The Lights of Cobb and Co
The story revolves around a group of people traveling on a Cobb & Co coach from Sydney to Melbourne. The passengers are a diverse mix of characters, including a young woman, her mother, and a man who becomes infatuated with the young woman. As they travel through the Australian outback, the passengers face various challenges, including harsh weather conditions, rough terrain, and encounters with Aboriginal people. Along the way, tensions rise among the passengers, particularly between the young woman's suitor and another passenger who is also interested in her. The story explores themes of love, class, and social status, as well as the clash between traditional European values and the harsh realities of life in the Australian wilderness.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1901 · Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Adventure · 998 words
First lines
Fire lighted, on the table a meal for sleepy men, A lantern in the stable, a jingle now and then; The mail coach looming darkly by light of moon and star, The growl of sleepy voices -- a candle in the bar; A stumble in the passage of folk with wits abroad; A swear-word from a bedroom -- the shout of ‘All aboard! ' ‘Tchk-tchk! Git-up! ' ‘Hold fast, there! ' and down the range we go; Five hundred miles of scattered camps will watch for Cobb and Co.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lights of Cobb and Co 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, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Australian Literature, Nostalgia
- Length: 998 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lights of Cobb and Co 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 Lights of Cobb and Co?
- 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
- The Roaring Days by Henry Lawson
- The Battling Days by Henry Lawson
- Years After The War In Australia by Henry Lawson
- The New Chum Jackaroo by Henry Lawson
- How The Land Was Won by Henry Lawson
- In The Days When The World Was Wide by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative reflects historical elements of the Australian outback and the era of mail coaches, providing a fictionalized account of past events.
- Adventure — The themes of travel, exploration, and the challenges faced by the mail coach drivers and passengers suggest an adventurous tone.
- Australian Literature — The setting, cultural references, and themes are deeply rooted in Australian history and identity.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Stories · Historical Fiction · Outback Life · Bushrangers · Gold Rush Era · Colonialism · Social Commentary · Realism · Regionalism · Coming of Age · Male Protagonist