An Incident at Stiffner'S
The story revolves around a group of men who are struggling to survive on the land during a severe drought. They are forced to confront their own mortality and the harsh realities of life in rural Australia. The narrative explores themes of masculinity, community, and the human condition.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1895 · Genre: Realism, Short Story, Australian Literature · 2,933 words
First lines
They called him "Stiffner" because he used, long before, to get a living by poisoning wild dogs near the Queensland border. The name stuck to him closer than misfortune did, for when he rose to the proud and independent position of landlord and sole proprietor of an out-back pub he was Stiffner still, and his place was "Stiffner's" -- widely known.
What this Textopian page supports
An Incident at Stiffner'S is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Lawson, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Short Story, Australian Literature, Social Commentary, Humor
- Length: 2,933 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Incident at Stiffner'S 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 An Incident at Stiffner'S?
- 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
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- Remailed by Henry Lawson
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Genres
- Realism — The story provides a detailed and unembellished depiction of life in the Australian outback, focusing on the everyday experiences and struggles of its characters.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and focused, typical of a short story format, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Australian Literature — The setting, characters, and themes are deeply rooted in the Australian landscape and culture, reflecting the social and economic conditions of the time.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques aspects of society, such as the effects of alcohol and the treatment of women, highlighting social issues prevalent in the setting.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Rural Setting · Outback · Bush Life · Working Class · Labor Movement · Class Struggle · Poverty