On The Wallaby, The Diary of a Queensland Swagma
The On The Wallaby: The Diary of a Queensland Swagman is a work written by Edward S. Sorenson. It is a first-hand account of the life of a swagman, or itinerant worker, in the Australian outback during the late 19th century. The book follows the journey of a swagman as he travels from one place to another, looking for work and a place to stay. Along the way, he meets a variety of people, from fellow swagmen to Aboriginal people, and experiences the harshness of the outback. He also encounters the beauty of the land, and the kindness of strangers. The book is a vivid and detailed account of the swagman's life, and provides an insight into the hardships and joys of life in the outback. It is a fascinating look at a way of life that has all but disappeared in modern Australia.
By Edward S. Sorenson · First published 1915 · Genre: Biography, Travel Writing, Historical Fiction · 15 chapters · 34,962 words
First lines
From the status of an "esteemed citizen" in comparative affluence to the humble lot of a swagman was not an easy transition, though the drop was an abrupt one.
I remember how ashamed I was at the start, though there was really nothing to be ashamed of in a man going on the track to look for a job, and carrying his bed and his wardrobe with him. It showed independence and grit. Nobody knew me in Brisbane, yet I fancied that everybody in the streets was looking at me as though I were an oddity in the human throng. I had strapped my swag up into a short bundle, and I carried it under my arm so that it would look like a parcel.
What this Textopian page supports
On The Wallaby, The Diary of a Queensland Swagman is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edward S. Sorenson, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edward S. Sorenson
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Travel Writing, Historical Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 34,962 words
- Structure: 15 chapters, 653 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for On The Wallaby, The Diary of a Queensland Swagman by Edward S. Sorenson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering On The Wallaby, The Diary of a Queensland Swagman?
- How does this novel by Edward S. Sorenson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Biography first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Biography — The book is a diary of a Queensland swagman, written by Edward S. Sorenson, which makes it a biography.
- Travel Writing — The book is a diary of a Queensland swagman, which makes it a travel writing.
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in Queensland, which makes it a historical fiction.
- Adventure — The book is about a swagman's journey, which makes it an adventure.
Tags
Australia · Queensland · swagman · diary · travel · adventure · outback · bush life · nature · landscape · historical · memoir
Contents
- Chapter 1: Setting Out from Brisbane -- Getting Directions
- Chapter 2: Rules of the Track--a Diverting Hour With a Veteran
- Chapter 3: The First Night Out--travellers' Fires
- Chapter 4: Matilda Breeze--kenny Rye
- Chapter 5: Kenny's Old Friends--a Night Adventure--'brumby' Bill Willet
- Chapter 6: Nanango--arty the Tinker--bush Fires
- Chapter 7: Mixed. Drinks--a Pleasant Night at Taabinga-- a Long Stage to Burrandowan
- Chapter 8: A Man from Aramac. -- Bush Cook's.--"shovelling Archie."
- Chapter 9: The Last Match,--possums.--aboriginal Managers.--the Travellers' Hut
- Chapter 10: A Long "short Cut"--the Bard of Juandah
- Chapter 11: On the Dawson River.--leichhardt's Track.--wool-o
- Chapter 12: Eurombah.--george Boyce.--a Deal in Brumbies
- Chapter 13: Hornet Bank--grim Memories of the Blacks
- Chapter 14: Night Duty--cooking for Crows--george Gets Bushed--strathmore
- Chapter 15: In a Scalper's Camp--a Night Attack--westward-ho