'The Cambaroora Star' by Henry Lawson
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So you're writing for a paper?Well, it's nothing very new
To be writing yards of drivel for a tidy little screw;
You are young and educated, and a clever chap you are,
But you'll never run a paper like the CAMBAROORA STAR.
Though in point of education I am nothing but a dunce,
I myself -- you mayn't believe it -- helped to run a paper once
With a chap on Cambaroora, by the name of Charlie Brown,
And I'll tell you all about it if you'll take the story down.
On a golden day in summer, when the sunrays were aslant,
Brown arrived in Cambaroora with a little printing plant
And his worldly goods and chattels -- rather damaged on the way --
And a weary-looking woman who was following the dray.
He had bought an empty humpy, and, instead of getting tight,
Why, the diggers heard him working like a lunatic all night:
And next day a sign of canvas, writ in characters of tar,
Claimed the humpy as the office of the CAMBAROORA STAR.
Well, I cannot read, that's honest, but I had a digger friend
Who would read the paper to me from the title to the end;
And the STAR contained a leader running thieves and spielers down,
With a slap against claim-jumping, and a poem made by Brown.
Once I showed it to a critic, and he said 'twas very fine,
Though he wasn't long in finding glaring faults in every line;
But it was a song of Freedom -- all the clever critic said
Couldn't stop that song from ringing, ringing, ringing in my head.
So I went where Brown was working in his little hut hard by:
`My old mate has been a-reading of your writings, Brown,' said I --
`I have studied on your leader, I agree with what you say,
You have struck the bed-rock certain, and there ain't no get-away;
Your paper's just the thumper for a young and growing land,
And your principles is honest, Brown; I want to shake your hand,
And if there's any lumping in connection with the STAR,
Well, I'll find the time to do it, and I'll help you -- there you are!'
Brown was every inch a digger (bronzed and bearded in the South),
But there seemed a kind of weakness round the corners of his mouth
When he took the hand I gave him; and he gripped it like a vice,
While he tried his best to thank me, and he stuttered once or twice.
But there wasn't need for talking -- we'd the same old loves and hates,
And we understood each other -- Charlie Brown and I were mates.
So we worked a little `paddock' on a place they called the `Bar',
And we sank a shaft together, and at night we worked the STAR.
Charlie thought and did his writing when his work was done at night,
And the missus used to `set' it near as quick as he could write.
Well, I didn't shirk my promise, and I helped the thing, I guess,
For at night I worked the lever of the crazy printing-press;
Brown himself would do the feeding, and the missus used to `fly' --
She is flying with the angels, if there's justice up on high,
For she died on Cambaroora when the STAR began to go,
And was buried like the diggers buried diggers long ago.
.....
Lord, that press!It was a jumper -- we could seldom get it right,
And were lucky if we averaged a hundred in the night.
Many nights we'd sit together in the windy hut and fold,
And I helped the thing a little when I struck a patch of gold;
And we battled for the diggers as the papers seldom do,
Though when the diggers errored, why, we touched the diggers too.
Yet the paper took the fancy of that roaring mining town,
And the diggers sent a nugget with their sympathy to Brown.
Oft I sat and smoked beside him in the listening hours of night,
When the shadows from the corners seemed to gather round the light --
When his weary, aching fingers, closing stiffly round the pen,
Wrote defiant truth in language that could touch the hearts of men --
Wrote until his eyelids shuddered -- wrote until the East was grey:
Wrote the stern and awful lessons that were taught him in his day;
And they knew that he was honest, and they read his smallest par,
For I think the diggers' Bible was the CAMBAROORA STAR.
Diggers then had little mercy for the loafer and the scamp --
If there wasn't law and order, there was justice in the camp;
And the manly independence that is found where diggers are
Had a sentinel to guard it in the CAMBAROORA STAR.
There was strife about the Chinamen, who came in days of old
Like a swarm of thieves and loafers when the diggers found the gold --
Like the sneaking fortune-hunters who are always found behind,
And who only shepherd diggers till they track them to the `find'.
Charlie wrote a slinging leader, calling on his digger mates,
And he said:`We think that Chinkies are as bad as syndicates.
What's the good of holding meetings where you only talk and swear?
Get a move upon the Chinkies when you've got an hour to spare.'
It was nine o'clock next morning when the Chows began to swarm,
But they weren't so long in going, for the diggers' blood was warm.
Then the diggers held a meeting, and they shouted:`Hip hoorar!
Give three ringing cheers, my hearties, for the CAMBAROORA STAR.'
