The Great Grey Plain by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his rural home after years away, seeking refuge from the harsh realities of city life. He finds solace in the vast expanse of the Great Grey Plain, where he reconnects with his roots and confronts the struggles of his past. Through his experiences, the narrative explores themes of identity, community, and the human condition, highlighting the tensions between tradition and modernity, as well as the resilience of the Australian spirit.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Australian Literature, Realism · 459 words
First lines
Out West, where the stars are brightest, Where the scorching north wind blows, And the bones of the dead gleam whitest, And the sun on a desert glows -- Yet within the selfish kingdom Where man starves man for gain, Where white men tramp for existence -- Wide lies the Great Grey Plain.
No break in its awful horizon, No blur in the dazzling haze, Save where by the bordering timber The fierce, white heat-waves blaze, And out where the tank-heap rises Or looms when the sunlights wane, Till it seems like a distant mountain Low down on the Great Grey Plain.
What this Textopian page supports
The Great Grey Plain is listed on Textopian as a poem 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: Poem
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Australian Literature, Realism, Social Commentary, Nature Writing
- Length: 459 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Great Grey Plain 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 Great Grey Plain?
- 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, characteristic of poetry.
- Australian Literature — The setting and themes are deeply rooted in the Australian landscape and experience, reflecting the cultural and environmental aspects of the region.
- Realism — The depiction of harsh realities and struggles faced by individuals in a desolate environment aligns with the principles of realism.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal issues such as economic disparity and human suffering, providing a commentary on social conditions.
Tags
Australian Literature · Classic Novel · Coming-of-Age Story · Fiction · Historical Fiction · Literary Fiction · Novel · Outback Setting · Realism · Regionalism · Social Commentary · Story of Survival