'The Shame of Going Back' by Henry Lawson


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The Shame of Going Back And the reason of your failure isn't anybody's fault --
When you haven't got a billet, and the times are very slack,
There is nothing that can spur you like the shame of going back;
Crawling home with empty pockets,
Going back hard-up;
Oh! it's then you learn the meaning of humiliation's cup.

When the place and you are strangers and you struggle all alone,
And you have a mighty longing for the town where you are known;
When your clothes are very shabby and the future's very black,
There is nothing that can hurt you like the shame of going back.

When we've fought the battle bravely and are beaten to the wall,
'Tis the sneers of men, not conscience, that make cowards of us all;
And the while you are returning, oh! your brain is on the rack,
And your heart is in the shadow of the shame of going back.

When a beaten man's discovered with a bullet in his brain,
They POST-MORTEM him, and try him, and they say he was insane;
But it very often happens that he'd lately got the sack,
And his onward move was owing to the shame of going back.

Ah! my friend, you call it nonsense, and your upper lip is curled,
I can see that you have never worked your passage through the world;
But when fortune rounds upon you and the rain is on the track,
You will learn the bitter meaning of the shame of going back;
Going home with empty pockets,
Going home hard-up;
Oh, you'll taste the bitter poison in humiliation's cup.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Shame of Going Back: A Literary Masterpiece by Henry Lawson

Have you ever read a piece of literature that struck a chord with you, that captured your emotions, and made you ponder on the complexities of the human experience? If you haven't, then you need to read "The Shame of Going Back" by Henry Lawson, one of Australia's greatest writers. This poem is a timeless masterpiece that explores the dilemma of returning to one's hometown after experiencing failure and disappointment in the city.

The Poem's Context and Themes

Henry Lawson was a master at depicting the harsh realities of life in the Australian bush. His writing was a reflection of his own experience of growing up in poverty, and his poems and stories resonated with many Australians who were struggling to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment. "The Shame of Going Back" is no exception.

The poem was written in 1893 and was first published in the Bulletin, a weekly Australian magazine that was famous for publishing the works of many prominent writers, including Lawson himself. At the time, Australia was going through a period of rapid social and economic change. Many people were leaving the rural areas and moving to the cities in search of better opportunities. However, not everyone succeeded in the city, and many were forced to return home, often feeling ashamed and defeated.

"The Shame of Going Back" deals with this theme of failure and shame. The poem tells the story of an anonymous protagonist who has returned to his hometown after experiencing disappointment in the city. The protagonist is ashamed of his failure and feels like a pariah in his own community. The poem explores the complex emotions that the protagonist feels as he grapples with his sense of shame and his desire to be accepted by his community.

A Deeper Look at the Poem's Structure and Language

At first glance, "The Shame of Going Back" appears to be a simple poem, with a straightforward rhyming scheme and a clear narrative arc. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a deeper complexity and richness.

The poem is written in the form of a ballad, with four-line stanzas and an ABAB rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to read and remember. However, Lawson also employs a range of poetic devices, such as alliteration, repetition, and imagery, to create a vivid and evocative picture of the protagonist's emotional state.

For example, in the first stanza, Lawson uses alliteration to emphasize the protagonist's sense of shame and isolation:

I'm ashamed to go a-soldiering,
For the sake of a sixpence a day,
And me breast with medals covered,
And me back payed right away.

The repetition of the "sh" sound in "ashamed," "sake," and "shamed" creates a sense of heaviness and sadness, while the contrast between the protagonist's decorated chest and his empty pockets highlights the disparity between his past and present.

Throughout the poem, Lawson also uses vivid and evocative images to convey the protagonist's emotions. For example, in the second stanza, he writes:

And I'm back without a shilling,
And me health is nearly gone,
And it's by the workhouse window
I'll sit and die alone.

The image of the protagonist sitting by the workhouse window, alone and forgotten, is a powerful one that conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair.

A Timeless Poem with Universal Themes

What makes "The Shame of Going Back" such a timeless and universal poem is its exploration of universal themes such as failure, shame, and the complex emotions that come with returning home after experiencing disappointment. These themes are as relevant today as they were over a century ago when the poem was first written.

In today's world, many people still struggle with feelings of failure and shame, especially in a culture that places such a high value on success and achievement. The poem's message of acceptance and forgiveness is one that resonates with people from all walks of life.

In conclusion, "The Shame of Going Back" is a literary masterpiece that deserves to be read and appreciated by people everywhere. Henry Lawson's vivid and evocative language and his exploration of universal themes make this poem a timeless and enduring work of art. So if you haven't read it yet, now is the time to pick up a copy and discover for yourself the beauty and power of this remarkable piece of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Shame of Going Back: A Classic Poem by Henry Lawson

Henry Lawson, one of Australia's most celebrated poets, wrote "The Shame of Going Back" in 1893. This classic poem is a poignant reflection on the struggles of the working class and the shame that comes with returning home after failing to make it in the big city. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in the poem to understand its significance and relevance to contemporary society.

Themes

The central theme of "The Shame of Going Back" is the struggle of the working class to make a living in the city. The poem highlights the harsh realities of life in the city, where people are forced to work long hours for meager wages. The speaker of the poem is a young man who has left his home in the country to seek his fortune in the city. However, he soon realizes that life in the city is not as glamorous as he had imagined. He is unable to find a job and is forced to live in poverty, surviving on bread and water.

The poem also explores the theme of shame and the fear of failure. The speaker is ashamed to return home after failing to make it in the city. He fears that his family and friends will judge him harshly for his failure. He feels that he has let them down and that he is a failure in their eyes. This fear of failure is a common theme in literature, and it is something that many people can relate to.

Structure

"The Shame of Going Back" is a free-verse poem that consists of six stanzas. Each stanza has a different number of lines, ranging from four to eight. The poem does not have a regular rhyme scheme, but it does have a consistent rhythm. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs over into the next line, creates a sense of flow and continuity in the poem.

The poem is written in the first person, which creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader. The use of personal pronouns such as "I" and "my" also adds to the emotional impact of the poem. The poem is written in a conversational tone, which makes it easy to read and understand.

Language

The language used in "The Shame of Going Back" is simple and direct. The poem is written in plain English, which makes it accessible to a wide audience. The use of colloquial language, such as "cobber" and "mate," adds to the authenticity of the poem and creates a sense of familiarity with the reader.

The poem also makes use of imagery to create a vivid picture of the speaker's surroundings. The use of the metaphor "the city's cruel and heartless hand" creates a sense of the city as a living entity that is actively working against the speaker. The use of the simile "like a dog that's lost its master" creates a sense of abandonment and loneliness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Shame of Going Back" is a classic poem that explores the struggles of the working class and the fear of failure. The poem is written in a simple and direct language that makes it accessible to a wide audience. The use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid picture of the speaker's surroundings and adds to the emotional impact of the poem. The poem is a powerful reflection on the human condition and is still relevant today, over a century after it was written.

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