Sweeney by Henry Lawson (1907)
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 faces poverty, isolation, and the decline of traditional values. The narrative explores themes of disillusionment, nostalgia, and the clash between old and new ways of living.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1907 · Genre: Poetry, Realism, Social Commentary · 936 words
First lines
It was somewhere in September, and the sun was going down, When I came, in search of 'copy', to a Darling-River town; 'Come-and-have-a-drink' we'll call it -- 'tis a fitting name, I think -- And 'twas raining, for a wonder, up at Come-and-have-a-drink.
'Neath the public-house verandah I was resting on a bunk When a stranger rose before me, and he said that he was drunk; He apologised for speaking; there was no offence, he swore; But he somehow seemed to fancy that he'd seen my face before.
What this Textopian page supports
Sweeney 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, Realism, Social Commentary, Character Study, Australian Literature
- Length: 936 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Sweeney 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 Sweeney?
- 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
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality.
- Realism — The narrative provides a realistic depiction of life and characters in rural Australia.
- Social Commentary — The themes explore societal issues such as alcoholism and the struggles of the working class.
- Character Study — Focuses on the detailed portrayal of the character Sweeney and his circumstances.
Tags
Australian literature · Short stories · Realism · Social commentary · Poverty · Working class · Outback · Rural life · Fiction · Literary fiction · Regionalism · Class struggle