The poem ends with a powerful image of Andy riding off into the distance, with his dog by his side. The final lines of the poem are:
"Andy's gone with cattle up the old stock-route, And the sun sinks down on the wide, open plain, And the drover's life has pleasures that the townsfolk never know."
These lines capture the essence of the poem, and of the Australian bush. They suggest that life in the bush may be hard, but it is also full of joy and wonder. And they remind us that the people who live and work there are a special breed, who are able to find happiness and contentment in a way that many others cannot.
In conclusion, "Andy's Gone With Cattle" is a classic poem that captures the spirit of the Australian bush in a way that few other works of literature have ever done. It is a tribute to the hard-working men and women who live and work in the bush, and to the beauty and wonder of the Australian landscape. And it is a reminder that there is a special kind of happiness to be found in the bush, a happiness that is not available to those who live in the towns and cities.
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