The Fire at Ross's Farm
A family's farm catches fire and they are forced to flee for their lives. The father tries to save the property but ultimately fails. The story explores themes of loss, hardship, and resilience in the face of adversity.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1894 · Genre: Bush Poetry, Drama, Romance · 824 words
First lines
The squatter saw his pastures wide Decrease, as one by one The farmers moving to the west Selected on his run; Selectors took the water up And all the black soil round; The best grass-land the squatter had Was spoilt by Ross's Ground.
Now many schemes to shift old Ross Had racked the squatter's brains, But Sandy had the stubborn blood Of Scotland in his veins; He held the land and fenced it in, He cleared and ploughed the soil, And year by year a richer crop Repaid him for his toil.
What this Textopian page supports
The Fire at Ross's Farm is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1894 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: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Bush Poetry, Drama, Romance, Adventure, Historical Fiction
- Length: 824 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fire at Ross's Farm 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 Fire at Ross's Farm?
- How does this poem by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Bush Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Corny Bill by Henry Lawson
- Lord Douglas by Henry Lawson
- Sweeney by Henry Lawson
- Enter Mitchell by Henry Lawson
- Joe Wilson And His Mates by Henry Lawson
- Send Round The Hat by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Bush Poetry — The work is a classic example of bush poetry, characterized by its depiction of rural Australian life, landscape, and the struggles of settlers.
- Drama — The narrative involves intense personal and social conflicts, including a feud between families and a romantic subplot reminiscent of 'Romeo and Juliet.'
- Romance — The story includes a romantic element between Robert Black and Jenny Ross, which plays a significant role in the plot.
- Adventure — The story features elements of adventure, particularly in the dramatic and dangerous fight against the bushfire.
Tags
Australian literature · Short story collection · Fiction · Realism · Regionalism · Rural setting · Social commentary · Class struggle · Poverty · Exploitation · Labor rights · Farm life