Across the Straits by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after years abroad and becomes embroiled in the lives of those he left behind. He finds himself drawn into a world of poverty, hardship, and social injustice, which contrasts sharply with the life he had built for himself overseas. As he navigates this new reality, he must confront the harsh realities of his homeland and the people who inhabit it. Through his experiences, the narrative explores themes of identity, community, and the complexities of human relationships. The protagonist's interactions with various characters serve to highlight the social and economic disparities that exist within the community, as well as the resilience and resourcefulness of those who are struggling to survive. Ultimately, the story presents a nuanced portrayal of life in a rural Australian town during this period, one that is marked by both hardship and hope.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1909 · Genre: Travel, Adventure, Humor · 2,374 words
First lines
We crossed Cook's Straits from Wellington in one of those rusty little iron tanks that go up and down and across there for twenty or thirty years and never get wrecked -- for no other reason, apparently, than that they have every possible excuse to go ashore or go down on those stormy coasts. The age, construction, or condition of these boats, and the south-easters, and the construction of the coastline, are all decidedly in favour of their going down; the fares are high and the accommodation is small and dirty. It is always the same where there is no competition.
What this Textopian page supports
Across the Straits is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Lawson, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Travel, Adventure, Humor, Social Commentary, Realism
- Length: 2,374 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Across the Straits 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 Across the Straits?
- How does this short story by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Travel first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Coming Across by Henry Lawson
- On The Edge Of A Plain by Henry Lawson
- A Day On A Selection by Henry Lawson
- Steelmans Pupil by Henry Lawson
- An Oversight Of Steelmans by Henry Lawson
- Out Back by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Travel — The narrative focuses on a journey across Cook's Straits, detailing the travel experience and conditions.
- Adventure — The story involves a voyage with elements of risk and uncertainty, typical of adventure tales.
- Humor — The writing style includes humorous reflections and anecdotes about the travel experience.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques the lack of competition in transportation and its impact on service quality and pricing.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Classic Fiction · Realism · Regionalism · Social Commentary · Poverty · Working Class Life · Maritime Industry · Fishing Village · Isolation · Loneliness