The Selector's Daughter
The story revolves around a young woman who lives on the outskirts of a rural town with her father, a selector. The selectors are struggling to make a living from their land due to drought and economic hardship. The daughter's life is marked by poverty, isolation, and a sense of desperation. She is forced to marry a man she does not love in order to secure a better future for herself and her family.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1906 · Genre: Drama, Tragedy, Realism · 5,109 words
First lines
I.
She rode slowly down the steep siding from the main road to a track in the bed of the Long Gully, the old grey horse picking his way zig-zag fashion. She was about seventeen, slight in figure, and had a pretty freckled face with a pathetically drooping mouth, and big sad brown eyes. She wore a faded print dress, with an old black riding skirt drawn over it, and her head was hidden in one of those ugly, old-fashioned white hoods, which, seen from the rear, always suggest an old woman. She carried several parcels of groceries strapped to the front of the dilapidated side-saddle.
What this Textopian page supports
The Selector's Daughter is listed on Textopian as a novella by Henry Lawson, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Tragedy, Realism, Family Saga, Social Commentary
- Length: 5,109 words
- Structure: 1 section, 118 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Selector's Daughter 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 Selector's Daughter?
- How does this novella by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Drama first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Men Who Come Behind by Henry Lawson
- The Bursting Of The Boom by Henry Lawson
- Two Boys At Grinder Brothers by Henry Lawson
- The Union Buries Its Dead by Henry Lawson
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Genres
- Drama — The narrative focuses on the emotional and psychological struggles of the characters, particularly the protagonist, dealing with family issues and societal pressures.
- Tragedy — The story is marked by a series of unfortunate events and a somber tone, culminating in a tragic ending.
- Realism — The depiction of rural life and the hardships faced by the characters is portrayed in a realistic manner, reflecting the social conditions of the time.
- Family Saga — The plot revolves around the dynamics and conflicts within a family, exploring themes of loyalty, disgrace, and survival.
Tags
Australian Literature · Fiction · Short Stories · Family Drama · Coming-of-Age · Social Commentary · Rural Life · Poverty · Class Struggle · Mother-Daughter Relationship · Female Protagonist · Child Labor