Roll up at Talbragar by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a group of Australian shearers who are on strike against the station owners. The shearer's union has called for higher wages and better working conditions, but the owners refuse to comply. The shearing season is about to begin, and the shearers must decide whether to return to work or continue their strike. The main character, a young man from the city, joins the shearers on strike and becomes embroiled in their struggles. He witnesses firsthand the harsh conditions faced by the shearers and the brutal treatment they receive at the hands of the owners. As the strike drags on, tensions rise between the shearers and the owners, leading to violent confrontations. The young man is forced to make a difficult choice: return to his comfortable life in the city or stand with the shearers in their fight for justice. The story explores themes of class struggle, labor rights, and the clash between tradition and progress. It offers a gritty portrayal of rural Australia during a time of great social change.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1892 · Genre: Australian Bush Fiction, Tragedy, Historical Fiction · 5,924 words
First lines
Jack Denver died at Talbragar when Christmas Eve began, And there was sorrow round the place, for Denver was a man; Jack Denver's wife bowed down her head -- her daughter's grief was wild, And big Ben Duggan by the bed stood sobbing like a child. But big Ben Duggan saddled up, and galloped fast and far, To raise the longest funeral ever seen on Talbragar. -_Ben Duggan_.
Both funerals belonged to Big Ben Duggan in a way, though Jack Denver was indirectly the cause of both.
What this Textopian page supports
Roll up at Talbragar is listed on Textopian as a novel by Henry Lawson, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Australian Bush Fiction, Tragedy, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Drama
- Length: 5,924 words
- Structure: 1 section, 87 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Roll up at Talbragar 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 Roll up at Talbragar?
- How does this novel by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Australian Bush Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Payable Gold by Henry Lawson
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Genres
- Australian Bush Fiction — The story is set in the Australian bush and focuses on the lives and experiences of bushmen, capturing the essence of rural Australia.
- Tragedy — The narrative revolves around the tragic death of Jack Denver and the subsequent events, highlighting themes of loss and grief.
- Historical Fiction — The story reflects the historical context of rural Australia, including social customs and community life during that period.
- Adventure — The characters' past experiences in the Great North-West and their adventurous lifestyles are significant elements of the narrative.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Outback Fiction · Rural Life · Poverty · Social Commentary · Realism · Regionalism · Working Class · Labor Movement · Gold Rush Era · Historical Fiction