'The Fire At Ross's Farm' by Henry Lawson
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The squatter saw his pastures wide
Decrease, as one by one
The farmers moving to the west
Selected on his run;
Selectors took the water up
And all the black soil round;
The best grass-land the squatter had
Was spoilt by Ross's Ground.
Now many schemes to shift old Ross
Had racked the squatter's brains,
But Sandy had the stubborn blood
Of Scotland in his veins;
He held the land and fenced it in,
He cleared and ploughed the soil,
And year by year a richer crop
Repaid him for his toil.
Between the homes for many years
The devil left his tracks:
The squatter pounded Ross's stock,
And Sandy pounded Black's.
A well upon the lower run
Was filled with earth and logs,
And Black laid baits about the farm
To poison Ross's dogs.
It was, indeed, a deadly feud
Of class and creed and race;
But, yet, there was a Romeo
And a Juliet in the case;
And more than once across the flats,
Beneath the Southern Cross,
Young Robert Black was seen to ride
With pretty Jenny Ross.
One Christmas time, when months of drought
Had parched the western creeks,
The bush-fires started in the north
And travelled south for weeks.
At night along the river-side
The scene was grand and strange --
The hill-fires looked like lighted streets
Of cities in the range.
The cattle-tracks between the trees
Were like long dusky aisles,
And on a sudden breeze the fire
Would sweep along for miles;
Like sounds of distant musketry
It crackled through the brakes,
And o'er the flat of silver grass
It hissed like angry snakes.
It leapt across the flowing streams
And raced o'er pastures broad;
It climbed the trees and lit the boughs
And through the scrubs it roared.
The bees fell stifled in the smoke
Or perished in their hives,
And with the stock the kangaroos
Went flying for their lives.
The sun had set on Christmas Eve,
When, through the scrub-lands wide,
Young Robert Black came riding home
As only natives ride.
He galloped to the homestead door
And gave the first alarm:
`The fire is past the granite spur,
`And close to Ross's farm.'
`Now, father, send the men at once,
They won't be wanted here;
Poor Ross's wheat is all he has
To pull him through the year.'
`Then let it burn,' the squatter said;
`I'd like to see it done --
I'd bless the fire if it would clear
Selectors from the run.
`Go if you will,' the squatter said,
`You shall not take the men --
Go out and join your precious friends,
And don't come here again.'
`I won't come back,' young Robert cried,
And, reckless in his ire,
He sharply turned his horse's head
And galloped towards the fire.
And there, for three long weary hours,
Half-blind with smoke and heat,
Old Ross and Robert fought the flames
That neared the ripened wheat.
The farmer's hand was nerved by fears
Of danger and of loss;
And Robert fought the stubborn foe
For the love of Jenny Ross.
But serpent-like the curves and lines
Slipped past them, and between,
Until they reached the bound'ry where
The old coach-road had been.
`The track is now our only hope,
There we must stand,' cried Ross,
`For nought on earth can stop the fire
If once it gets across.'
Then came a cruel gust of wind,
And, with a fiendish rush,
The flames leapt o'er the narrow path
And lit the fence of brush.
`The crop must burn!' the farmer cried,
`We cannot save it now,'
And down upon the blackened ground
He dashed the ragged bough.
But wildly, in a rush of hope,
His heart began to beat,
For o'er the crackling fire he heard
The sound of horses' feet.
`Here's help at last,' young Robert cried,
And even as he spoke
The squatter with a dozen men
Came racing through the smoke.
Down on the ground the stockmen jumped
And bared each brawny arm,
They tore green branches from the trees
And fought for Ross's farm;
And when before the gallant band
The beaten flames gave way,
Two grimy hands in friendship joined --
And it was Christmas Day.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fire At Ross's Farm by Henry Lawson: A Classic Depiction of Rural Australian Life
Introduction
Henry Lawson is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated poets of Australia. His poetry often captures the essence of rural Australian life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His poem, "The Fire at Ross's Farm," is a quintessential example of Lawson's poetic style, which combines realism with empathy and insight into the human condition. The poem, written in 1898, tells the story of a farmer's struggle to save his property and livestock from a bushfire. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we shall delve into the meaning, themes, and style of the poem and explore why it remains relevant to this day.
Themes
The poem deals with several interrelated themes such as nature, human endurance, and community spirit. The setting of the poem is a rural farm in Australia, where bushfires are a common occurrence. In this context, nature is depicted as an unpredictable and destructive force that can wreak havoc on human lives and property. The poem portrays the grim reality of farmers who live on the edge of danger, always aware of the threat of bushfires, droughts, and other natural disasters.
However, the poem is not merely a lament on the harshness of nature. It is also a celebration of human endurance and resilience in the face of adversity. The farmer in the poem, Ross, is depicted as a brave and determined man who refuses to give up in the face of the raging fire. He risks his own life to save his property and livestock, and his perseverance pays off in the end. The poem shows how human beings can overcome even the toughest challenges if they have the courage and determination to do so.
Another important theme of the poem is community spirit. The fire at Ross's farm is not fought by Ross alone but with the help of his neighbors. The poem emphasizes the importance of cooperation and solidarity in times of crisis. The neighbors put aside their rivalries and differences and come together to fight the fire. This sense of community spirit is what ultimately saves Ross's farm and demonstrates the power of collective action in the face of danger.
