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y separately published work icon Short Stories in Prose and Verse selected work   poetry   prose   short story  
  • Author:agent Henry Lawson http://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/lawson-henry
Issue Details: First known date: 1894... 1894 Short Stories in Prose and Verse
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Notes

  • Preface states: 'This is an attempt to publish, in Australia, a collection of sketches and stories at a time when everything Australian, in the shape of a book, must bear the imprint of a London publishing firm before our critics will condescend to notice it, and before the "reading public" will think it worth its while to buy nearly so many copies as will pay for the mere cost of printing a presentable volume.'

Contents

* Contents derived from the Sydney, New South Wales,:Louisa Lawson , 1894 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Rats, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Three travelling shearers encounter a swagman, 'Rats', having a fight with his swag.
(p. 1-5)
A Narrow Escape, Henry Lawson , single work short story (p. 6-16)
Bush Cats, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Lawson writes admiringly about the toughness and hunting skills of cats living on farms and selections.
(p. 17-23)
Johnson, Alias Crowi"Where the seasons are divided and the bush begins to change, and the links are rather", Henry Lawson , single work poetry (p. 24-25)
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. 26-39)
The Fire at Ross's Farmi"The squatter saw his pastures wide", Henry Lawson , single work poetry (p. 40-45)
The Union Buries Its Dead, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour
Describes a bush funeral.
(p. 46-53)
Note: With subtitle: A Bushman's Funeral, A Sketch from Life and Death
A Typical Bush-Yarn, Henry Lawson , single work short story humour (p. [54])
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. [55]-71)
A Legend of Coo-ee Gullyi"The night came down thro' Deadman's Gap,", Henry Lawson , single work poetry (p. [72]-75)
Macquarie's Mate, Henry Lawson , single work short story
The drinkers at Stiffner's shanty have a poor opinion of Macquarie, but his mate, Awful Example, defends him.
(p. [76]-82)
Note: With title: 'Macquarie's Mate : A Darling River Sketch'
When the Childer Come Home When the Children Come Homei"On a lonely selection far out in the West", Henry Lawson , single work poetry (p. [83]-84)
The Mystery of Dave Regan, Henry Lawson , single work short story
Dave Regan is frequently being reported as dead, but usually turns up again. When the narrator, Jim, sees him in dry, dusty clothes after a drenching thunderstorm he becomes convinced he has seen Dave's ghost.
(p. [85]-90)
A Derry on a Covei"'Twas in the felon's dock he stood, his eyes were black and blue;", Henry Lawson , single work poetry (p. [91]-92)
Trouble on the Selectioni"You lazy boy, you're here at last,", Henry Lawson , single work poetry humour (p. [93]-94)
Preface to Short Stories in Prose and Verse, Henry Lawson , single work criticism

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Louisa Lawson , 1894 .
      Extent: 96p.
      Description: illus.
      Note/s:
      • Advertisements front and back.
      • Includes quotes from the press in praise of Lawson's brother's 'The Rosalind' Waltz (p.95).

Works about this Work

Adventures in Australiana II : On the Trail of Henry Lawson Charles H. Bertie , 1929 single work essay
— Appears in: The Home , 1 August vol. 10 no. 8 1929; (p. 44-45, 82, 91-92)
Books for the People : Henry Lawson's Book Prometheus , 1895 single work review
— Appears in: The Worker , 26 January 1895; (p. 3)

— Review of Short Stories in Prose and Verse Henry Lawson , 1894 selected work poetry prose short story
Henry Lawson : An Australian Poet 1895 single work column
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 5 January vol. 14 no. 777 1895; (p. 15)
This column flags the publication of Lawson's 'first volume of collected work'. It also provides some background on Lawson's family history.
Books for the People : Henry Lawson's Book Prometheus , 1895 single work review
— Appears in: The Worker , 26 January 1895; (p. 3)

— Review of Short Stories in Prose and Verse Henry Lawson , 1894 selected work poetry prose short story
Adventures in Australiana II : On the Trail of Henry Lawson Charles H. Bertie , 1929 single work essay
— Appears in: The Home , 1 August vol. 10 no. 8 1929; (p. 44-45, 82, 91-92)
Henry Lawson : An Australian Poet 1895 single work column
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 5 January vol. 14 no. 777 1895; (p. 15)
This column flags the publication of Lawson's 'first volume of collected work'. It also provides some background on Lawson's family history.
Last amended 24 Aug 2021 12:13:18
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