Poem Analysis - Faces In The Street

Overview: A Lament for the Urban Underclass

Henry Lawson's "faces in the street" is a powerful and poignant social commentary on poverty and hardship in late 19th-century Australia. The poem is imbued with a sense of deep sorrow and frustration, as the speaker observes the suffering etched onto the faces of those struggling in the city. The tone is initially mournful, shifting to outrage and finally to a resigned acceptance tinged with a glimmer of hope for revolutionary change. The poem serves as both a lament for the present suffering and a warning of potential social upheaval.

Historical Echoes and Social Critique

While not explicitly stated in the provided context, it is crucial to acknowledge that Henry Lawson lived during a period of significant social and economic inequality in Australia. The late 19th century saw rapid urbanization and industrialization, which led to widespread poverty and unemployment. This historical backdrop profoundly influenced Lawson's writing, making him a voice for the working class and the marginalized. The poem's vivid descriptions of "want" and "care" directly reflect the harsh realities faced by many Australians during this era.

The Pervasive Presence of Poverty and Suffering

One of the central themes of the poem is the omnipresent nature of poverty and its dehumanizing effects. The poem highlights that the poor are not nameless statistics, but individuals who have been subjected to cruelty because of capitalism. This is captured through the powerful image of the "faces in the street," a recurring motif that underscores the sheer number of people struggling to survive. The use of words such as "sallow", "sunken", and "wan" reinforces the physical toll that poverty takes on the individuals described in the poem. By repeatedly focusing on the "faces," Lawson emphasizes the individual stories behind the collective suffering.

The Cycle of Urban Grinding

The poem depicts the city as a relentless, unforgiving machine that "grinds" the bodies and souls of its inhabitants. This theme is conveyed through vivid imagery of constant motion and repetitive action. The faces are described as "drifting," "flowing," and "ebbing," suggesting a ceaseless cycle of labor and exhaustion. The "beat of weary feet" and the "scrape of restless feet" create an auditory landscape that reinforces the monotony and drudgery of urban life. The description of the city "grinding body, grinding soul, yielding scarce enough to eat" is a stark and brutal indictment of the exploitative nature of industrial society.

A Glimmer of Revolutionary Hope

Despite the overwhelming sense of despair, the poem offers a faint glimmer of hope in the form of a revolutionary vision. The speaker imagines a "city's street" filled with "the tramp of many feet" and "kindled eyes all blazing bright with revolution's heat." This imagery suggests that social change is possible, and that the oppressed may one day rise up and overthrow the system that perpetuates their suffering. The “red flags” and “flashing swords” are powerful symbols of resistance and the potential for a radical transformation of society. However, the line "but not until a city feels Red Revolution's feet shall its sad people miss awhile the terrors of the street" suggests revolution is not ideal, but may be inevitable.

Symbolism of the Street

The "street" itself serves as a powerful symbol throughout the poem. It represents not only a physical location but also a social space where the stark realities of inequality are exposed. The street is a place of constant movement, of anonymity, and of relentless struggle. It is where the wealthy and the poor coexist, yet remain separated by an invisible barrier of privilege and indifference. The speaker's vantage point, "level with the faces in the street," underscores his connection to the suffering of the urban underclass and his desire to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

Conclusion: An Enduring Call for Social Justice

"faces in the street" is more than just a lament for the urban poor; it is a searing indictment of social injustice and a call for empathy and action. The poem's enduring power lies in its ability to capture the human cost of inequality and to remind us of our shared responsibility to create a more just and compassionate society. While written in a specific historical context, its themes of poverty, exploitation, and the yearning for social change continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, making it a timeless and relevant work of social commentary.