But the Cambaroora petered, and the diggers' sun went down,
And another sort of people came and settled in the town;
The reefing was conducted by a syndicate or two,
And they changed the name to `Queensville', for their blood was very blue.
They wanted Brown to help them put the feathers in their nests,
But his leaders went like thunder for their vested interests,
And he fought for right and justice and he raved about the dawn
Of the reign of Man and Reason till his ads. were all withdrawn.
He was offered shares for nothing in the richest of the mines,
And he could have made a fortune had he run on other lines;
They abused him for his leaders, and they parodied his rhymes,
And they told him that his paper was a mile behind the times.
`Let the times alone,' said Charlie, `they're all right, you needn't fret;
For I started long before them, and they haven't caught me yet.
But,' says he to me, `they're coming, and they're not so very far --
Though I left the times behind me they are following the STAR.
`Let them do their worst,' said Charlie, `but I'll never drop the reins
While a single scrap of paper or an ounce of ink remains:
I've another truth to tell them, though they tread me in the dirt,
And I'll print another issue if I print it on my shirt.'
So we fought the battle bravely, and we did our very best
Just to make the final issue quite as lively as the rest.
And the swells in Cambaroora talked of feathers and of tar
When they read the final issue of the CAMBAROORA STAR.
Gold is stronger than the tongue is -- gold is stronger than the pen:
They'd have squirmed in Cambaroora had I found a nugget then;
But in vain we scraped together every penny we could get,
For they fixed us with their boycott, and the plant was seized for debt.
'Twas a storekeeper who did it, and he sealed the paper's doom,
Though we gave him ads. for nothing when the STAR began to boom:
'Twas a paltry bill for tucker, and the crawling, sneaking clown
Sold the debt for twice its value to the men who hated Brown.
I was digging up the river, and I swam the flooded bend
With a little cash and comfort for my literary friend.
Brown was sitting sad and lonely with his head bowed in despair,
While a single tallow candle threw a flicker on his hair,
And the gusty wind that whistled through the crannies of the door
Stirred the scattered files of paper that were lying on the floor.
Charlie took my hand in silence -- and by-and-by he said:
`Tom, old mate, we did our damnedest, but the brave old STAR is dead.'
.....
Then he stood up on a sudden, with a face as pale as death,
And he gripped my hand a moment, while he seemed to fight for breath:
`Tom, old friend,' he said, `I'm going, and I'm ready to -- to start,
For I know that there is something -- something crooked with my heart.
Tom, my first child died.I loved her even better than the pen --
Tom -- and while the STAR was dying, why, I felt like I did THEN.
.....
Listen!Like the distant thunder of the rollers on the bar --
Listen, Tom! I hear the -- diggers -- shouting:`Bully for the STAR!''
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Cambaroora Star by Henry Lawson: A Masterpiece of Australian Literature
Are you looking for a poem that encapsulates the essence of Australian bush life? Do you want to read a work that portrays the struggles of the common people with a stark realism that leaves a lasting impact? Look no further than Henry Lawson's "The Cambaroora Star," a masterpiece of Australian literature that has stood the test of time.
Historical Context
Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the historical context in which it was written. Henry Lawson was a prominent Australian writer who lived from 1867 to 1922. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the Australian bush, with many of his works dealing with the harsh realities of rural life.
"The Cambaroora Star" was first published in 1899, during a time of significant social and economic change in Australia. The country was transitioning from a primarily agricultural economy to a more industrial one, and this shift had a profound impact on the lives of ordinary Australians.
Lawson was acutely aware of these changes, and his writing reflects the struggles and challenges faced by those who were left behind by the changing economy. "The Cambaroora Star" is a powerful example of this, and it remains relevant to this day.
Literary Analysis
So, what makes "The Cambaroora Star" such a great work of literature? Let's take a closer look at the poem itself.
Structure
The poem is structured as a ballad, with four-line stanzas and a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCB). This structure gives the poem a sense of rhythm and pace, and it also makes it easy to remember.
The use of repetition is also notable. The phrase "The Cambaroora Star" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing its importance and significance. The repetition of the word "gone" in the final stanza is also powerful, conveying a sense of loss and sadness.
Themes
The poem deals with several themes that are central to Australian literature, including:
- The harsh realities of rural life
- The struggle for survival
- The importance of community
- The impact of industrialization on rural communities
Lawson's portrayal of life in the bush is unflinching and realistic. He does not romanticize the landscape or the people who inhabit it. Instead, he shows us the poverty, hardship, and struggle that are a daily reality for many Australians.
The theme of survival is also prominent. The characters in the poem are all struggling to make ends meet, and their lives are constantly threatened by drought, disease, and other disasters. Despite these challenges, they persevere, relying on their own strength and the support of their community to survive.
