'Up The Country' by Henry Lawson
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I am back from up the country -- very sorry that I went --
Seeking for the Southern poets' land whereon to pitch my tent;
I have lost a lot of idols, which were broken on the track,
Burnt a lot of fancy verses, and I'm glad that I am back.
Further out may be the pleasant scenes of which our poets boast,
But I think the country's rather more inviting round the coast.
Anyway, I'll stay at present at a boarding-house in town,
Drinking beer and lemon-squashes, taking baths and cooling down.
`Sunny plains'!Great Scott! -- those burning
wastes of barren soil and sand
With their everlasting fences stretching out across the land!
Desolation where the crow is!Desert where the eagle flies,
Paddocks where the luny bullock starts and stares with reddened eyes;
Where, in clouds of dust enveloped, roasted bullock-drivers creep
Slowly past the sun-dried shepherd dragged behind his crawling sheep.
Stunted peak of granite gleaming, glaring like a molten mass
Turned from some infernal furnace on a plain devoid of grass.
Miles and miles of thirsty gutters -- strings of muddy water-holes
In the place of `shining rivers' -- `walled by cliffs and forest boles.'
Barren ridges, gullies, ridges! where the ever-madd'ning flies --
Fiercer than the plagues of Egypt -- swarm about your blighted eyes!
Bush! where there is no horizon! where the buried bushman sees
Nothing -- Nothing! but the sameness of the ragged, stunted trees!
Lonely hut where drought's eternal, suffocating atmosphere
Where the God-forgotten hatter dreams of city life and beer.
Treacherous tracks that trap the stranger,
endless roads that gleam and glare,
Dark and evil-looking gullies, hiding secrets here and there!
Dull dumb flats and stony rises, where the toiling bullocks bake,
And the sinister `gohanna', and the lizard, and the snake.
Land of day and night -- no morning freshness, and no afternoon,
When the great white sun in rising bringeth summer heat in June.
Dismal country for the exile, when the shades begin to fall
From the sad heart-breaking sunset, to the new-chum worst of all.
Dreary land in rainy weather, with the endless clouds that drift
O'er the bushman like a blanket that the Lord will never lift --
Dismal land when it is raining -- growl of floods, and, oh! the woosh
Of the rain and wind together on the dark bed of the bush --
Ghastly fires in lonely humpies where the granite rocks are piled
In the rain-swept wildernesses that are wildest of the wild.
Land where gaunt and haggard women live alone and work like men,
Till their husbands, gone a-droving, will return to them again:
Homes of men! if home had ever such a God-forgotten place,
Where the wild selector's children fly before a stranger's face.
Home of tragedy applauded by the dingoes' dismal yell,
Heaven of the shanty-keeper -- fitting fiend for such a hell --
And the wallaroos and wombats, and, of course, the curlew's call --
And the lone sundowner tramping ever onward through it all!
I am back from up the country, up the country where I went
Seeking for the Southern poets' land whereon to pitch my tent;
I have shattered many idols out along the dusty track,
Burnt a lot of fancy verses -- and I'm glad that I am back.
I believe the Southern poets' dream will not be realised
Till the plains are irrigated and the land is humanised.
I intend to stay at present, as I said before, in town
Drinking beer and lemon-squashes, taking baths and cooling down.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Up The Country by Henry Lawson: A Journey Through the Real Australia
As a reader, have you ever come across a poem that made you feel like you were actually there, experiencing every word with your own senses? A poem that transports you to a whole different world, a world you never knew existed? Henry Lawson's "Up The Country" does exactly that. As a classic piece of Australian literature, it takes the reader on a journey through the heart of the Australian outback, showing both its beauty and its harshness.
Context and Background
Henry Lawson was a renowned Australian writer and poet who lived from 1867 to 1922. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in Australian literature and is known for his realistic approach towards Australian life and culture. "Up The Country" was published in 1892, at a time when Australia was still a young nation, and the people were discovering the vast interiors of the country.
The poem is a narrative of a journey Lawson took up the country, which refers to the inland regions of Australia. The journey was a common one in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as people began to explore and settle the vast expanses of the continent. The poem captures the essence of that time and place, and it remains a classic piece of Australian literature to this day.
Interpretation
The poem begins with Lawson describing the journey up the country. He describes the scenery and the people, giving the reader a sense of the vastness of the land and the harshness of the conditions. He notes the heat, the dust, and the flies, but he also notes the beauty of the landscape, with its wide open spaces and endless skies. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions that bring the journey to life.
As the journey continues, Lawson encounters various people along the way, each with their own stories and struggles. He meets a swagman, a lonely wanderer who is down on his luck, and a drover, who is struggling to keep his cattle alive in the harsh conditions. He meets a woman who is mourning her dead child and a miner who is searching for gold. Each encounter gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of these people and the challenges they face in the outback.
