'Cherry - Tree Inn' by Henry Lawson
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The rafters are open to sun, moon, and star,
Thistles and nettles grow high in the bar --
The chimneys are crumbling, the log fires are dead,
And green mosses spring from the hearthstone instead.
The voices are silent, the bustle and din,
For the railroad hath ruined the Cherry-tree Inn.
Save the glimmer of stars, or the moon's pallid streams,
And the sounds of the 'possums that camp on the beams,
The bar-room is dark and the stable is still,
For the coach comes no more over Cherry-tree Hill.
No riders push on through the darkness to win
The rest and the comfort of Cherry-tree Inn.
I drift from my theme, for my memory strays
To the carrying, digging, and bushranging days --
Far back to the seasons that I love the best,
When a stream of wild diggers rushed into the west,
But the `rushes' grew feeble, and sluggish, and thin,
Till scarcely a swagman passed Cherry-tree Inn.
Do you think, my old mate (if it's thinking you be),
Of the days when you tramped to the goldfields with me?
Do you think of the day of our thirty-mile tramp,
When never a fire could we light on the camp,
And, weary and footsore and drenched to the skin,
We tramped through the darkness to Cherry-tree Inn?
Then I had a sweetheart and you had a wife,
And Johnny was more to his mother than life;
But we solemnly swore, ere that evening was done,
That we'd never return till our fortunes were won.
Next morning to harvests of folly and sin
We tramped o'er the ranges from Cherry-tree Inn.
.....
The years have gone over with many a change,
And there comes an old swagman from over the range,
And faint 'neath the weight of his rain-sodden load,
He suddenly thinks of the inn by the road.
He tramps through the darkness the shelter to win,
And reaches the ruins of Cherry-tree Inn.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Cherry-Tree Inn: A Masterpiece in Australian Poetry
When it comes to Australian literature, Henry Lawson is one of the most celebrated writers of all times. Born on 17th June 1867 in Grenfell, New South Wales, Lawson became a prominent figure in the Australian literary scene during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He wrote about the struggles of the Australian working class, depicted life in the Australian bush and explored the unique aspects of Australian culture. In this literary criticism, we are going to delve into one of Lawson's most famous poems, Cherry-Tree Inn, and explore its themes, style, and interpretation.
Background
Cherry-Tree Inn was written by Henry Lawson in 1899 and was published in the Bulletin on 8th July of the same year. The poem tells the story of a man who is travelling through the bush and finds himself at the Cherry-Tree Inn. The poem has a melancholy tone as it explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human desire for companionship. Lawson himself was no stranger to these themes, having experienced loneliness and isolation in his own life. This poem reflects his own experiences as well as the experiences of many Australians who lived in the bush during the late 1800s.
Themes
One of the main themes in Cherry-Tree Inn is loneliness. The protagonist of the poem is a solitary figure who is travelling through the bush in search of companionship. He is described as being "far from the city's dust and heat" which suggests that he has intentionally removed himself from the company of others. However, as he travels through the bush, he becomes increasingly lonely and longs for human contact. This is evident when he says, "And the loneliness take a hold of me, And the glare of the sun burns free."
Another theme in the poem is isolation. The protagonist is isolated from society and is living on the fringes of civilisation. He is forced to seek refuge in a small inn in the middle of nowhere, which further emphasises his isolation. The fact that the inn is named after a cherry tree suggests that it too is isolated from society and is living on the edge of civilisation. The cherry tree is a symbol of beauty and fragility, and its presence in the poem suggests that the protagonist has found a place of beauty in the midst of his isolation.
The theme of companionship is also explored in the poem. The protagonist longs for human contact and is delighted when he meets the people at the inn. He is grateful for their company and is willing to pay for it. This suggests that he values human contact and is willing to go to great lengths to obtain it. The fact that the people at the inn are willing to accept his money also suggests that they too value companionship.
Style
Lawson's style in Cherry-Tree Inn is simple and straightforward. He uses simple language and avoids complex metaphors and imagery. This is in keeping with his desire to represent life in the bush as accurately as possible. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Lawson to convey the protagonist's emotions without being constrained by a fixed rhyme or metre.
The use of repetition in the poem also contributes to its style. The phrase "far from the city's dust and heat" is repeated several times throughout the poem, which emphasises the protagonist's isolation and highlights the contrast between city life and life in the bush. The repetition of the phrase "And the loneliness take a hold of me" further emphasises the protagonist's loneliness and reinforces the melancholy tone of the poem.
Interpretation
Cherry-Tree Inn is a deeply emotional poem that explores the human desire for companionship and the pain of loneliness and isolation. The protagonist is a symbol of the Australian working class who lived in the bush during the late 1800s. He is a solitary figure who is seeking human contact and is willing to pay for it. The fact that the people at the inn are willing to accept his money suggests that they too value companionship and are willing to provide it, even if it means living on the fringes of society.
The cherry tree is a symbol of beauty and fragility, and its presence in the poem suggests that even in the midst of isolation and loneliness, there is still beauty to be found. The fact that the inn is named after the cherry tree reinforces this idea and suggests that the protagonist has found a place of beauty in the midst of his isolation.
In conclusion, Cherry-Tree Inn is a masterpiece in Australian poetry that explores universal themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human desire for companionship. Henry Lawson's simple style and use of repetition contribute to the emotional impact of the poem, which remains a poignant reflection of life in the bush during the late 1800s. This poem is a testament to Lawson's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of Australian life in his writing.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Cherry-Tree Inn: A Classic Poem by Henry Lawson
If you are a fan of Australian literature, then you must have come across the name Henry Lawson. He is one of the most celebrated poets and writers in Australia, and his works have been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike. One of his most famous poems is the Cherry-Tree Inn, which is a classic example of his unique style and perspective.
The Cherry-Tree Inn is a narrative poem that tells the story of a group of travelers who stop at an inn for the night. The inn is located in the middle of nowhere, and the travelers are tired and hungry. The innkeeper, who is a woman, welcomes them and offers them food and shelter. The travelers are grateful for her kindness and settle down for the night.
As they sit around the fire, the travelers start to talk about their lives and experiences. They share stories of love, loss, and adventure. The innkeeper listens to their stories and offers them words of wisdom and comfort. She is a kind and compassionate woman who has seen the world and understands the struggles of life.
The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which is typical of Lawson's writing. He uses everyday language and imagery to create a vivid picture of the inn and its inhabitants. The poem is also filled with symbolism and metaphor, which adds depth and meaning to the story.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the cherry tree that stands outside the inn. The tree is described as being old and gnarled, with branches that reach out like arms. The cherry tree is a symbol of life and resilience. It represents the struggles and hardships that the travelers have faced in their lives, and the hope and strength that they have found to keep going.
The innkeeper is also a symbol of hope and strength. She is a woman who has faced many challenges in her life, but she has not given up. She has found a way to survive and thrive, and she offers this same hope and strength to the travelers who come to her inn. She is a mother figure who provides comfort and guidance to those who need it.
The Cherry-Tree Inn is also a commentary on the human condition. It shows how we are all connected by our experiences and struggles. We all have stories to tell, and we all need someone to listen to us and offer us comfort and guidance. The poem is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, and that there is always hope and strength to be found.
In conclusion, the Cherry-Tree Inn is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and poignant story that speaks to the human experience. Henry Lawson's unique style and perspective make this poem a must-read for anyone interested in Australian literature. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and strength to be found, and that we are all connected by our experiences and struggles.
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