Rats by Henry Lawson (1901)
The story revolves around a group of Australian bushmen who are struggling to survive during the Great Depression. The rats they hunt become their primary source of food and income. The narrative explores themes of poverty, desperation, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1901 · Genre: Humor, Adventure, Slice of Life · 1,259 words
First lines
"Why, there's two of them, and they're having a fight! Come on."
It seemed a strange place for a fight -- that hot, lonely, cotton-bush plain. And yet not more than half a mile ahead there were apparently two men struggling together on the track.
What this Textopian page supports
Rats 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: Humor, Adventure, Slice of Life, Drama, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 1,259 words
- Structure: 1 section, 29 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Rats 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 Rats?
- How does this short story by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Man From Waterloo With Kind Regards To Banjo by Henry Lawson
- Baldy Thompson by Henry Lawson
- Board And Residence by Henry Lawson
- Meeting Old Mates by Henry Lawson
- Some Day by Henry Lawson
- An Oversight Of Steelmans by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Humor — The story revolves around a humorous misunderstanding and the antics of an eccentric character, creating a comedic atmosphere.
- Adventure — The narrative follows travelers on a journey through the bush, encountering unexpected events and characters.
- Slice of Life — The story captures everyday life and interactions in the Australian bush, focusing on ordinary characters and their experiences.
- Drama — The story includes elements of conflict and resolution, particularly in the interactions between the characters and the old man.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Working Class Life · Poverty · Struggle · Survival · Rural Australia · Outback · Colonialism