The Drover's Sweetheart
A young woman from the city falls for a rugged drover and leaves her comfortable life to join him on his travels across the outback. She faces hardships and challenges but ultimately finds happiness with him. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the clash between urban and rural values.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1906 · Genre: Romance, Pastoral, Realism · 464 words
First lines
An hour before the sun goes down Behind the ragged boughs, I go across the little run And bring the dusty cows; And once I used to sit and rest Beneath the fading dome, For there was one that I loved best Who'd bring the cattle home.
Our yard is fixed with double bails, Round one the grass is green, The bush is growing through the rails, The spike is rusted in; And 'twas from there his freckled face Would turn and smile at me -- He'd milk a dozen in the race While I was milking three.
What this Textopian page supports
The Drover's Sweetheart is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Lawson, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Pastoral, Realism, Poetry
- Length: 464 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Drover's Sweetheart 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 Drover's Sweetheart?
- How does this short story by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Drovers Vision by Ida Lee
- The Blue Mountains by Henry Lawson
- Suffolk by Ida Lee
- Reedy River by Henry Lawson
- The Free Selectors Daughter by Henry Lawson
- When The Children Come Home by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and longing, with the protagonist expressing deep affection and anticipation for her sweetheart's return.
- Pastoral — The setting and imagery are deeply rooted in rural life, with descriptions of the countryside, cattle, and farming activities.
- Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of the challenges and hardships faced by people living in rural areas, including financial struggles and environmental obstacles.
- Poetry — The work is structured as a poem, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes and emotions.
Tags
Australian Literature · Romance · Historical Fiction · Outback Setting · Rural Life · Love Story · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Marriage · Family Ties · Cultural Heritage · Regional Identity