The Story of the Oracle
The story revolves around a young Aboriginal boy who becomes an oracle after being struck by lightning. He possesses supernatural abilities and is sought out for guidance by the local community. However, his newfound status also brings him danger and isolation. The narrative explores themes of identity, spirituality, and the complexities of cultural relationships.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1895 · Genre: Drama, Historical Fiction, Romance · 3,978 words
First lines
"We young fellows," said "Sympathy Joe" to Mitchell, after tea, in their first camp west the river -- "and you and I ARE young fellows, comparatively -- think we know the world. There are plenty of young chaps knocking round in this country who reckon they've been through it all before they're thirty. I've met cynics and men-o'-the-world, aged twenty-one or thereabouts, who've never been further than a trip to Sydney. They talk about 'this world' as if they'd knocked around in half-a-dozen other worlds before they came across here -- and they are just as off-hand about it as older Australians are when they talk about this colony as compared with the others. They say: 'My oath! -- same here. ' 'I've been there. ' 'My oath! -- you're right. ' 'Take it from me! ' and all that sort of thing. They understand women, and have a contempt for 'em; and chaps that don't talk as they talk, or do as they do, or see as they see, are either soft or ratty.
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of the Oracle is listed on Textopian as a novella by Henry Lawson, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Historical Fiction, Romance, Tragedy, Social Commentary
- Length: 3,978 words
- Structure: 1 section, 50 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Story of the Oracle 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 Story of the Oracle?
- 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
- Two Boys At Grinder Brothers by Henry Lawson
- The Story Of Malachi by Henry Lawson
- Two Larrikins by Henry Lawson
- Extradited From Bohemia by O. Henry
- The Chinago by Jack London
- Turkish Questions by O. Henry
Genres
- Drama — The narrative focuses on intense emotional conflicts and personal struggles, particularly involving relationships and moral dilemmas.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical context, reflecting the social and cultural environment of the Australian goldfields era.
- Romance — Central to the plot are themes of love, heartbreak, and romantic relationships, which drive the characters' actions and decisions.
- Tragedy — The story contains elements of tragedy, including personal downfall and loss, particularly in the lives of the main characters.
Tags
Australian Literature · Fiction · Short Stories · Classic · Realism · Social Commentary · Humor · Satire · Regionalism · Rural Life · Outback · Aboriginal Culture