Written Afterwards by Henry Lawson
The story revolves around a man who returns to his hometown after years away and reflects on the changes that have taken place. He recalls his past relationships and experiences, particularly with a woman he loved but could not be with due to societal expectations. As he navigates the town's social hierarchy, he is met with a mix of nostalgia and disillusionment. The man's inner turmoil stems from his inability to reconcile his past and present selves, leading him to question the nature of identity and belonging. Throughout the narrative, themes of love, loss, and regret are explored, highlighting the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of societal pressures.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1905 · Genre: Poetry, Domestic Fiction, Realism · 641 words
First lines
So the days of my tramping are over, / And the days of my riding are done -- / I'm about as content as a rover / Will ever be under the sun; / I write, after reading your letter -- / My pipe with old memories rife -- / And I feel in a mood that had better / Not meet the true eyes of the wife.
You must never admit a suggestion / That old things are good to recall; / You must never consider the question: / ‘Was I happier then, after all? ' / You must banish the old hope and sorrow / That make the sad pleasures of life, / You must live for To-day and To-morrow / If you want to be just to the wife.
What this Textopian page supports
Written Afterwards is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Lawson, dated 1905 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: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Domestic Fiction, Realism, Epistolary, Reflective
- Length: 641 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Written Afterwards 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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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Domestic Fiction — The themes revolve around marriage, domestic life, and personal change, central to domestic fiction.
- Realism — The narrative reflects realistic depictions of everyday life and personal introspection.
- Epistolary — The poem is written in the form of a letter, a key feature of the epistolary genre.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Regional Fiction · Social Commentary · Working Class Life · Poverty · Isolation · Rural Australia · Outback · Colonial History · Indigenous Australians