'The Ghost' by Henry Lawson
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Down the street as I was drifting with the city's human tide,
Came a ghost, and for a moment walked in silence by my side --
Now my heart was hard and bitter, and a bitter spirit he,
So I felt no great aversion to his ghostly company.
Said the Shade:`At finer feelings let your lip in scorn be curled,
`Self and Pelf', my friend, has ever been the motto for the world.'
And he said:`If you'd be happy, you must clip your fancy's wings,
Stretch your conscience at the edges to the size of earthly things;
Never fight another's battle, for a friend can never know
When he'll gladly fly for succour to the bosom of the foe.
At the power of truth and friendship let your lip in scorn be curled --
`Self and Pelf', my friend, remember, is the motto of the world.
`Where Society is mighty, always truckle to her rule;
Never send an `i' undotted to the teacher of a school;
Only fight a wrong or falsehood when the crowd is at your back,
And, till Charity repay you, shut the purse, and let her pack;
At the fools who would do other let your lip in scorn be curled,
`Self and Pelf', my friend, remember, that's the motto of the world.
`Ne'er assail the shaky ladders Fame has from her niches hung,
Lest unfriendly heels above you grind your fingers from the rung;
Or the fools who idle under, envious of your fair renown,
Heedless of the pain you suffer, do their worst to shake you down.
At the praise of men, or censure, let your lip in scorn be curled,
`Self and Pelf', my friend, remember, is the motto of the world.
`Flowing founts of inspiration leave their sources parched and dry,
Scalding tears of indignation sear the hearts that beat too high;
Chilly waters thrown upon it drown the fire that's in the bard;
And the banter of the critic hurts his heart till it grows hard.
At the fame your muse may offer let your lip in scorn be curled,
`Self and Pelf', my friend, remember, that's the motto of the world.
`Shun the fields of love, where lightly, to a low and mocking tune,
Strong and useful lives are ruined, and the broken hearts are strewn.
Not a farthing is the value of the honest love you hold;
Call it lust, and make it serve you!Set your heart on nought but gold.
At the bliss of purer passions let your lip in scorn be curled --
`Self and Pelf', my friend, shall ever be the motto of the world.'
Then he ceased and looked intently in my face, and nearer drew;
But a sudden deep repugnance to his presence thrilled me through;
Then I saw his face was cruel, by the look that o'er it stole,
Then I felt his breath was poison, by the shuddering of my soul,
Then I guessed his purpose evil, by his lip in sneering curled,
And I knew he slandered mankind, by my knowledge of the world.
But he vanished as a purer brighter presence gained my side --
`Heed him not! there's truth and friendship
in this wondrous world,' she cried,
And of those who cleave to virtue in their climbing for renown,
Only they who faint or falter from the height are shaken down.
At a cynic's baneful teaching let your lip in scorn be curled!
`Brotherhood and Love and Honour!' is the motto for the world.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ghost by Henry Lawson: A Literary Analysis
The Ghost by Henry Lawson is a haunting and evocative poem that captures the essence of the Australian bush and the loneliness and isolation that can come with living in such remote and inhospitable surroundings. In this 4000-word literary analysis, I will explore the themes, imagery, and language used by Lawson in this classic poem.
Context and Background
Henry Lawson is one of Australia's most celebrated poets and writers. Born in 1867 in Grenfell, New South Wales, Lawson spent much of his life in poverty and hardship, living in various bush towns and mining settlements across the country. His writing reflects the harsh realities of life in the Australian outback, and he is often associated with the "bush ballad" genre.
The Ghost was first published in 1900, and it is one of Lawson's most famous and enduring works. The poem tells the story of a lonely bushman who encounters a ghost while out in the bush, and it is widely regarded as a classic of Australian literature.
Themes
The Ghost touches on several themes that are central to Lawson's writing. The most obvious of these is isolation and loneliness. The bushman in the poem is portrayed as a solitary figure, wandering through the wilderness with no company but his dog. The vastness and emptiness of the landscape only serve to accentuate his sense of isolation, and when he encounters the ghost, it is almost a relief to have someone to talk to, even if that someone is a spectre from beyond the grave.
