Mary Lemaine by Henry Lawson (1908)
The novel revolves around Mary, a young woman who marries a man from the city and moves to the bush. She struggles to adapt to her new life and the harsh realities of rural Australia. Her husband's family is poor and struggling, and Mary finds herself taking on more responsibilities than she anticipated.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1908 · Genre: Bushranger Fiction, Romance, Adventure · 573 words
First lines
Jim Duff was a ‘native,' as wild as could be; A stealer and duffer of cattle was he, But back in his youth he had stolen a pearl -- Or a diamond rather -- the heart of a girl; She served with a squatter who lived on the plain, And the name of the girl it was Mary Lemaine.
'Twas a drear, rainy day and the twilight was done, When four mounted troopers rode up to the run. They spoke to the squatter: he asked them all in. The homestead was small and the walls they were thin; And in the next room, with a cold in her head, Our Mary was sewing on buttons -- in bed.
What this Textopian page supports
Mary Lemaine is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Bushranger Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Length: 573 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mary Lemaine 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 Mary Lemaine?
- How does this poem by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Bushranger Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Camerons Heart by Henry Lawson
- His Fathers Mate by Henry Lawson
- The Stove by Marjorie Pickthall
- Roll Up At Talbragar by Henry Lawson
- The Way Of The World by Henry Lawson
- The Blue Mountains by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Bushranger Fiction — The narrative centers around a bushranger, Jim Duff, and his escapades, a common theme in bushranger fiction.
- Romance — The story involves a romantic element between Jim Duff and Mary Lemaine, highlighting themes of love and loyalty.
- Adventure — The plot includes thrilling elements such as a daring escape and a ride through the ranges, typical of adventure stories.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and characters reflect historical aspects of Australian life, particularly the bushranger era.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Regional Fiction · Social Commentary · Poverty · Outback Life · Working Class · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Isolation · Loneliness