The Mystery of Dave Regan
The story revolves around a man named Dave Regan who returns to his hometown after being away for many years. He is met with suspicion and hostility by the townspeople due to rumors of his involvement in a crime. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Dave's past actions have had far-reaching consequences, affecting not only himself but also those around him.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1905 · Genre: Humor, Adventure, Mystery · 1,681 words
First lines
"And then there was Dave Regan," said the traveller. "Dave used to die oftener than any other bushman I knew. He was always being reported dead and turnin' up again. He seemed to like it -- except once, when his brother drew his money and drank it all to drown his grief at what he called Dave's 'untimely end'. Well, Dave went up to Queensland once with cattle, and was away three years and reported dead, as usual. He was drowned in the Bogan this time while tryin' to swim his horse acrost a flood -- and his sweetheart hurried up and got spliced to a worse man before Dave got back.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mystery of Dave Regan is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Adventure, Mystery, Australian Literature, Short Story
- Length: 1,681 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mystery of Dave Regan 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 Mystery of Dave Regan?
- How does this short story by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Brummy Usen by Henry Lawson
- Saint Peter by Henry Lawson
- Baldy Thompson by Henry Lawson
- Our Pipes by Henry Lawson
- The Blindness Of One Eyed Bogan by Henry Lawson
- The Iron Bark Chip by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Humor — The narrative is filled with humorous anecdotes and witty dialogue, particularly in the depiction of Dave Regan's repeated 'deaths' and the absurdity of his situations.
- Adventure — The story involves bush life and the adventurous spirit of the protagonist, including his travels and encounters in the Australian outback.
- Mystery — The recurring theme of Dave Regan's mysterious appearances and supposed deaths adds an element of mystery to the plot.
- Australian Literature — The setting, characters, and language are distinctly Australian, reflecting the culture and environment of the bush.
Tags
Australian Literature · Mystery Fiction · Short Story Collection · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Working Class Life · Rural Australia · Outback Setting · Male Protagonist · Comedy of Errors · Misadventure