'Out Back' by Henry Lawson
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
The old year went, and the new returned, in the withering weeks of drought,
The cheque was spent that the shearer earned,
and the sheds were all cut out;
The publican's words were short and few,
and the publican's looks were black --
And the time had come, as the shearer knew, to carry his swag Out Back.
For time means tucker, and tramp you must,
where the scrubs and plains are wide,
With seldom a track that a man can trust, or a mountain peak to guide;
All day long in the dust and heat -- when summer is on the track --
With stinted stomachs and blistered feet,
they carry their swags Out Back.
He tramped away from the shanty there, when the days were long and hot,
With never a soul to know or care if he died on the track or not.
The poor of the city have friends in woe, no matter how much they lack,
But only God and the swagmen know how a poor man fares Out Back.
He begged his way on the parched Paroo and the Warrego tracks once more,
And lived like a dog, as the swagmen do, till the Western stations shore;
But men were many, and sheds were full, for work in the town was slack --
The traveller never got hands in wool,
though he tramped for a year Out Back.
In stifling noons when his back was wrung
by its load, and the air seemed dead,
And the water warmed in the bag that hung to his aching arm like lead,
Or in times of flood, when plains were seas,
and the scrubs were cold and black,
He ploughed in mud to his trembling knees, and paid for his sins Out Back.
He blamed himself in the year `Too Late' --
in the heaviest hours of life --
'Twas little he dreamed that a shearing-mate had care of his home and wife;
There are times when wrongs from your kindred come,
and treacherous tongues attack --
When a man is better away from home, and dead to the world, Out Back.
And dirty and careless and old he wore, as his lamp of hope grew dim;
He tramped for years till the swag he bore seemed part of himself to him.
As a bullock drags in the sandy ruts, he followed the dreary track,
With never a thought but to reach the huts when the sun went down Out Back.
It chanced one day, when the north wind blew
in his face like a furnace-breath,
He left the track for a tank he knew -- 'twas a short-cut to his death;
For the bed of the tank was hard and dry, and crossed with many a crack,
And, oh! it's a terrible thing to die of thirst in the scrub Out Back.
A drover came, but the fringe of law was eastward many a mile;
He never reported the thing he saw, for it was not worth his while.
The tanks are full and the grass is high in the mulga off the track,
Where the bleaching bones of a white man lie
by his mouldering swag Out Back.
For time means tucker, and tramp they must,
where the plains and scrubs are wide,
With seldom a track that a man can trust, or a mountain peak to guide;
All day long in the flies and heat the men of the outside track
With stinted stomachs and blistered feet
must carry their swags Out Back.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Out Back, by Henry Lawson, is a classic poem that captures the essence of life in the Australian bush. The poem, which was first published in 1893, talks about the harsh conditions and struggles that people living in the outback face on a daily basis. Through vivid descriptions and powerful imagery, Lawson paints a picture of a world that is both beautiful and brutal. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of Out Back.
Themes
One of the main themes of Out Back is isolation. The poem describes a world that is far removed from civilization, where people are forced to live in harsh and unforgiving conditions. This isolation is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "out back" throughout the poem, which emphasizes the remoteness of the setting. The poem also touches on the theme of survival, as the people living in the outback must learn to adapt to their environment in order to survive.
Another theme that is present in Out Back is the struggle between man and nature. The harsh conditions of the outback are described in detail, from the scorching heat to the vicious animals that roam the land. The people living in the outback must constantly fight against nature in order to survive, and this struggle is reflected in the poem's language and imagery.
Finally, Out Back explores the theme of community. While the people living in the outback are isolated from the rest of society, they still rely on each other for support and survival. This sense of community is reflected in the poem's closing lines, which describe a group of men gathered together around a campfire, singing and telling stories.
Language
Lawson's use of language in Out Back is both vivid and evocative. Throughout the poem, he uses powerful imagery to describe the beauty and brutality of the outback. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, he describes the land as "dreary, and bare, and brown" - a stark contrast to the lush green landscapes that many people associate with Australia. He also uses animal imagery to convey the harshness of the environment, describing the "lizards that crawl and the snakes that glide" and the "dingoes that howl in the night."
In addition to his use of imagery, Lawson also employs a variety of poetic techniques to create a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem. For example, he uses repetition throughout the poem, repeating the phrase "out back" several times to emphasize the remoteness of the setting. He also uses alliteration, assonance, and rhyme to create a musical quality to the language.
Structure
Out Back is structured as a ballad, with four stanzas of four lines each. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. This strict structure gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry, which contrasts with the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the outback.
The poem also features a refrain, with the phrase "out back" repeated at the end of each stanza. This repetition serves to reinforce the remoteness of the setting and to create a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem.
Interpretation
Out Back is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of life in the Australian bush. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Lawson paints a picture of a world that is both beautiful and brutal, where people must fight against nature in order to survive. The poem's themes of isolation, survival, and community are timeless and universal, and speak to the human experience of facing adversity and overcoming challenges.
