The Cattle-Dog's Death
A young cattle-dog dies after being left behind by its owner to guard a flock of sheep. The dog's death serves as a commentary on the harsh realities of rural life and the treatment of working animals.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1901 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Tragedy · 429 words
First lines
The plains lay bare on the homeward route, And the march was heavy on man and brute; For the Spirit of Drouth was on all the land, And the white heat danced on the glowing sand.
The best of our cattle-dogs lagged at last, His strength gave out ere the plains were passed, And our hearts grew sad when he crept and laid His languid limbs in the nearest shade.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cattle-Dog's Death is listed on Textopian as a poem 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: Poem
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Pastoral, Tragedy, Adventure, Historical
- Length: 429 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Cattle-Dog's Death 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 The Cattle-Dog's Death?
- 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
- Ben Duggan by Henry Lawson
- Past Carin by Henry Lawson
- The Sliprails And The Spur by Henry Lawson
- The Rovers by Henry Lawson
- Two Sundowners by Henry Lawson
- The Cambaroora Star by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Pastoral — The setting and themes revolve around rural life and the natural environment, typical of pastoral literature.
- Tragedy — The narrative centers on the death of a loyal companion, evoking themes of loss and sorrow.
- Adventure — The story involves a journey across challenging terrain, a common element in adventure narratives.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Outback Fiction · Rural Life · Cattle Industry · Working Class · Poverty · Social Realism · Regional Australia · Isolation · Loneliness · Mortality