Wanted by the Police by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a man who has been wanted by the police for some time and is now on the run. He reflects on his past life and the circumstances that led him to this point. The narrative explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the human condition.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1907 · Genre: Social Commentary, Historical Fiction, Drama · 6,672 words
First lines
Could it have been the Soul of Man and none higher that gave spoken and written word to the noblest precepts of human nature? For the deeper you sound it the more noble it seems, in spite of all the wrong, injustice, sin, sorrow, pain, religion, atheism, and cynics in the world. We make (or are supposed to make, or allow others to make) laws for the protection of society, or property, or religion, or what you will; and we pay thousands of men like ourselves to protect those laws and see them carried out; and we build and maintain expensive offices, police stations, court-houses and jails for the protecting and carrying out of those laws, and the punishing of men -- like ourselves -- who break them. Yet, in our heart of hearts we are antagonistic to most of the laws, and to the Law as a whole (which we regard as an ass), and to the police magistrates and the judges. And we hate lawyers and loathe spies, pimps, and informers of all descriptions and the hangman with all our soul.
What this Textopian page supports
Wanted by the Police is listed on Textopian as a novel by Henry Lawson, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Social Commentary, Historical Fiction, Drama, Adventure, Crime
- Length: 6,672 words
- Structure: 1 section, 132 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Wanted by the Police by Henry Lawson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Wanted by the Police?
- How does this novel by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Social Commentary first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms, laws, and the justice system, highlighting the contradictions and moral dilemmas faced by individuals.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative references historical events and societal attitudes, particularly those related to justice and sanctuary, providing a backdrop for the story.
- Drama — The story involves intense emotional and moral conflicts, focusing on the characters' struggles and decisions in a tense situation.
- Adventure — The plot involves elements of pursuit and escape, with characters facing physical and moral challenges in a rural setting.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Crime Fiction · Police Procedural · Social Commentary · Realism · Satire · Humor · Dark Comedy · Outback Setting · Rural Australia · Law and Order