The Man from Waterloo. (With Kind Regards to "Ba
The story revolves around a man who returns from the Boer War and struggles to adjust to civilian life. He is haunted by his experiences and feels disconnected from society. The narrative explores themes of disillusionment, identity crisis, and the difficulties of readjusting to peacetime after being exposed to the harsh realities of war.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1892 · Genre: Poetry, Bush Poetry, Humor · 715 words
First lines
It was the Man from Waterloo, When work in town was slack, Who took the track as bushmen do, And humped his swag out back. He tramped for months without a bob, For most the sheds were full, Until at last he got a job At picking up the wool. He found the work was rather rough, But swore to see it through, For he was made of sterling stuff -- The Man from Waterloo.
The first remark was like a stab That fell his ear upon, 'Twas -- ‘There's another something scab ‘The boss has taken on! ' They couldn't let the towny be -- They sneered like anything; They'd mock him when he'd sound the ‘g' In words that end in ‘ing.'
What this Textopian page supports
The Man from Waterloo. (With Kind Regards to "Banjo.") is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1892 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: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Bush Poetry, Humor, Social Commentary, Adventure
- Length: 715 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Man from Waterloo. (With Kind Regards to "Banjo.") 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 Man from Waterloo. (With Kind Regards to "Banjo.")?
- 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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- Saint Peter by Henry Lawson
- Middletons Rouseabout by Henry Lawson
- The Captain Of The Push by Henry Lawson
- Rats by Henry Lawson
- Dan The Wreck by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Bush Poetry — The themes and setting revolve around the Australian bush and rural life, typical of bush poetry.
- Humor — The narrative includes humorous elements, such as the towny cleaning his teeth and the ensuing altercation.
- Social Commentary — The poem comments on social dynamics and class distinctions, particularly between town and bush people.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Working Class Life · Outback Setting · Rural Australia · Fiction · Realism · Regionalism · Anti-Hero