Rejected by Henry Lawson (1907)
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his rural home after being rejected by the woman he loves. He reflects on their relationship and realizes that she was never truly committed to him. The narrative explores themes of love, rejection, and the harsh realities of rural life in Australia during the late 19th century.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1907 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Realism · 673 words
First lines
She says she's very sorry, as she sees you to the gate; You calmly say ‘Good-bye' to her while standing off a yard, Then you lift your hat and leave her, walking mighty stiff and straight -- But you're hit, old man -- hit hard.
In your brain the words are burning of the answer that she gave, As you turn the nearest corner and you stagger just a bit; But you pull yourself together, for a man's strong heart is brave When it's hit, old man -- hard hit.
What this Textopian page supports
Rejected is listed on Textopian as a poem 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: Poem
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Realism, Psychological, Drama
- Length: 673 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Rejected 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 Rejected?
- How does this poem by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Vagabond by Henry Lawson
- Some Day by Henry Lawson
- But Whats The Use by Henry Lawson
- A Visit Of Condolence by Henry Lawson
- The Glass On The Bar by Henry Lawson
- The Shakedown On The Floor by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and rhyming pattern, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around unrequited love and emotional heartbreak.
- Realism — The narrative captures the realistic and relatable experience of rejection and emotional turmoil.
- Psychological — The work delves into the psychological impact of rejection and the internal struggle of the protagonist.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Social Commentary · Poverty · Outback Life · Working Class · Rural Australia · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Classic Australian Literature · 19th Century Literature