Style
The poem's style is characterized by its simplicity, directness, and realism. Lawson's poetry is often praised for its ability to capture the essence of rural Australian life, and "The Fire at Ross's Farm" is no exception. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme scheme or formal structure. The lack of rhyme and meter gives the verses a sense of spontaneity and naturalness that reflects the rugged, untamed landscape of rural Australia.
The poem's language is also straightforward and unadorned, with no unnecessary embellishments or literary flourishes. The language is used to depict the harsh, brutal reality of life on the farm, with its vivid descriptions of smoke, ash, and flames. The poem's imagery is also powerful, with the fire depicted as a "wild beast" that devours everything in its path. The use of metaphorical language adds to the poem's intensity and emotional impact.
Interpretation
"The Fire at Ross's Farm" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the spirit of rural Australian life. The poem's depiction of nature as a destructive force reflects the harsh reality of life on the farm, where farmers are at the mercy of the elements. The poem's portrayal of human endurance and resilience in the face of adversity is also inspiring, showing how ordinary people can rise to extraordinary challenges if they have the courage and determination to do so.
The poem's emphasis on community spirit is also noteworthy. The poem shows how people can come together in times of crisis and overcome their differences to achieve a common goal. This message is particularly relevant today, as our society becomes increasingly divided and polarized. The poem reminds us of the power of collective action and the importance of working together for the common good.
In conclusion, "The Fire at Ross's Farm" is a classic Australian poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of nature, human endurance, and community spirit are timeless and universal, and its style is marked by its simplicity and realism. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to inspire us to strive for a better world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Fire At Ross's Farm: A Classic Poem by Henry Lawson
Henry Lawson, one of Australia's most celebrated poets, wrote "The Fire At Ross's Farm" in 1896. The poem is a powerful and evocative portrayal of the devastating impact of bushfires on rural communities. It is a classic example of Lawson's ability to capture the essence of Australian life and landscape in his writing.
The poem tells the story of a bushfire that ravages the property of a farmer named Ross. The fire is described in vivid detail, with Lawson using powerful imagery to convey the intensity and destructive force of the flames. The opening lines of the poem set the scene:
"The squatter saw his pastures wide Decrease, as one by one The farmers moving to the west Selected on his run."
Here, Lawson paints a picture of a vast, open landscape, with farmers gradually encroaching on the land of the squatter. The sense of space and freedom is palpable, but it is also clear that this is a harsh and unforgiving environment, where the forces of nature can wreak havoc at any moment.
As the poem progresses, the focus shifts to the fire itself. Lawson's descriptions are both beautiful and terrifying, as he captures the mesmerising beauty of the flames, while also conveying the sense of danger and destruction they bring:
"The sun had set on the western plains And the people round the station Were talking in groups, or walking about In a leisurely relation; When they saw a smoke, like a thin white cloud, Rise up from the ridge in the west; And they knew that the bush was burning then, And the flames were not far to the rest."
Here, Lawson uses the contrast between the peaceful evening scene and the sudden appearance of smoke to create a sense of tension and foreboding. The use of the word "relation" to describe the people's movements also adds to the sense of calm before the storm.
As the fire approaches, the poem becomes more urgent and intense. Lawson's descriptions of the flames are both beautiful and terrifying, as he captures the mesmerising beauty of the flames, while also conveying the sense of danger and destruction they bring:
"The fire-fiend roared through the timbered hills Like a thousand teams of horses, Or a thousand trains on a thousand lines, With a thousand wild applauses."
Here, Lawson uses powerful metaphors to convey the scale and ferocity of the fire. The comparison to horses and trains creates a sense of unstoppable force, while the use of the word "applauses" suggests a sense of malevolent glee on the part of the fire.
As the fire reaches Ross's farm, the poem takes on a more personal and emotional tone. Lawson describes the farmer's desperate attempts to save his property, and the devastating impact of the fire on his family and livelihood:
"His wife was there, and his little ones, And their screams were heard afar, As they cried, 'Oh save us, father dear, From the fire, the dreadful fire!'"
Here, Lawson uses simple, direct language to convey the horror of the situation. The use of the word "dreadful" emphasises the sense of fear and helplessness felt by the family, while the repetition of the word "fire" creates a sense of urgency and desperation.
Despite the tragedy and loss depicted in the poem, there is also a sense of resilience and hope. Lawson's final lines suggest that, even in the face of such devastation, life goes on:
"And the blackened stumps of the burnt-out trees Were standing all around, With the cattle wandering through the smoke, And the crops all blackened on the ground."
Here, Lawson uses the image of the burnt-out trees and crops to symbolise the destruction wrought by the fire. However, the fact that the cattle are still wandering through the smoke suggests that life will continue, even in the face of such adversity.
In conclusion, "The Fire At Ross's Farm" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Australian life and landscape. Through his vivid descriptions and powerful imagery, Henry Lawson conveys the devastating impact of bushfires on rural communities, while also highlighting the resilience and hope that can emerge in the aftermath of tragedy. It is a classic example of Lawson's ability to capture the beauty and brutality of the Australian bush, and remains a timeless work of Australian literature.
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