Sez You by Henry Lawson (1909)
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his rural home after years away and struggles with the harsh realities of country life. He clashes with his father, a hardworking but unyielding man, over their differing values and ways of life. The narrative explores themes of identity, community, and the tension between tradition and progress in a rapidly changing society.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1909 · Genre: Poetry, Inspirational, Realism · 573 words
First lines
When the heavy sand is yielding backward from your blistered feet, And across the distant timber you can SEE the flowing heat; When your head is hot and aching, and the shadeless plain is wide, And it's fifteen miles to water in the scrub the other side -- Don't give up, don't be down-hearted, to a man's strong heart be true! Take the air in through your nostrils, set your lips and see it through -- For it can't go on for ever, and -- 'I'll have my day! ' says you.
What this Textopian page supports
Sez You is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Inspirational, Realism, Australian Literature, Social Commentary
- Length: 573 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Sez You 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 Sez You?
- How does this poem by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Inspirational — The themes focus on perseverance, resilience, and maintaining hope in difficult circumstances, which are common in inspirational literature.
- Realism — The depiction of harsh realities and everyday struggles reflects a realistic portrayal of life, typical of the realism genre.
- Australian Literature — The setting and cultural references are distinctly Australian, aligning with the genre of Australian literature.
Tags
Australian literature · Short stories · Humor · Satire · Social commentary · Realism · Regional fiction · Outback setting · Working class life · Rural Australia · Colonial era · Anti-establishment