'Taking His Chance' by Henry Lawson
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They stood by the door of the Inn on the Rise;
May Carney looked up in the bushranger's eyes:
`Oh! why did you come? -- it was mad of you, Jack;
You know that the troopers are out on your track.'
A laugh and a shake of his obstinate head --
`I wanted a dance, and I'll chance it,' he said.
Some twenty-odd bushmen had come to the `ball',
But Jack from his youth had been known to them all,
And bushmen are soft where a woman is fair,
So the love of May Carney protected him there;
And all the short evening -- it seems like romance --
She danced with a bushranger taking his chance.
`Twas midnight -- the dancers stood suddenly still,
For hoofs had been heard on the side of the hill!
Ben Duggan, the drover, along the hillside
Came riding as only a bushman can ride.
He sprang from his horse, to the shanty he sped --
`The troopers are down in the gully!' he said.
Quite close to the homestead the troopers were seen.
`Clear out and ride hard for the ranges, Jack Dean!
Be quick!' said May Carney -- her hand on her heart --
`We'll bluff them awhile, and 'twill give you a start.'
He lingered a moment -- to kiss her, of course --
Then ran to the trees where he'd hobbled his horse.
She ran to the gate, and the troopers were there --
The jingle of hobbles came faint on the air --
Then loudly she screamed:it was only to drown
The treacherous clatter of slip-rails let down.
But troopers are sharp, and she saw at a glance
That someone was taking a desperate chance.
They chased, and they shouted, `Surrender, Jack Dean!'
They called him three times in the name of the Queen.
Then came from the darkness the clicking of locks;
The crack of the rifles was heard in the rocks!
A shriek and a shout, and a rush of pale men --
And there lay the bushranger, chancing it then.
The sergeant dismounted and knelt on the sod --
`Your bushranging's over -- make peace, Jack, with God!'
The bushranger laughed -- not a word he replied,
But turned to the girl who knelt down by his side.
He gazed in her eyes as she lifted his head:
`Just kiss me -- my girl -- and -- I'll -- chance it,' he said.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Taking His Chance: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Henry Lawson is one of the most celebrated Australian writers and poets of the nineteenth century, and his works are known for their realism, social commentary, and use of vernacular language. "Taking His Chance" is one of his most famous poems, and it is a powerful depiction of the struggles and hardships faced by the working-class people of Australia. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in this poem and their significance in conveying the message of the poem.
Synopsis
"Taking His Chance" tells the story of a young man who leaves his home in the country to seek his fortune in the city. He is full of hope and optimism, but soon discovers that life in the city is not what he had imagined. The poem describes his struggles to find work, his encounters with poverty and homelessness, and his eventual disillusionment with the city. Despite these hardships, the young man never loses his determination, and in the end, he decides to return to the country, where he hopes to find a better life.
Theme of Disillusionment
One of the most prominent themes in "Taking His Chance" is disillusionment. The young man who leaves his home in the country is full of hope and optimism, but his experiences in the city soon shatter these illusions. He discovers that the city is not the land of opportunity he had imagined, but instead, it is a place of poverty, homelessness, and despair. The poem describes his gradual disillusionment with the city, as he struggles to find work and make a living. This theme of disillusionment is a common one in literature, as writers often explore the ways in which people's hopes and dreams are crushed by harsh realities.
Theme of Social Inequality
Another theme that is explored in "Taking His Chance" is social inequality. The young man's struggles to find work and make a living in the city are a reflection of the larger social and economic inequalities that existed in Australia at the time. The poem describes the poverty and homelessness that were common in the city's slums, and it highlights the fact that these problems were often the result of wider social and economic forces that were beyond the control of individuals. This theme of social inequality is an important one in literature, as writers often use their work to comment on the social and political issues of their time.
Theme of Hope and Determination
Despite the themes of disillusionment and social inequality that are explored in "Taking His Chance," the poem is ultimately a story of hope and determination. The young man who leaves his home in the country is determined to make a better life for himself, and even when he is faced with poverty and despair in the city, he never loses his determination to succeed. This theme of hope and determination is a powerful one in literature, as it speaks to the human spirit and our capacity to overcome adversity and achieve our goals.
Literary Devices
In addition to the themes explored in "Taking His Chance," the poem also makes use of several literary devices to convey its message. One of these devices is imagery. The poem is full of vivid descriptions of the city and its slums, which help to create a sense of the harsh realities faced by the young man. For example, when the young man first arrives in the city, he is struck by the "crowded streets" and the "dingy houses" that line them. These images help to create a picture of a city that is dirty, overcrowded, and lacking in hope.
