The Men who Come Behind
The story revolves around a group of men who work on the land, struggling to make a living and maintain their dignity amidst poverty and hardship. The narrative explores themes of masculinity, class struggle, and the human condition through the experiences of these working-class individuals.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1905 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Social Commentary · 516 words
First lines
There's a class of men (and women) who are always on their guard -- Cunning, treacherous, suspicious -- feeling softly -- grasping hard -- Brainy, yet without the courage to forsake the beaten track -- Cautiously they feel their way behind a bolder spirit's back.
If you save a bit of money, and you start a little store -- Say, an oyster-shop, for instance, where there wasn't one before -- When the shop begins to pay you, and the rent is off your mind, You will see another started by a chap that comes behind.
What this Textopian page supports
The Men who Come Behind is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1905 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: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Social Commentary, Realism
- Length: 516 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Men who Come Behind 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 Men who Come Behind?
- 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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- Second Class Wait Here by Henry Lawson
- A Day On A Selection by Henry Lawson
- Forard by Henry Lawson
- Steelmans Pupil by Henry Lawson
- New Years Night by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Satire — The text uses irony and wit to critique societal behaviors, particularly imitation and lack of originality.
- Social Commentary — The themes address societal issues such as competition, imitation, and the struggle for originality.
- Realism — The work reflects realistic scenarios and human behaviors, focusing on everyday life and societal dynamics.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Stories · Realism · Social Commentary · Working Class Life · Rural Australia · Poverty · Exploitation · Class Struggle · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Male Identity