In the Days when the World was Wide
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his rural home after years away and reflects on the changes that have taken place in his community. He recalls the old days when life was simpler and people were more honest, but now he sees greed and corruption everywhere. The narrative explores themes of nostalgia, disillusionment, and the decline of traditional values.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1910 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Adventure · 935 words
First lines
The world is narrow and ways are short, and our lives are dull and slow, For little is new where the crowds resort, and less where the wanderers go; Greater, or smaller, the same old things we see by the dull road-side -- And tired of all is the spirit that sings of the days when the world was wide.
When the North was hale in the march of Time, and the South and the West were new, And the gorgeous East was a pantomime, as it seemed in our boyhood's view; When Spain was first on the waves of change, and proud in the ranks of pride, And all was wonderful, new and strange in the days when the world was wide.
What this Textopian page supports
In the Days when the World was Wide is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Adventure, Nostalgia, Social Commentary
- Length: 935 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In the Days when the World was Wide 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
- The Ships That Wont Go Down by Henry Lawson
- The Battling Days by Henry Lawson
- The Lights Of Cobb And Co by Henry Lawson
- Out Back by Henry Lawson
- The Songs They Used To Sing by Henry Lawson
- Taking His Chance by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- Historical — The text reflects on past eras, exploring historical events and societal changes.
- Adventure — Themes of exploration and the spirit of adventure are prominent throughout the work.
- Nostalgia — The work expresses a longing for the past and a critique of contemporary life.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Stories · Classic Fiction · Outback Life · Rural Australia · Colonial Era · Social Commentary · Poverty · Hardship · Survival · Human Condition · Realism