Another important theme in the poem is death and the supernatural. The ghost is a powerful symbol of mortality and the unknown, and its appearance in the poem serves to remind the bushman of his own mortality. Lawson frequently explores these themes in his writing, and The Ghost is a particularly effective example of his ability to evoke a sense of unease and mystery through his use of imagery and language.
Imagery and Language
Lawson's use of imagery and language in The Ghost is both evocative and atmospheric. He employs a range of techniques to create a sense of the eerie and the otherworldly, such as the use of repetition and alliteration. The opening lines of the poem are a good example of this:
'Twas a quiet night- the moon was shining bright, The gentle breeze was blowing back the blaze Of bushfires, on the ridges capped with white, And faintly from a distance came the baas Of sheep, the watchdog's distant bark, and then A silence on the melancholy plain.
The repetition of "quiet" and "moon" creates a sense of stillness and calm, while the alliteration of "bushfires" and "blowing back" adds a sense of movement and energy. The use of onomatopoeia in "baas" and "bark" also adds to the sensory experience of the poem, as we can almost hear the sounds of the bush in our minds.
As the ghost appears, Lawson's language becomes more vivid and intense. The ghost is described as "a spectral image, tall and white," and its appearance is accompanied by a series of sensory images:
And then it rose before me, ghostly still, And slowly, slowly from the ground upreared A shape that moved with slow and gliding skill, As though some magic spell its being cheered.
The use of "ghostly," "slow," and "gliding" all create a sense of the supernatural, while the alliteration of "spell" and "being" adds to the mysterious and uncanny atmosphere of the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Ghost by Henry Lawson is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of life in the Australian bush. Through his use of imagery and language, Lawson creates a vivid and atmospheric portrait of a lonely bushman encountering a ghost in the wilderness. The themes of isolation, mortality, and the unknown are all explored with great skill and sensitivity, and the poem remains a classic of Australian literature to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ghost by Henry Lawson is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a hauntingly beautiful piece that captures the essence of the Australian bush and the harsh realities of life in the outback. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem begins with a description of a ghostly figure that appears in the night. The speaker describes the figure as "a shadowy form" that "creeps along the ground." The use of the word "shadowy" creates a sense of mystery and uncertainty, while the phrase "creeps along the ground" suggests that the figure is moving stealthily and with purpose.
As the poem progresses, we learn that the ghost is actually the spirit of a man who died in the bush. The speaker describes how the man's body was never found, and how his spirit now wanders the bush, seeking revenge on those who wronged him. The use of the word "revenge" is significant here, as it suggests that the man's death was not accidental, but rather the result of foul play.
The theme of revenge is a common one in literature, and it is particularly relevant in the context of the Australian bush. The harsh, unforgiving landscape of the outback can bring out the worst in people, and it is not uncommon for disputes to be settled with violence. The ghost in the poem represents the darker side of human nature, and serves as a warning to those who would seek to harm others.
The imagery in the poem is also significant. The speaker describes the bush as "lonely" and "desolate," creating a sense of isolation and despair. This is contrasted with the image of the ghost, which is described as "fierce" and "terrible." The use of these contrasting images creates a sense of tension and unease, as the reader is left wondering what the ghost will do next.
The symbolism in the poem is also worth exploring. The ghost is described as wearing a "swag" and carrying a "billy." These are both items that are commonly associated with the Australian bush, and they serve to reinforce the idea that the ghost is a product of his environment. The swag represents the itinerant lifestyle of many bushmen, while the billy is a symbol of the bushman's self-sufficiency.
The use of the word "ghost" is also significant. In many cultures, ghosts are seen as the spirits of the dead who have not yet found peace. The fact that the ghost in the poem is seeking revenge suggests that he has not yet found closure, and is still haunted by the events that led to his death. This is a common theme in literature, and serves to remind us of the importance of resolving conflicts and finding closure in our own lives.
In conclusion, The Ghost by Henry Lawson is a powerful poem that explores the themes of revenge, isolation, and the darker side of human nature. The imagery and symbolism in the poem serve to reinforce these themes, and create a sense of tension and unease that is both haunting and beautiful. As we read the poem, we are reminded of the harsh realities of life in the Australian bush, and the importance of finding closure and resolution in our own lives.
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