Johnson's Wonder by Henry Lawson
The narrative follows a traveler who encounters a man named Johnson and his wife during a sea voyage. Johnson is portrayed as a self-satisfied individual, oblivious to the manipulations and deceptions occurring around him. His wife, in contrast, is depicted as flirtatious and cunning, engaging in various escapades while Johnson remains unaware. Throughout the journey, Johnson observes the interactions of other passengers, including two women who play off each other to attract attention, a third-class passenger who foolishly spends money on a woman who ultimately rejects him, and a married couple where the wife openly disrespects her husband. Each scenario highlights Johnson's naivety and his incredulity at how easily others are deceived. As the story progresses, Johnson's wife takes advantage of his ignorance, engaging in an affair with another passenger while he is preoccupied with his own thoughts. The traveler witnesses this betrayal, contrasting Johnson's serene demeanor with the reality of his wife's actions. The narrative concludes with Johnson and his wife living a seemingly content life, with Johnson still perplexed by the gullibility of those around him, encapsulating the theme of ignorance versus awareness in human relationships.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1901 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Narrative · 751 words
First lines
I'd been right round by overlands to see the world and life, And on the boat at Plymouth I met Johnson and his wife; He was a man who knew the world and wore the know-all smile -- His wife a silly pussy cat -- the soft, obedient style. His constant source of comfort was his life was all serene, His ceaseless source of wonder was that "men could be so green".
What this Textopian page supports
Johnson's Wonder is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Lawson, dated 1901 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Narrative, Social Commentary, Travel Literature
- Length: 751 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Johnson's Wonder 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
- What should a reader notice first when entering Johnson's Wonder?
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Similar titles
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- The Horse And Cart Ferry by Henry Lawson
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Satire — The poem critiques social behaviors and human folly, particularly the naivety of men, through humor and irony.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story about Johnson and his observations, providing a narrative structure.
- Social Commentary — The themes reflect on societal norms and relationships, offering insights into human behavior.
Tags
Henry Lawson · poetry · Australian literature · satire · marriage · relationships · human nature · irony · travel · observation · social commentary · character study