Trouble on the Selection
The story revolves around a group of Australian shearers who are struggling to make ends meet due to the economic downturn and the decline of the wool industry. They are forced to take on low-paying jobs in order to survive, leading to resentment and frustration among them. As they travel from station to station, they encounter various challenges, including harsh weather conditions, poor living conditions, and conflicts with their employers. The shearers' union is also involved in a dispute with the pastoralists over wages and working conditions. The story highlights the struggles of the working class during this period and the tensions between labor and capital. It also explores themes of solidarity, loyalty, and the importance of collective action in the face of adversity.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1903 · Genre: Australian Bush Poetry, Realism, Domestic Fiction · 324 words
First lines
You lazy boy, you're here at last, You must be wooden-legged Now, are you sure the gate is fast And all the sliprails pegged And all the milkers at the yard, The calves all in the pen? We don't want Poley's calf to suck His mother dry again.
And did you mend the broken rail And make it firm and neat? I s'pose you want that brindle steer All night among the wheat. And if he finds the lucerne patch, He'll stuff his belly full; He'll eat till he gets ‘blown' on that And busts like Ryan's bull.
What this Textopian page supports
Trouble on the Selection is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Australian Bush Poetry, Realism, Domestic Fiction, Humor
- Length: 324 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Trouble on the Selection 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 Trouble on the Selection?
- How does this poem by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Australian Bush Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- When The Army Prays For Watty by Henry Lawson
- The Bush Undertaker by Henry Lawson
- Bush Cats by Henry Lawson
- The Old Jimmy Woodser by Henry Lawson
- The Paroo by Henry Lawson
- A Prouder Man Than You by Henry Lawson
Genres
- Australian Bush Poetry — The work is characterized by its depiction of rural Australian life and the use of vernacular language typical of bush poetry.
- Realism — The narrative focuses on the everyday struggles and realities of life in the Australian bush, emphasizing authentic experiences.
- Domestic Fiction — The themes revolve around family dynamics and domestic responsibilities in a rural setting.
- Humor — The work contains elements of humor, particularly in the depiction of the boy's misadventures and the exasperated tone of the speaker.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Rural Life · Outback · Bushmen · Sheep Station · Farm Life · Working Class · Class Struggle