But what's the Use by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his rural home after years away and struggles to adapt to the harsh realities of country life. He becomes disillusioned with the community's values and customs, particularly the treatment of women. The narrative explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the clash between traditional and modern ways of living.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Bush Literature, Realism · 442 words
First lines
But what's the use of writing ‘bush' -- Though editors demand it -- For city folk, and farming folk, Can never understand it. They're blind to what the bushman sees The best with eyes shut tightest, Out where the sun is hottest and The stars are most and brightest.
The crows at sunrise flopping round Where some poor life has run down; The pair of emus trotting from The lonely tank at sundown, Their snaky heads well up, and eyes Well out for man's manœuvres, And feathers bobbing round behind Like fringes round improvers.
What this Textopian page supports
But what's the Use is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Bush Literature, Realism, Pastoral, Social Commentary
- Length: 442 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for But what's the Use by Henry Lawson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- Rejected by Henry Lawson
- Remailed by Henry Lawson
- A Visit Of Condolence by Henry Lawson
- Middletons Rouseabout by Henry Lawson
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Bush Literature — The themes and imagery focus on the Australian bush, a hallmark of bush literature.
- Realism — The depiction of the bushman's life and landscape is realistic and grounded in everyday experiences.
- Pastoral — The work contrasts rural life with urban misunderstanding, a common theme in pastoral literature.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Social Commentary · Poverty · Outback Life · Working Class · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Regionalism · Rural Life · Class Struggle