The importance of community is highlighted throughout the poem. The characters all rely on each other for support and assistance, and their collective efforts are what ultimately leads to the discovery of the Cambaroora Star. This sense of community is a central theme in Australian literature, reflecting the idea that Australians are at their best when they work together.
Finally, the impact of industrialization on rural communities is a key theme in the poem. The discovery of the Cambaroora Star is a temporary reprieve from the poverty and struggle that the characters face, but it is also a reminder of the larger forces at work that are changing the face of rural Australia.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Lawson's descriptions of the Australian landscape are vivid and powerful, conveying a sense of both beauty and harshness.
For example, the opening lines of the poem describe the "purple ranges" that surround the town of Cambaroora, while later in the poem, we are told that "the drought had burnt it up." These descriptions create a vivid picture of the landscape and the impact that the drought has had on it.
Similarly, the description of the Cambaroora Star itself is striking. It is described as being "as big as a pumpkin," with "sparks like a million diamond lights." This imagery creates a sense of wonder and awe, emphasizing the importance of the discovery to the characters and their community.
Symbolism
The Cambaroora Star is a powerful symbol in the poem. It represents both hope and desperation, as the characters see it as their only chance to escape the poverty and struggle that they face.
The star also symbolizes the larger forces at work that are changing the face of rural Australia. The discovery of gold in the late 19th century had a profound impact on the country, leading to a wave of industrialization that transformed many rural communities. The Cambaroora Star can be seen as a symbol of this larger trend, a reminder of the forces that are reshaping the country.
Conclusion
Overall, "The Cambaroora Star" is a masterpiece of Australian literature that continues to resonate with readers today. Its unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities of rural life, its themes of survival and community, and its vivid imagery and symbolism all contribute to its enduring appeal.
Henry Lawson was a master of his craft, and "The Cambaroora Star" is a shining example of his talent. It is a poem that every Australian should read, a reminder of the struggles and challenges that have helped to shape our national identity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Cambaroora Star: A Masterpiece of Australian Poetry
Henry Lawson, one of Australia's most celebrated poets, wrote The Cambaroora Star in 1899. This classic poem tells the story of a gold miner who discovers a massive gold nugget, only to have it stolen by a corrupt government official. The poem is a powerful commentary on the greed and corruption that plagued the Australian gold rush of the late 19th century.
The Cambaroora Star is a long narrative poem, consisting of 14 stanzas of varying lengths. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, with a strong rhythm and rhyme scheme. Lawson's use of colloquial language and vivid imagery creates a sense of authenticity and immediacy, transporting the reader back to the harsh and unforgiving world of the goldfields.
The poem begins with the narrator describing the harsh and lonely life of a gold miner. He paints a vivid picture of the rugged landscape, the backbreaking work, and the constant danger of disease and injury. The miner's only solace is the hope of striking it rich and finding the elusive Cambaroora Star.
The Cambaroora Star is a symbol of hope and prosperity, a beacon of light in the darkness of the goldfields. The miner's discovery of the Star is a moment of triumph, a vindication of all his hard work and sacrifice. The Star represents not just wealth, but also freedom and independence, a chance to escape the drudgery of the goldfields and start a new life.
However, the miner's joy is short-lived. The corrupt government official, known only as "the Commissioner," arrives on the scene and claims the Star for himself. The Commissioner represents the dark side of the gold rush, the greed and corruption that exploited the miners and enriched the elites.
The Commissioner's theft of the Cambaroora Star is a powerful metaphor for the exploitation of the working class by the ruling class. The poem exposes the hypocrisy and injustice of a system that allowed a few to profit at the expense of the many. The miner's despair and anger are palpable, as he realizes that his dream of a better life has been stolen from him.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful indictment of the corrupt system that the miner has been forced to endure. Lawson writes:
"Ah! well, they work and take our gold, And give us what they please, And make the laws to suit themselves, The 'sweating' devotees!"
This stanza encapsulates the central theme of the poem: the struggle of the working class against the forces of oppression and exploitation. The Cambaroora Star is not just a story of one miner's struggle, but a universal tale of the human quest for justice and freedom.
In conclusion, The Cambaroora Star is a masterpiece of Australian poetry, a powerful and evocative work that captures the spirit of the gold rush era. Henry Lawson's use of language and imagery creates a vivid and compelling portrait of the harsh and unforgiving world of the goldfields. The poem's themes of greed, corruption, and injustice are as relevant today as they were over a century ago. The Cambaroora Star is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and move us, to challenge us to strive for a better world.
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