The Cattle-Dog's Death by Henry Lawson
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: Fairly Easy (7th 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
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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