The poem also touches on the theme of isolation, which was a common experience for many people living in the outback. Lawson talks about the loneliness of the swagman and the woman who has lost her child. He describes the isolation of the drover, who is miles away from civilization, and the miner, who is searching for gold in a remote part of the country. The theme of isolation adds to the sense of the harshness of the outback and the challenges that people faced in trying to survive there.
At the end of the poem, Lawson describes the arrival at a new town, which is a welcome relief after the long journey up the country. He notes the excitement of the people, who are eager for news from the outside world. He also notes the sense of community that exists in the town, with people helping each other and coming together in times of need. This sense of community is a stark contrast to the isolation of the outback and shows the importance of human connection in the face of adversity.
Literary Criticism
As a piece of literature, "Up The Country" is a masterful example of realism. Lawson's descriptions are so vivid and detailed that the reader can almost smell the dust and feel the heat of the outback. His characters are well developed and their stories are compelling, showing the struggles and challenges of life in the outback. The poem captures the essence of a time and a place, and it does so with a realism that is both impressive and effective.
The theme of isolation is also a key aspect of the poem. Lawson shows how isolation can be both a blessing and a curse, offering a sense of freedom and adventure while also providing challenges and dangers. He also shows the importance of human connection in the face of isolation, highlighting the need for community and support in difficult times.
Finally, the poem is a testament to the beauty and harshness of the Australian outback. Lawson's descriptions of the landscape and the people bring the journey to life, showing the reader a world that is both awe-inspiring and challenging. The poem remains a classic piece of Australian literature, and it continues to inspire readers with its realism, its themes, and its vivid descriptions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Up The Country" by Henry Lawson is a masterpiece of Australian literature. It captures the essence of a time and a place, showcasing the beauty and harshness of the Australian outback. It is a testament to the power of realism in literature, and it remains a classic piece of Australian culture. As a reader, it is impossible not to be swept away by Lawson's descriptions and his characters, and to feel a sense of awe and respect for the people who lived and survived in the outback. "Up The Country" is a journey that every reader should take, and it is a journey that will stay with you long after the poem has ended.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Up The Country: A Masterpiece of Australian Literature
Henry Lawson, one of the most celebrated Australian writers, is known for his realistic and poignant portrayals of the Australian bush and its people. His works have become an integral part of Australian literature, and his poem "Poetry Up The Country" is no exception. This masterpiece of Australian literature is a reflection of Lawson's deep love for the Australian bush and his passion for poetry.
"Poetry Up The Country" is a poem that captures the essence of the Australian bush and its people. The poem is set in the Australian outback, where the narrator is travelling through the bush and observing the people and the landscape around him. The poem is written in a conversational tone, and the narrator speaks directly to the reader, inviting them to join him on his journey.
The poem begins with the narrator describing the landscape around him. He talks about the "sunset on the ranges," the "gum trees' shadows," and the "wattle's golden blaze." These descriptions are vivid and evocative, and they paint a picture of the Australian bush that is both beautiful and harsh. The narrator's love for the bush is evident in his descriptions, and he invites the reader to share in his appreciation of the landscape.
As the narrator travels through the bush, he encounters a group of men who are sitting around a campfire. These men are described as "bushmen," and they are the subject of the narrator's admiration. The narrator describes the bushmen as "hardy sons of toil," and he marvels at their resilience and toughness. The bushmen are depicted as stoic and self-reliant, and the narrator sees them as the embodiment of the Australian spirit.
The narrator then turns his attention to the bushmen's conversation. He describes how they are discussing poetry, and he is surprised by their knowledge and appreciation of the art form. The bushmen are not the stereotypical rough and uneducated men that many people associate with the Australian bush. Instead, they are shown to be intelligent and cultured, with a deep appreciation for poetry.
The narrator then joins in the conversation, and he recites a poem that he has written. The poem is about the Australian bush, and it is a celebration of its beauty and its people. The bushmen are impressed by the poem, and they encourage the narrator to recite more of his work. The narrator then recites several more poems, each one a tribute to the Australian bush and its people.
The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on the power of poetry. He talks about how poetry can bring people together and how it can inspire them to appreciate the beauty of the world around them. He also reflects on the importance of the Australian bush and its people, and he sees them as a source of inspiration for his poetry.
"Poetry Up The Country" is a masterpiece of Australian literature, and it is a testament to Henry Lawson's talent as a writer. The poem captures the essence of the Australian bush and its people, and it celebrates their resilience, toughness, and beauty. The poem is also a celebration of poetry itself, and it shows how poetry can bring people together and inspire them to appreciate the world around them.
In conclusion, "Poetry Up The Country" is a must-read for anyone who loves Australian literature. It is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of the Australian bush and its people. Henry Lawson's talent as a writer is on full display in this poem, and it is a testament to his deep love for the Australian bush and his passion for poetry.
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