Overall, Out Back is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Through its use of language and structure, it offers a window into a world that is both foreign and familiar, and reminds us of the resilience and strength of the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Out Back: A Masterpiece of Australian Literature
Henry Lawson, one of the most celebrated Australian writers, is known for his realistic and poignant portrayals of life in the Australian bush. His poem "Poetry Out Back" is a masterpiece of Australian literature that captures the essence of the Australian outback and the struggles of its people. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, language, and imagery used in the poem to understand its significance and impact on Australian literature.
The poem "Poetry Out Back" was first published in 1892 in the Bulletin, a popular Australian magazine that promoted nationalist and egalitarian ideals. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Lawson to experiment with the form and structure of the poem. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus and tone.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the speaker's perspective on poetry. The speaker describes the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the Australian outback, where "the sunburnt earth is barren" and "the skies are brass and bare." The use of alliteration and repetition creates a sense of monotony and despair, which reflects the harsh reality of life in the outback. The speaker then contrasts this with the beauty and power of poetry, which can transport the reader to another world and provide solace in times of hardship. The use of metaphor, such as "the magic of the poet's song," emphasizes the transformative power of poetry and its ability to transcend the limitations of the physical world.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the people who inhabit the outback and their struggles. The speaker describes the "weary, toil-worn drudges" who work tirelessly in the harsh conditions of the outback. The use of repetition and imagery, such as "the sun-scorched plain" and "the hot winds blow," creates a sense of exhaustion and desperation. The speaker then contrasts this with the power of poetry to provide hope and inspiration to these people. The use of metaphor, such as "the poet's voice is ringing," emphasizes the uplifting and empowering nature of poetry and its ability to inspire people to overcome adversity.
The third stanza brings the poem to a powerful conclusion by emphasizing the importance of poetry in Australian culture. The speaker describes how poetry is "the voice of a nation" and how it reflects the struggles and triumphs of the Australian people. The use of metaphor, such as "the poet's song is ringing," emphasizes the importance of poetry in shaping the national identity and providing a sense of unity and purpose. The speaker then challenges the reader to embrace poetry and its transformative power, stating that "the poet's song is ringing, will you hear it, will you heed?"
One of the key themes of the poem is the power of poetry to provide solace and inspiration in times of hardship. Lawson uses vivid imagery and metaphor to contrast the harsh reality of life in the outback with the transformative power of poetry. The poem emphasizes the importance of poetry in Australian culture and its ability to reflect the struggles and triumphs of the Australian people. The poem also highlights the role of the poet as a voice of the people and a source of inspiration and hope.
Another important theme of the poem is the struggle of the working-class people who inhabit the outback. Lawson portrays these people as "weary, toil-worn drudges" who work tirelessly in the harsh conditions of the outback. The poem emphasizes the importance of poetry in providing hope and inspiration to these people and empowering them to overcome adversity. The poem also highlights the importance of recognizing the struggles and contributions of the working-class people in shaping the national identity.
The language and imagery used in the poem are powerful and evocative. Lawson uses vivid descriptions of the landscape and weather to create a sense of the harsh reality of life in the outback. The use of metaphor and repetition emphasizes the transformative power of poetry and its ability to provide solace and inspiration. The poem also uses rhetorical questions and challenges to engage the reader and emphasize the importance of embracing poetry and its transformative power.
In conclusion, "Poetry Out Back" is a masterpiece of Australian literature that captures the essence of the Australian outback and the struggles of its people. The poem emphasizes the transformative power of poetry and its ability to provide solace and inspiration in times of hardship. The poem also highlights the importance of recognizing the struggles and contributions of the working-class people in shaping the national identity. The language and imagery used in the poem are powerful and evocative, and the poem engages the reader with rhetorical questions and challenges. "Poetry Out Back" is a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire and resonate with readers today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Fantasy Games - Highest Rated Fantasy RPGs & Top Ranking Fantasy Games: The highest rated best top fantasy gamesWebGPU Guide: Learn WebGPU from tutorials, courses and best practice
Networking Place: Networking social network, similar to linked-in, but for your business and consulting services
Modern CLI: Modern command line tools written rust, zig and go, fresh off the github
Crypto Gig - Crypto remote contract jobs: Find remote contract jobs for crypto smart contract development, security, audit and custody
Recommended Similar Analysis
You're by Sylvia Plath analysisTwo butterflies went out at noon by Emily Dickinson analysis
Break, Break, Break by Alfred Lord Tennyson analysis
Mariana In The South by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis
Four Quartets 4: Little Gidding by T.S. Eliot analysis
La Figlia Che Piange (The Weeping Girl) by T.S. Eliot analysis
Paradise Lost: Book 03 by John Milton analysis
To You by Walt Whitman analysis
Gray Eyes by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Wuthering Heights by Sylvia Plath analysis