The Wily "Goanner" by Louis Becke
The story revolves around a young sailor who becomes embroiled in a plot to steal a valuable pearl from a wealthy merchant's daughter. The protagonist's cunning and resourcefulness are put to the test as he navigates a complex web of deceit and betrayal. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, honor, and the blurred lines between right and wrong in a world where morality is often relative. Through the character's experiences, the story highlights the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of staying true to one's principles. Throughout the tale, the author masterfully weaves together elements of adventure, romance, and social commentary, creating a rich and engaging narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
By Louis Becke · First published 1887 · Genre: Adventure, Nature Writing, Coming-of-Age · 2,073 words
First lines
In the early part of the year 1899 a settler named Hardy, residing at Glenowlan, in the Rylstone district of New South Wales, about 150 miles from Sydney, lost numbers of his lambs during the lambing season. Naturally enough, dingoes were suspected, but none were seen. Then other sheep -- men began to lose lambs, and a close watch was set, with the result that iguanas, which are very numerous in this part of the country, were discovered to be the murderers of the little "baa-baa's. " The cause of this new departure in the predatory habits of the "goanner" -- which hitherto had confined his evil deeds to nocturnal visits to the fowl-yards -- is stated to be the extermination of the opossum, which has driven the cunning reptile to seek for another source of food. And, as before the shooting of kangaroos, wallabies, and opossums was resorted to as a means of livelihood by hundreds of bushmen who had no other employment open to them, the young of these marsupials furnished the iguana with an ample supply of food, the theory is very probably correct. Poison will be the only method of destroying or reducing the numbers of the iguana, who, robber as he is, yet has his good points, as has even the sneaking, blood-loving native cat -- for both are merciless foes to snakes of all kinds; and 'tis better to have an energetic and hungry native cat and a score of wily iguanas working havoc among the tenants of your fowl-house than one brown or an equally deadly "bandy-bandy" snake within half a mile.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wily "Goanner" is listed on Textopian as a short story by Louis Becke, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Louis Becke
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Nature Writing, Coming-of-Age, Humor, Fiction
- Length: 2,073 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wily "Goanner" by Louis Becke
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Wily "Goanner"?
- How does this short story by Louis Becke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Adventure — The narrative follows the experiences of settlers and their interactions with wildlife, showcasing exploration and outdoor activities.
- Nature Writing — The text vividly describes the natural environment and animal behavior, particularly focusing on iguanas and their predatory habits.
- Coming-of-Age — The story features young characters who undergo personal growth and face moral dilemmas, typical of coming-of-age narratives.
- Humor — The interactions and misadventures of the characters, particularly in their attempts to deal with the iguanas, contain elements of humor.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Novel · English Literature · 19th Century Literature · Colonialism · Imperialism · Exoticism