At the Tug-Of-War by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a group of men engaged in a tug-of-war competition on a rural property. The narrator describes the scene and the participants, highlighting their physical characteristics and personalities. As the competition begins, the tension builds, and the men strain against each other. The narrator notes the sounds and movements of the crowd, as well as the reactions of the participants. The story is a commentary on the social dynamics of rural Australia during this time period, with the tug-of-war serving as a metaphor for the struggles and conflicts that arise in small communities. Throughout the narrative, the author explores themes of masculinity, community, and the human condition. The story is written in a descriptive style, with vivid imagery and a focus on the physical and emotional experiences of the characters.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, Narrative, Family · 394 words
First lines
'Twas in a tug-of-war where I -- the guvnor's hope and pride -- Stepped proudly on the platform as the ringer on my side; Old dad was in his glory there -- it gave the old man joy To fight a passage through the crowd and barrack for his boy.
A friend came up and said to me, ‘Put out your muscles, John, And pull them to eternity -- your guvnor's looking on. ' I paused before I grasped the rope, and glanced around the place, And, foremost in the waiting crowd, I saw the old man's face.
What this Textopian page supports
At the Tug-Of-War is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Narrative, Family, Sports, Inspirational
- Length: 394 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At the Tug-Of-War by Henry Lawson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering At the Tug-Of-War?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, focusing on a personal experience.
- Family — The central theme revolves around the relationship between the narrator and his father.
- Sports — The setting and main event of the poem is a tug-of-war competition.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Working Class Life · Rural Australia · Fiction · Realism · Regionalism · Tug-of-War