Faces in the Street by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his hometown after years away and struggles to find his place in the community. He is disillusioned with the societal norms and expectations that have changed since he left, and feels disconnected from the people and culture of his youth. As he navigates this new reality, he encounters various characters who embody different aspects of Australian identity, including a bushman, a city dweller, and a woman from a rural community. Through these interactions, the young man grapples with questions about belonging, identity, and the meaning of home. The narrative explores themes of cultural dislocation, social change, and the tension between tradition and modernity. It also touches on issues of class, morality, and the human condition, raising questions about what it means to be Australian in a rapidly changing world.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1899 · Genre: Poetry, Social Commentary, Realism · 989 words
First lines
They lie, the men who tell us in a loud decisive tone That want is here a stranger, and that misery's unknown; For where the nearest suburb and the city proper meet My window-sill is level with the faces in the street -- Drifting past, drifting past, To the beat of weary feet -- While I sorrow for the owners of those faces in the street.
And cause I have to sorrow, in a land so young and fair, To see upon those faces stamped the marks of Want and Care; I look in vain for traces of the fresh and fair and sweet In sallow, sunken faces that are drifting through the street -- Drifting on, drifting on, To the scrape of restless feet; I can sorrow for the owners of the faces in the street.
What this Textopian page supports
Faces in the Street is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1899 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: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Social Commentary, Realism, Political, Australian Literature
- Length: 989 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Faces in the Street by Henry Lawson
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal issues such as poverty, inequality, and urban life.
- Realism — The depiction of urban life and the struggles of the poor is grounded in realistic detail.
- Political — The work addresses themes of revolution and social change, reflecting political concerns.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Social Commentary · Working Class Life · Poverty · Urbanization · Immigration · Class Struggle · Social Justice · Human Condition · Existential Crisis