Arvie Aspinall's Alarm Clock by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a young man who buys an alarm clock to help him wake up on time for work. However, he finds himself unable to sleep due to the constant ringing of the clock and becomes increasingly frustrated with it. The narrative explores themes of insomnia, anxiety, and the struggle to maintain a routine in modern life.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1896 · Genre: Realism, Social Commentary, Tragedy · 1,530 words
First lines
In one of these years a paragraph appeared in a daily paper to the effect that a constable had discovered a little boy asleep on the steps of Grinder Bros' factory at four o'clock one rainy morning. He awakened him, and demanded an explanation.
The little fellow explained that he worked there, and was frightened of being late; he started work at six, and was apparently greatly astonished to hear that it was only four. The constable examined a small parcel which the frightened child had in his hand. It contained a clean apron and three slices of bread and treacle.
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Genres
- Realism — The story presents a realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by a working-class family, focusing on the harsh realities of poverty and labor.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal indifference to the plight of the poor and highlights the superficial nature of charity from the wealthy.
- Tragedy — The story ends with the tragic death of the young protagonist, emphasizing the grim circumstances of his life.
- Drama — The emotional and dramatic elements are evident in the interactions between Arvie and his mother, and the tension surrounding their dire situation.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Working Class Life · Rural Australia · Everyday Life · Irony · Absurdity · Dark Comedy · Critique of Society
What this Textopian page supports
Arvie Aspinall's Alarm Clock 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: Realism, Social Commentary, Tragedy, Drama, Short Story
- Length: 1,530 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Arvie Aspinall's Alarm Clock by Henry Lawson
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