Another of Mitchell's Plans for the Future
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his rural home after years away and becomes disillusioned with the harsh realities of country life. He begins to question the values and traditions that have been passed down through generations, leading to a sense of disconnection from his community and heritage. The narrative explores themes of identity, belonging, and the struggle between tradition and progress in a rapidly changing world.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1894 · Genre: Short Story, Humor, Realism · 935 words
First lines
"I'll get down among the cockies along the Lachlan, or some of these rivers," said Mitchell, throwing down his swag beneath a big tree. "A man stands a better show down there. It's a mistake to come out back. I knocked around a good deal down there among the farms. Could always get plenty of tucker, and a job if I wanted it. One cocky I worked for wanted me to stay with him for good. Sorry I didn't. I'd have been better off now. I was treated more like one of the family, and there was a couple of good-looking daughters. One of them was clean gone on me. There are some grand girls down that way. I always got on well with the girls, because I could play the fiddle and sing a bit. They'll be glad to see me when I get back there again, I know. I'll be all right -- no more bother about tucker. I'll just let things slide as soon as I spot the house. I'll bet my boots the kettle will be boiling, and everything in the house will be on the table before I'm there twenty minutes.
What this Textopian page supports
Another of Mitchell's Plans for the Future 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: Short Story, Humor, Realism, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 935 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for Another of Mitchell's Plans for the Future by Henry Lawson
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Short Story — The work is a brief narrative focusing on a single character's musings and plans, typical of short stories.
- Humor — The narrative contains humorous elements, particularly in the protagonist's exaggerated and optimistic plans for the future.
- Realism — The story reflects realistic aspects of rural life and the experiences of itinerant workers in Australia.
- Adventure — The protagonist's plans involve travel and new experiences, characteristic of adventure narratives.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Realism · Regional Fiction · Fictionalized Autobiography · Coming of Age · Male Protagonist · Rural Setting · Class Conflict