A Case for the Oracle
The story revolves around a young man who seeks guidance from an oracle, a wise and mysterious figure. The oracle's words are cryptic but ultimately lead the young man to discover his own path in life. Along the way, he encounters various characters who challenge his perceptions and force him to confront his own doubts and fears.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1896 · Genre: Short Story, Realism, Humor · 2,588 words
First lines
The Oracle and I were camped together. The Oracle was a bricklayer by trade, and had two or three small contracts on hand. I was "doing a bit of house-painting". There were a plasterer, a carpenter, and a plumber -- we were all T'othersiders, and old mates, and we worked things together. It was in Westralia -- the Land of T'othersiders -- and, therefore, we were not surprised when Mitchell turned up early one morning, with his swag and an atmosphere of salt water about him.
What this Textopian page supports
A Case for the Oracle is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Lawson, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Realism, Humor, Drama, Australian Literature
- Length: 2,588 words
- Structure: 1 section, 69 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Case for the Oracle 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 Case for the Oracle?
- How does this short story by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Story first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Blindness Of One Eyed Bogan by Henry Lawson
- The Bush Undertaker by Henry Lawson
- The Iron Bark Chip by Henry Lawson
- The Drovers Wife by Henry Lawson
- Bush Cats by Henry Lawson
- The Poet And The Peasant by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Story — The narrative is concise, focusing on a single incident involving a small group of characters, typical of short stories.
- Realism — The story portrays everyday life and ordinary characters with a focus on realistic settings and situations.
- Humor — The narrative includes humorous elements, particularly in the interactions and misunderstandings among the characters.
- Drama — The plot involves personal and social conflicts, particularly around the character of Alf and his secretive behavior.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Realism · Regional Fiction · Outback Setting · Working Class Life · Poverty · Exploitation · Corruption