A Camp-Fire Yarn by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a group of men who gather at a campfire to share tales and experiences from their lives. The narrative is presented through the voice of one of these men, who recounts his adventures in the Australian outback. He describes his journey on foot across the desert, facing numerous challenges such as scorching heat, lack of water, and encounters with wild animals. Along the way, he meets various characters, including a group of Aboriginal people who teach him how to survive in the harsh environment. The story also touches on themes of loneliness, hardship, and the resilience of the human spirit. The narrator's experiences serve as a testament to the ability of individuals to persevere in the face of adversity. Throughout the narrative, the author employs vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape and the people who inhabit it, creating a sense of authenticity and immersion for the reader.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1894 · Genre: Humor, Short Story, Australian Literature · 1,701 words
First lines
"This girl," said Mitchell, continuing a yarn to his mate, "was about the ugliest girl I ever saw, except one, and I'll tell you about her directly. The old man had a carpenter's shop fixed up in a shed at the back of his house, and he used to work there pretty often, and sometimes I'd come over and yarn with him. One day I was sitting on the end of the bench, and the old man was working away, and Mary was standing there too, all three of us yarning -- she mostly came poking round where I was if I happened to be on the premises -- or at least I thought so -- and we got yarning about getting married, and the old cove said he'd get married again if the old woman died.
What this Textopian page supports
A Camp-Fire Yarn is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Lawson, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Short Story, Australian Literature, Realism, Romance
- Length: 1,701 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Camp-Fire Yarn by Henry Lawson
- 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 A Camp-Fire Yarn?
- How does this short story by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Sez You by Henry Lawson
- Dossing Out And Camping by Henry Lawson
- Joe Wilson And His Mates by Henry Lawson
- Send Round The Hat by Henry Lawson
- Our Pipes by Henry Lawson
- Enter Mitchell by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Humor — The narrative is filled with humorous anecdotes and situations, particularly focusing on the absurdity of romantic misunderstandings and social interactions.
- Short Story — The work is structured as a concise narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end, typical of short stories.
- Australian Literature — The setting, characters, and dialogue reflect Australian culture and rural life, a common theme in this genre.
- Realism — The story portrays everyday life and ordinary characters in a realistic manner, focusing on plausible events and interactions.
Tags
Australian literature · Short story collection · Realism · Regional fiction · Outback setting · Working class life · Social commentary · Humor · Satire · Folkloric elements · Oral storytelling tradition · Campfire narrative