Another literary device used in "Taking His Chance" is metaphor. The poem uses metaphor to compare the young man's journey to the city to a "game of chance" or a "gamble." This metaphor emphasizes the risks that the young man takes by leaving his home in the country and venturing into the unknown world of the city. It also suggests that success in the city is not guaranteed, but depends on luck and chance.
Finally, the poem makes use of repetition to emphasize its key themes. For example, the phrase "taking his chance" is repeated several times throughout the poem, reinforcing the idea that the young man is on a risky journey and that his success is not certain. The repetition of this phrase also helps to create a sense of momentum and urgency, as the young man moves ever closer to his ultimate decision to return to the country.
Conclusion
"Taking His Chance" is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of disillusionment, social inequality, hope, and determination. Through its vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, the poem creates a vivid picture of the harsh realities faced by working-class people in Australia at the turn of the twentieth century. At the same time, it offers a message of hope and determination, highlighting the human spirit and our capacity to overcome adversity and achieve our goals. Overall, "Taking His Chance" is a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Taking His Chance: A Masterpiece by Henry Lawson
Henry Lawson, one of the most celebrated Australian poets, wrote a masterpiece called "Poetry Taking His Chance." This poem is a reflection of the struggles and challenges faced by poets in their quest for recognition and acceptance. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem opens with the line, "Poetry came to the town, and all the bells rang." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and establishes the importance of poetry in the town. The use of the word "all" emphasizes the significance of poetry and how it has captured the attention of everyone in the town.
The next few lines describe how the people in the town react to the arrival of poetry. They are curious and excited, and they want to see what poetry has to offer. The line, "The people came crowding, and all the bells rang," highlights the eagerness of the people to witness poetry's arrival. The repetition of the phrase "all the bells rang" emphasizes the excitement and anticipation of the people.
As poetry enters the town, he is met with skepticism and doubt. The line, "But the people said, 'What's he come for?'" shows how the people are unsure of poetry's intentions. They are not sure if poetry has come to entertain them or to cause trouble. This line also highlights the common perception of poetry as being obscure and difficult to understand.
However, poetry is not deterred by the people's skepticism. He continues to make his way through the town, and as he does, he begins to win over the people. The line, "But the people said, 'He's a stranger, and he's come from afar; let's give him a chance, and hear what he has to say,'" shows how the people are starting to warm up to poetry. They are willing to give him a chance and listen to what he has to say.
The next few lines describe how poetry begins to captivate the people with his words. The line, "And he spoke to them softly, and all the bells rang," shows how poetry's words are having a profound effect on the people. The repetition of the phrase "all the bells rang" emphasizes the power of poetry's words and how they are resonating with the people.
As poetry continues to speak, he begins to win over the hearts of the people. The line, "And the people said, 'He's a poet, and he's come from afar; let's give him a chance, and hear what he has to say,'" shows how the people are now fully embracing poetry. They have recognized him as a poet and are eager to hear more of his words.
The poem then takes a darker turn as poetry begins to face opposition from those in power. The line, "But the rulers said, 'What's he come for?'" shows how those in power are not happy with poetry's arrival. They see him as a threat to their authority and are determined to silence him.
Despite the opposition, poetry continues to speak out and share his words with the people. The line, "And he spoke to them boldly, and all the bells rang," shows how poetry is not afraid to speak out against those in power. The repetition of the phrase "all the bells rang" emphasizes the power of poetry's words and how they are resonating with the people.
As the poem comes to a close, poetry is faced with a difficult decision. He must choose between staying in the town and continuing to share his words or leaving and moving on to the next town. The line, "And the people said, 'Stay with us, poet, and all the bells rang,'" shows how the people are begging poetry to stay. They have recognized the power of his words and want him to continue to share them.
In the end, poetry decides to leave the town and move on to the next. The line, "But the poet said, 'I must go, for my work is not done; but I'll come back again, when my chance comes, and all the bells shall ring,'" shows how poetry is determined to continue his quest for recognition and acceptance. He knows that his work is not done, but he is confident that he will have another chance to share his words.
In conclusion, "Poetry Taking His Chance" is a masterpiece by Henry Lawson that explores the struggles and challenges faced by poets in their quest for recognition and acceptance. The poem's themes of perseverance, determination, and the power of words are still relevant today and continue to inspire poets around the world. The poem's structure and use of literary devices such as repetition and imagery make it a timeless classic that will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.
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