'`Sez You'' by Henry Lawson
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When the heavy sand is yielding backward from your blistered feet,
And across the distant timber you can SEE the flowing heat;
When your head is hot and aching, and the shadeless plain is wide,
And it's fifteen miles to water in the scrub the other side --
Don't give up, don't be down-hearted, to a man's strong heart be true!
Take the air in through your nostrils, set your lips and see it through --
For it can't go on for ever, and -- `I'll have my day!' says you.
When you're camping in the mulga, and the rain is falling slow,
While you nurse your rheumatism 'neath a patch of calico;
Short of tucker or tobacco, short of sugar or of tea,
And the scrubs are dark and dismal, and the plains are like a sea;
Don't give up and be down-hearted -- to the soul of man be true!
Grin! if you've a mate to grin for, grin and jest and don't look blue;
For it can't go on for ever, and -- `I'll rise some day,' says you.
When you've tramped the Sydney pavements till you've counted all the flags,
And your flapping boot-soles trip you, and your clothes are mostly rags,
When you're called a city loafer, shunned, abused, moved on, despised --
Fifty hungry beggars after every job that's advertised --
Don't be beaten!Hold your head up!To your wretched self be true;
Set your pride to fight your hunger!Be a MAN in all you do!
For it cannot last for ever -- `I will rise again!' says you.
When you're dossing out in winter, in the darkness and the rain,
Crouching, cramped, and cold and hungry 'neath a seat in The Domain,
And a cloaked policeman stirs you with that mighty foot of his --
`Phwat d'ye mane?Phwat's this?
Who are ye?Come, move on -- git out av this!'
Don't get mad; 'twere only foolish; there is nought that you can do,
Save to mark his beat and time him -- find another hole or two;
But it can't go on for ever -- `I'll have money yet!' says you.
.....
Bother not about the morrow, for sufficient to the day
Is the evil (rather more so).Put your trust in God and pray!
Study well the ant, thou sluggard.Blessed are the meek and low.
Ponder calmly on the lilies -- how they idle, how they grow.
A man's a man!Obey your masters!Do not blame the proud and fat,
For the poor are always with them, and they cannot alter that.
Lay your treasures up in Heaven -- cling to life and see it through!
For it cannot last for ever -- `I shall die some day,' says you.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sez You by Henry Lawson - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you looking for a poem that will make you ponder about the human condition? Look no further than Henry Lawson's Sez You. This classic poem, written in the late 19th century, explores the themes of identity, class struggle and the search for meaning in life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning and significance.
Overview of the Poem
Sez You is a narrative poem about a man who leaves his hometown to find a better life in the city. He struggles to fit in, is ostracized by the middle class, and ultimately returns to his hometown. The poem is written in the vernacular, with colloquial language and syntax that reflects the working-class origins of the speaker.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem starts with the speaker's desire to leave his hometown and start anew in the city. He dreams of a better life, one where he can escape the drudgery of his current existence. The speaker's desire for a better life is a universal human experience that transcends time and place. Who among us has not dreamed of a better life, of escaping the confines of our current situation?
However, the speaker's journey to the city is not easy. He is ostracized by the middle class, who see him as an outsider. The speaker is forced to confront his identity and his place in the world. He realizes that he is not like the people he is trying to fit in with and that he will always be an outsider. This struggle for identity is a common theme in literature, and one that Henry Lawson explores masterfully in Sez You.
The speaker's return to his hometown is a poignant moment in the poem. He realizes that, despite his desire to escape, his hometown is where he belongs. He finds comfort in the familiarity of his surroundings and the people who know him. This realization is a reminder that sometimes, the grass is not always greener on the other side. We must learn to appreciate what we have and find meaning in our current situation.
Literary Devices Used in the Poem
Henry Lawson uses a variety of literary devices to convey the themes of the poem. The use of vernacular language and syntax reflects the working-class origins of the speaker and creates a sense of authenticity. The use of colloquial language also adds to the poem's accessibility, making it relatable to a wider audience.
The use of imagery is another literary device used in the poem. The image of the city as a place of opportunity and freedom is juxtaposed against the image of the hometown as a place of familiarity and comfort. This contrast highlights the speaker's struggle for identity and his search for meaning in life.
The poem also makes use of repetition, with the phrase "sez you" appearing throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the speaker's sense of defiance in the face of adversity. The use of repetition also highlights the theme of class struggle, with the speaker using the phrase to challenge the middle class's perception of him.
Significance of the Poem
Sez You is a significant poem in the Australian literary canon. Henry Lawson is widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest writers, and Sez You is a prime example of his mastery of the written word. The poem is a reflection of the Australian working-class experience and captures the struggles and aspirations of a generation.
The poem's themes of identity, class struggle, and the search for meaning are universal and continue to resonate with readers today. The poem is a reminder that we must learn to appreciate what we have and find meaning in our current situation. It is a call to embrace our identity and to challenge the status quo.
Conclusion
Sez You is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience. Henry Lawson's use of language, imagery, and repetition creates a powerful narrative that explores the themes of identity, class struggle, and the search for meaning. The poem is a reminder that we must learn to appreciate what we have and find meaning in our current situation. It is a call to embrace our identity and to challenge the status quo. Sez You is a poem that will continue to inspire and resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sez You: A Classic Poem by Henry Lawson
If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Henry Lawson. He was an Australian writer and poet who lived from 1867 to 1922. Lawson is known for his realistic portrayals of life in the Australian bush, and his poem "Sez You" is a perfect example of his style.
"Sez You" is a short poem, only eight lines long, but it packs a powerful punch. It's a poem about the power of words and how they can be used to hurt or heal. Let's take a closer look at the poem and see what we can learn from it.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing someone who has just insulted him. The insult is not specified, but it's clear that the speaker has been hurt by it. He responds by saying, "Sez you," which is a colloquial way of saying "You say that, but I don't believe it."
This simple phrase is the key to the poem. The speaker is refusing to accept the insult as true. He's not going to let the words of his attacker define him. Instead, he's asserting his own identity and his own beliefs.
The second half of the poem is even more powerful. The speaker says, "But wot's the odds, wot's the odds? / You kin 'ave your say." In other words, the speaker is saying that it doesn't matter what his attacker thinks of him. He's going to be himself regardless.
This is a powerful message, especially in today's world where people are often judged and criticized for their beliefs, their appearance, or their lifestyle. The poem is a reminder that we don't have to let other people's words define us. We can choose to be ourselves, no matter what anyone else thinks.
But there's more to the poem than just this message. The language and structure of the poem are also worth examining. Lawson uses a colloquial, almost slangy style of language that is very effective in conveying the speaker's attitude. The use of "sez you" and "wot's the odds" gives the poem a very down-to-earth feel, as if the speaker is someone you might meet on the street.
The poem is also structured in a very simple way. It consists of two quatrains, or four-line stanzas, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. This simple structure reinforces the message of the poem. The speaker is not trying to impress anyone with fancy language or complex ideas. He's just stating his beliefs in a straightforward way.
Overall, "Sez You" is a powerful poem that has stood the test of time. Its message of self-acceptance and the power of words is just as relevant today as it was when Lawson wrote it over a century ago. The poem is a reminder that we don't have to let other people's words define us. We can choose to be ourselves, no matter what anyone else thinks. And that's a message that we could all use a little more of in our lives.
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