The Stranger's Friend by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a young man who befriends an older stranger and learns about his life experiences. The stranger's tales of adventure and hardship have a profound impact on the young man, forcing him to re-evaluate his own values and priorities. Through their conversations, the stranger shares stories of love, loss, and redemption, which ultimately lead to a transformation in the young man's perspective on life.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1896 · Genre: Poetry, Australian Literature, Realism · 915 words
First lines
The strangest things, and the maddest things, that a man can do or say, / To the chaps and fellers and coves Out Back are matters of every day; / Maybe on account of the lives they lead, or the life that their hearts / discard -- / But never a fool can be too mad or a ‘hard case' be too hard.
I met him in Bourke in the Union days -- with which we have nought to do / (Their creed was narrow, their methods crude, but they stuck to ‘the cause' / like glue). / He came into town from the Lost Soul Run for his grim half-yearly ‘bend,' / And because of a curious hobby he had, he was known as ‘The Stranger's / Friend.'
What this Textopian page supports
The Stranger's Friend is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Australian Literature, Realism, Social Commentary, Humor
- Length: 915 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Stranger's Friend by Henry Lawson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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- A Day On A Selection by Henry Lawson
- The Story Of Malachi by Henry Lawson
- Bill And Jim Fall Out by Henry Lawson
- Out Back by Henry Lawson
- Forard by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Australian Literature — The setting and cultural references are distinctly Australian, reflecting the life and environment of the Outback.
- Realism — The narrative focuses on realistic depictions of life, character behavior, and social issues in the Australian bush.
- Social Commentary — The themes address social issues such as alcoholism, camaraderie, and the struggles of bush life.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Social Commentary · Outback Setting · Rural Life · Friendship · Loneliness · Isolation · Moral Ambiguity · Human Nature · Psychological Insight