The Rose by Henry Lawson (1890)
The work explores themes of love, nature, and mortality through the metaphor of a rose. It reflects on the deep emotional connection individuals have with the land and the beauty it holds, particularly in its hidden and unappreciated aspects. The rose symbolizes both the beauty and the transience of life, suggesting that appreciation often comes too late, as people recognize the value of love and beauty only in moments of loss or at the end of life. The repetition of the phrase "we love the Rose" emphasizes a collective sentiment, suggesting a universal understanding of love that transcends individual experiences. The imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, highlighting the contrast between the vibrancy of life and the inevitability of death. The work ultimately serves as a meditation on the enduring nature of love and the bittersweet recognition of beauty in the face of mortality.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Nature Writing · 150 words
First lines
WE LOVE the land when the world goes round, And deep, deep down in her thorny ground, Where nobody comes, and nobody knows, We love the Rose. Oh! we love the Rose.
And none to tell us, and none to teach By the western hedge or the shelving beach, But all of us know what everyone knows, We love the Rose. Oh! we love the Rose.
We love the rose when our day is dead, And they lay their roses upon our bed; Too late! Too late! in our last repose! But we love the Rose. Ah! we love the Rose.
What this Textopian page supports
The Rose is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Nature Writing, Romanticism, Australian Literature
- Length: 150 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Memories They Bring by Henry Lawson
- The Lily Of St Leonards by Henry Lawson
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- The Cottage by Robert Graves
- The Day Before I Die by Henry Lawson
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of love and nature.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on love and beauty, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature Writing — The imagery and themes revolve around the natural world, particularly the rose as a symbol.
- Romanticism — The poem embodies romantic ideals, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individual experience.
Tags
love · nature · beauty · loss · mortality · nostalgia · symbolism · poetry · Australian literature · Henry Lawson · emotions · life