Mitchell on the "Sex" and other "Problems"
The novel explores themes of love, relationships, and societal expectations through the eyes of a young woman navigating her way through marriage and motherhood. It delves into the complexities of female identity, desire, and autonomy in a patriarchal society. The narrative is characterized by its lyrical prose, vivid descriptions of nature, and a strong sense of place.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1907 · Genre: Satire, Philosophical Fiction, Social Commentary · 2,223 words
First lines
"I agree with 'T' in last week's 'Bulletin'," said Mitchell, after cogitating some time over the last drop of tea in his pannikin, held at various angles, "about what they call the 'Sex Problem'. There's no problem, really, except Creation, and that's not our affair; we can't solve it, and we've no right to make a problem out of it for ourselves to puzzle over, and waste the little time that is given us about. It's we that make the problems, not Creation. We make 'em, and they only smother us; they'll smother the world in the end if we don't look out. Anything that can be argued, for and against, from half a dozen different points of view -- and most things that men argue over can be -- and anything that has been argued about for thousands of years (as most things have) is worse than profitless; it wastes the world's time and ours, and often wrecks old mateships.
What this Textopian page supports
Mitchell on the "Sex" and other "Problems" is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Philosophical Fiction, Social Commentary, Australian Literature, Humor
- Length: 2,223 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mitchell on the "Sex" and other "Problems" 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 Mitchell on the "Sex" and other "Problems"?
- How does this short story by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Satire — The text uses humor and irony to critique societal norms and intellectual debates, particularly around the 'sex problem' and other social issues.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores philosophical ideas about human nature, societal constructs, and the futility of overanalyzing certain issues.
- Social Commentary — The work provides a critique of social issues, including the sex problem, individualism, and societal debates, reflecting on their impact on society.
- Australian Literature — The text reflects themes and settings relevant to Australian culture and politics, such as Federation and Unionism.
Tags
Australian Literature · Classic Novel · Coming-of-Age Story · Family Drama · Literary Fiction · Social Commentary · Realism · Regionalism · Rural Life · Youthful Rebellion · Identity Crisis · Moral Ambiguity