For'Ard by Henry Lawson (1907)
The story revolves around a young man's struggle to survive and find his place in the harsh Australian outback during the late 19th century. He faces numerous challenges, including poverty, loneliness, and the unforgiving environment. The narrative explores themes of resilience, determination, and the human spirit's capacity for survival against overwhelming odds. The protagonist's journey is marked by moments of hardship, struggle, and ultimately, a glimmer of hope. Through the story, the author portrays the harsh realities of life in rural Australia during this period, highlighting the difficulties faced by those living on the fringes of society.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1907 · Genre: Poetry, Social Commentary, Realism · 1,133 words
First lines
It is stuffy in the steerage where the second-classers sleep, For there's near a hundred for'ard, and they're stowed away like sheep, -- They are trav'lers for the most part in a straight 'n' honest path; But their linen's rather scanty, an' there isn't any bath -- Stowed away like ewes and wethers that is shore 'n' marked 'n' draft. But the shearers of the shearers always seem to travel aft; In the cushioned cabins, aft, With saloons 'n' smoke-rooms, aft -- There is sheets 'n' best of tucker for the first-salooners, aft.
What this Textopian page supports
For'Ard is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1907 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: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Social Commentary, Realism, Narrative Poetry, Maritime
- Length: 1,133 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for For'Ard by Henry Lawson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering For'Ard?
- How does this poem by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and rhyming scheme, characteristic of poetry.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques class distinctions and social inequality, focusing on the disparity between different classes on a ship.
- Realism — The narrative provides a realistic depiction of life and conditions aboard a ship, highlighting the struggles of the lower class.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story through its verses, detailing the experiences and emotions of the characters on the ship.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Regional Fiction · Social Commentary · Working Class Life · Poverty · Rural Australia · Outback · Isolation · Loneliness · Human Condition