Distinctively Visual - Henry Lawson
Henry Lawson’s Short Stories
Q1 Describe one significant image from one of Henry Lawson’s Short stories.
One significant image from ‘The Loaded Dog’ is the creation of the ‘formidable bomb’ that Andy constructs ‘to blow the fish up’. Lawson gives us a detailed description of the making of the cartridge.
He uses adjectives, adverbs and exaggeration, to emphasis the danger it represents –‘three times the size of those they use in the rock’ and ‘big enough to blow the bottom out of the river’.
His long-winded description of the construction process also builds suspense- ‘The inner skin was of stout calico. Andy stuck the end of a six foot fuse… bound the bag firmly… dipped the cartridge in melted bees wax… bound a strip of sail canvas… bound the thing with from end to end with stout fishing line’. This builds up suspense and by the end we are certain of the danger that this bomb represents.
The descriptive nature of this passage also builds on characterisation. Dave ‘got an idea’, ‘Andy usually put Dave’s theories into practice’ and Jim sat on the sidelines critiquing both of the above. The idea of mate ship between the key characters is also developed ‘a formidable bomb - but Andy and Dave wanted to be sure’.
The detailed description of the materials used and the process of making the bomb, adds credibility and gives the reader a sense of the skills of the miners and an insight into their craft.
By the time Lawson is finished we can ‘see’ this cartridge and understand its potential for harm. When Tommy takes the lit cartridge in his mouth we have a heightened understanding of the gravity of the situation and find ourselves on the edge of our seats.
Q2 Examine how the relationship between context and text shapes meaning in one of Henry Lawson’s short stories.
Text Summary: ‘The Drovers Wife’ is a short story by Henry Lawson about a woman who is left alone in the harsh Australian bush to look after the house and children while her husband is away sheep
Q1 Describe one significant image from one of Henry Lawson’s Short stories.
One significant image from ‘The Loaded Dog’ is the creation of the ‘formidable bomb’ that Andy constructs ‘to blow the fish up’. Lawson gives us a detailed description of the making of the cartridge.
He uses adjectives, adverbs and exaggeration, to emphasis the danger it represents –‘three times the size of those they use in the rock’ and ‘big enough to blow the bottom out of the river’.
His long-winded description of the construction process also builds suspense- ‘The inner skin was of stout calico. Andy stuck the end of a six foot fuse… bound the bag firmly… dipped the cartridge in melted bees wax… bound a strip of sail canvas… bound the thing with from end to end with stout fishing line’. This builds up suspense and by the end we are certain of the danger that this bomb represents.
The descriptive nature of this passage also builds on characterisation. Dave ‘got an idea’, ‘Andy usually put Dave’s theories into practice’ and Jim sat on the sidelines critiquing both of the above. The idea of mate ship between the key characters is also developed ‘a formidable bomb - but Andy and Dave wanted to be sure’.
The detailed description of the materials used and the process of making the bomb, adds credibility and gives the reader a sense of the skills of the miners and an insight into their craft.
By the time Lawson is finished we can ‘see’ this cartridge and understand its potential for harm. When Tommy takes the lit cartridge in his mouth we have a heightened understanding of the gravity of the situation and find ourselves on the edge of our seats.
Q2 Examine how the relationship between context and text shapes meaning in one of Henry Lawson’s short stories.
Text Summary: ‘The Drovers Wife’ is a short story by Henry Lawson about a woman who is left alone in the harsh Australian bush to look after the house and children while her husband is away sheep