Henry Lawson Essay Essay

M all of the short stories by Henry Lawson engage with isolation or mateship, however not many of them deal with a crew of the two. The characters in Lawsons stories have a strong champion of community, save they must(prenominal) still stand alone in order to survive. roughly atomic number 18 alone because they must be, well-nigh because they want to be, nigh are a expressed part of a group and still abide alone. Some are not as alone as they whitethorn think. All these ideas are shown in Lawsons stories in one stochastic variable or another, and roughly are easier to define than others.The type of isolation presented in The Drovers Wife is one that is easily defined. She is left at home by her husband because the drought of 18 ruined him. He had to sacrifice the remnant of his flock and go droving again earning money for a family he barely sees. This forces his wife to fend for herself, battling both the elements and her loneliness on her own. This isolation is one th at she does not welcome, still one that she accepts because she must. She shows a resilience that is admirable and a strong character. Because she must look after her quaternary ragged, dried-up-looking children she is not lacking of company, but lacking rather in support. She must rely upon her own courage and wits to keep both herself and her children alive. This halt her from being alone in a physical sense but not in an emotional one. She deals with this situation well, and while she does not ravish her isolation, she manages to retain her sanity.The furnish Undertaker contrasts this in that there is a definite tone of mental instability. The main character is alone out in the bush when he comes across what seems to be the corpse of an old mate, Brummy. He talks to Brummy even though it is obvious that he knows Brummy is dead. This shows that while the Bush Undertaker is aware of the absurdity of his situation, his isolation has feistye him more subject to any form of com panionship, even that of a corpse.He has no real goal that is mentioned in the story, so we assume that a lack of any company has unhinged his mind slightly. Even though he is talking to Brummy as if he were alive he still accepts the reality of Brummys demise, and buries him. He isnt doing this out of sheer practicality however for he makes the interpretation that Theer oughter be somethin sed Theer oughter be some sort o sarmin. And then counter to give the uncaring corpse a sermon at his burial. In this way while the bush undertaker is alone, the corpse of Brummy is not, as in death his mate is with him and supports him. While the bush undertaker is alone finished necessity there are examples within Lawsons stories of characters that actually use up to be alone.In Water Them Geraniums Mrs. Spicer is frequently left alone with her children. She has a husband, who is rarely at home, and several children, but is alone in the sense of she has no support. Joe comments that I s upposed, the reason why she hadnt gone mad through hardship and loneliness was that she hadnt either the brains or the depot to go farther than she could see through the trunks of the apple trees. This may be far more accurate than he may think. She adamantly refuses the dish of the Wilsons and tells her children not to say we was hungry if yer asked but if yer give us anythink to eat, we was to take it an say thenk yerThis passage shows even though Mrs. Spicer is alone by ways support, her pride stops her from admitting her neediness, but it is enough to stop her from pass judgment help which is offered. She says to Mary that she has got past carin for anythink now. I felt it a modest when Tommy went awayBut Im over that now. Its this mistaken pose of strong noble unconcern that makes her able to deal with the hardships, although some would argue as to whether she deals with them well. She forces herself to stand alone in supporting her children, and in time this isolation ca used by pride seems to be what kills her, for as Joe Wilson concludes It was some time before we could believe that she was dead. But she was past carin right enough. some other of Lawsons stories that deals with isolation is Brightens sister-in-law which is also told from the perspective of Joe Wilson. However, at a time when Joe Wilson expects to be on his own, he finds steadfast help and caring support. While he and his son, Jim, are out bush Jim has a seizure. Joe panics, but has enough presence of mind to go looking for help. He finds help in the form of Brightens sister-in-law, a charr whose name we never learn. She aids him, treats Jim and eventually manages to get Jim into a invariable condition. Throughout the story he hear mention of what seems to be a great emotional turmoil within this good Samaritan, as she is describe as both stoic and as crying while Jim is in the house. Even though it seems to cost her dearly, emotionally, she still treats Jim and this shows ho w even though some may expect no help, sometimes fate intervenes.The stories of Henry Lawson deal with all these themes of isolation, and the theme that is strongest is that of survival, for even though all his characters seem to be clearly alone or in company, most often they are alone in a sense that is an essential part of the supply of his stories. They are alone in that they can rely upon, truly ever rely upon, only one person.