A Visit of Condolence
The story revolves around a young man who visits his mother's grave after a long absence. He reflects on their past relationship and the circumstances that led to her death. The narrative explores themes of guilt, regret, and the complexities of human relationships.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1892 · Genre: Realism, Drama, Social Commentary · 2,075 words
First lines
"Does Arvie live here, old woman?"
"Why?"
What this Textopian page supports
A Visit of Condolence is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Lawson, dated 1892 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: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Drama, Social Commentary, Tragedy, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,075 words
- Structure: 1 section, 67 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Visit of Condolence 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 Visit of Condolence?
- How does this short story by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Remailed by Henry Lawson
- Some Day by Henry Lawson
- The Union Buries Its Dead by Henry Lawson
- The Wooden Shoes by Guy De Maupassant
- The Cattle Dealers by Anton Chekhov
- But Whats The Use by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Realism — The narrative focuses on the everyday life and struggles of working-class individuals, depicting their hardships and emotions in a realistic manner.
- Drama — The story explores intense emotional themes such as grief, poverty, and resilience, creating a dramatic impact on the reader.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal issues like poverty, labor exploitation, and the harsh realities faced by the lower class.
- Tragedy — The narrative centers around the death of a young boy and the subsequent suffering of his family, highlighting the tragic aspects of their lives.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Social Commentary · Poverty · Outback Life · Working Class · Rural Australia · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Regionalism · Class Struggle