The Song of the Darling River by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a group of people living along the Darling River in rural Australia during the late 19th century. It explores themes of poverty, hardship, and the struggles of everyday life for those living on the margins of society. The narrative focuses on the relationships between the characters, particularly the bond between a young boy and his mother, who are struggling to survive amidst the harsh conditions of their environment. Through the story, Lawson critiques the social and economic systems that perpetuate poverty and inequality, highlighting the need for change and reform.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1896 · Genre: Poetry, Australian Literature, Environmental Literature · 495 words
First lines
The only national work of the blacks was a dam or dyke of stones / across the Darling River at Brewarrina. The stones they carried / from Lord knows where -- and the Lord knows how. The people of Bourke / kept up navigation for months above the town by a dam of sand-bags. / The Darling rises in blazing droughts from the Queensland rains. / There are banks and beds of good clay and rock along the river.
The skies are brass and the plains are bare, / Death and ruin are everywhere -- / And all that is left of the last year's flood / Is a sickly stream on the grey-black mud; / The salt-springs bubble and quagmires quiver, / And -- this is the dirge of the Darling River:
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Australian Literature — The setting and cultural references are distinctly Australian, focusing on the Darling River and its significance.
- Environmental Literature — Themes of nature, drought, and the environment are central, highlighting the river's impact on the land and people.
- Historical Fiction — References to historical practices and the indigenous people's work on the river provide a historical context.
Tags
Australian Literature · Poetry Collection · Riverine Life · Outback Experience · Social Commentary · Regionalism · Realism · Folklore · Ballad Poetry · Nostalgia · Melancholy · Environmentalism
What this Textopian page supports
The Song of the Darling River is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Australian Literature, Environmental Literature, Historical Fiction, Social Commentary
- Length: 495 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Song of the Darling River by Henry Lawson
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