Macquarie's Mate by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his rural home after serving in the military during World War I. He struggles to adjust to civilian life and finds it difficult to reconcile his experiences with the harsh realities of rural Australia. The narrative explores themes of disillusionment, identity crisis, and the clash between traditional values and modernity.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1909 · Genre: Australian Literature, Short Story, Realism · 2,081 words
First lines
The chaps in the bar of Stiffner's shanty were talking about Macquarie, an absent shearer -- who seemed, from their conversation, to be better known than liked by them.
"I ain't seen Macquarie for ever so long," remarked Box-o'-Tricks, after a pause. "Wonder where he could 'a' got to?"
What this Textopian page supports
Macquarie's Mate is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Lawson, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Australian Literature, Short Story, Realism, Drama, Social Commentary
- Length: 2,081 words
- Structure: 1 section, 56 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Macquarie's Mate 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 Macquarie's Mate?
- How does this short story by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Australian Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Two Larrikins by Henry Lawson
- Stragglers by Henry Lawson
- Meeting Old Mates by Henry Lawson
- The Story Of Gentleman Once by Henry Lawson
- In A Wet Season by Henry Lawson
- The Boozers Home by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Australian Literature — The story is set in the Australian outback and reflects the culture and lifestyle of rural Australia.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and focuses on a single incident, typical of short story structure.
- Realism — The depiction of characters and settings is grounded in realistic portrayals of life in the Australian bush.
- Drama — The story involves intense emotional and social conflicts among the characters.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Outback Fiction · Colonial Era · Historical Fiction · Social Realism · Working Class Life · Rural Australia · Gold Rush Era · Mate Culture · Male Bonding · Friendship