y separately published work icon The Bush Undertaker and Other Stories selected work   short story   humour  
Issue Details: First known date: 1970... 1970 The Bush Undertaker and Other Stories
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Includes a detailed bibliographic commentary on each story with particular attention to revisions.

Contents

* Contents derived from the Sydney, New South Wales,:Angus and Robertson , 1970 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
The Bush Undertaker and Other Stories : Preface, Colin Roderick , single work criticism (p. 6-8)
The Bush Undertaker, Henry Lawson , single work short story
An old shepherd discovers his mate, Brummy, dead and mummified in the bush. Saddened, he feels compelled to bury him.
(p. 11-17)
The Drover's Wife, Henry Lawson , single work short story

First appearing in The Bulletin in 1892, Henry Lawson's short story 'The Drovers Wife' is today regarded as a seminal work in the Australian literary tradition. Noted for it's depiction of the bush as harsh, potentially threatening and both isolated and isolating, the story opens with a simple enough premise: an aggressive--and presumably deadly--snake disrupts the working life of a bushwoman and her young children. Brave but cautious, the woman resolves to protect her children since her husband is, characteristically, away from home and of no help. 

As time passes within the story, tension builds, and the snake's symbolic threat takes on layers of meaning as the sleepless heroine recalls previous challenges she faced while her husband was away. A series of flashbacks and recollections propel the story through the single night over which it takes place, and by the time the climax arrives--the confrontation with the snake--readers have learned much about the heroine's strengths and fears, most of the latter involving the loss of children and dark figures who encroach upon her small, vulnerable homestead. To be sure, this "darkness" is highly symbolic, and Lawson's use of imagery invokes Western notions of good and evil as well as gendered and racial stereotypes. 

(p. 18-25)
The Union Buries Its Dead, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Describes a bush funeral.
(p. 25-29)
Rats, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Three travelling shearers encounter a swagman, 'Rats', having a fight with his swag.
(p. 29-31)
Stiffner and Jim (Thirdly, Bill), Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Bill and Jim, the narrator, arrive at a pub desperate for a drink, but without any money.
(p. 32-38)
Steelman, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Describes how Steelman would inflict himself on a family and resist all efforts to dislodge him.
(p. 38-40)
Steelman's Pupil, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Steelman strives to teach Smith the tricks of the trade, but eventually succeeds too well.
(p. 40-44)
The Geological Spieler, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Steelman poses as a geologist, with Smith as his offsider. They are offered accommodation in a railway camp and stay for several days, but decide to move on when they discover they are not the only tricksters in the camp.
(p. 44-51)
How Steelman Told His Story, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour

Steelman praises Smith, telling him he is nearly as good to talk to as an intelligent sheepdog, then reveals much of his life story in the form of counsel about life.

(p. 51-54)
Going Blind, Henry Lawson , single work short story
Tells the story of a bushman who is losing his sight and his attempts to remain optimistic.
(p. 55-59)
Our Pipes, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Mitchell relates how he began to smoke a pipe and his mother's efforts to stop him.
(p. 59-62)
Bill, the Ventriloquial Rooster, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Mitchell relates the sorry tale of Bill, a rooster mystified by the echo of his crowing.
(p. 62-66)
The Blindness of One-Eyed Bogan, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour (p. 66-74)
The Hero of Redclay, Henry Lawson , single work short story

Joe is unhappy when Jack Mitchell brings an unlikeable shearer known as 'the Lachlan' to their camp. The Lachlan stays with them for the day, then moves on. That night Mitchell tells Joe the tragic tale of Jack Drew, a journalist and sometime gold prospector, and Ruth Wilson, a girl with whom Mitchell was also in love.

(p. 74-88)
The Boozers' Home, Henry Lawson , single work short story (p. 89-93)
The Iron-Bark Chip, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Dave Regan and his gang of workers try to pass off a girder as ironbark, as specified in their contract, but the government inspector seems suspicious.
(p. 94-98)
The Loaded Dog, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Dave and Andy create a bomb to blast fish out of the waterhole. However their dog picks the bomb up and begins a deadly, yet hilarious, game of 'fetch'.
(p. 98-104)
Gettin' Back on Dave Regan : A Rather Fishy Yarn from the Bush, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour (p. 105-112)
No Place for a Woman, Henry Lawson , single work short story

'Ratty Howlett' has lived alone on his selection for fifteen years. His only company is the occasional traveller he waylays on the road past his property and persuades to stop for a yarn. When the narrator is invited back to Ratty's hut for a meal he is surprised to find it clean and tidy. Ratty tells him his wife has gone out for the day and it is not until five years later that the narrator learns the truth.

(p. 113-121)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,
      :
      Sydney, New South Wales,: Arkon Paperbacks ,
      1982 .
      image of person or book cover 7082725783372710902.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 272p.
      Reprinted: 1983 , 1986 , 1987 Twice
      ISBN: 0207145725
      Series: Arkon Paperbacks Angus and Robertson (publisher), 1972 series - publisher Arkon is a paperback reprint imprint of the Australian publisher Angus and Robertson. The series was launched in 1972 to be merchandised in connection with T. V. series and involved the cartoonist Patrick Cook.
    • North Ryde, Ryde - Gladesville - Hunters Hill area, Northwest Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,: Eden Paperbacks , 1988 .
      image of person or book cover 399341916336272242.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 272p.
      Reprinted: 1988 , 1990
      ISBN: 0207161844 (pbk.)
      Series: Eden Paperbacks Angus and Robertson (publisher), 1987 series - publisher This paperback imprint of Angus and Robertson was launched in September 1987. The first titles included Upfield's Winds of Evil and Derryn Hinch's Death at Newport.

Other Formats

  • Also braille, sound recording.

Works about this Work

Untitled 1971 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 22 May 1971; (p. 22)

— Review of The Bush Undertaker and Other Stories Henry Lawson , 1970 selected work short story
Untitled 1971 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , April vol. 10 no. 6 1971; (p. 116)

— Review of The Bush Undertaker and Other Stories Henry Lawson , 1970 selected work short story
Untitled Brian Kiernan , 1971 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 20 February 1971; (p. 24)

— Review of The Bush Undertaker and Other Stories Henry Lawson , 1970 selected work short story
Untitled Brian Kiernan , 1971 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 20 February 1971; (p. 24)

— Review of The Bush Undertaker and Other Stories Henry Lawson , 1970 selected work short story
Untitled 1971 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , April vol. 10 no. 6 1971; (p. 116)

— Review of The Bush Undertaker and Other Stories Henry Lawson , 1970 selected work short story
Untitled 1971 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 22 May 1971; (p. 22)

— Review of The Bush Undertaker and Other Stories Henry Lawson , 1970 selected work short story
Last amended 24 Aug 2021 10:26:27
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