Poem Analysis - Out Back

A Harsh Reality: Introduction to "Out Back"

Henry Lawson's "Out Back" paints a bleak and unforgiving portrait of life for shearers and swagmen in the Australian outback. The poem is imbued with a sense of hardship, isolation, and the constant struggle for survival. The tone is initially matter-of-fact, almost detached, as it describes the cyclical nature of the shearer's life, but it gradually deepens into one of despair and resignation. The stark imagery and repetitive structure emphasize the unrelenting nature of their existence, culminating in a poignant depiction of death and anonymity.

Historical Echoes: The Shearer's Plight

Henry Lawson's poetry often reflects the social realities of late 19th and early 20th century Australia, a time of economic hardship and the growth of the working class. The poem captures the precarious existence of itinerant workers, particularly shearers, who were essential to the wool industry but often faced unemployment, exploitation, and harsh living conditions. The reference to the "cheque" that is "spent" and the sheds that are "all cut out" speaks directly to the seasonal nature of their employment and the vulnerability of their financial situation. This context deepens our understanding of the swagman's desperate need to "tramp" in search of work and his ultimate vulnerability in the vast and unforgiving landscape.

Theme of Isolation: Abandonment and Anonymity

One of the central themes of "Out Back" is the profound isolation experienced by those who live and die in the Australian interior. This isolation is both physical and emotional. The vast distances, the lack of reliable tracks, and the absence of human connection contribute to a sense of being utterly alone. The lines "With never a soul to know or care if he died on the track or not" and "But only God and the swagmen know how a poor man fares Out Back" highlight the indifference of society to the fate of these men. Even in death, the swagman remains anonymous, his "bleaching bones" a stark reminder of his forgotten existence, unheeded by society or its laws. This theme is reinforced by the drover's inaction; he witnesses the death but doesn't report it, underscoring the lack of value placed on the lives of those in the outback.

The Land as Antagonist: Nature's Cruelty

The Australian outback itself functions as a powerful antagonist in the poem, embodying a hostile and unforgiving environment. The poem is rich with imagery of drought ("withering weeks of drought," "parched Paroo"), heat ("stifling noons," "furnace-breath"), and desolation ("scrubs and plains are wide"). The land is not merely a backdrop but an active force that wears down the swagman, physically and mentally. The descriptions of "stinted stomachs and blistered feet," "water warmed in the bag that hung to his aching arm like lead," and the image of the swagman ploughing "in mud to his trembling knees" emphasize the physical toll exacted by the environment. The contrast between the full tanks and high grass in the mulga, where the dead swagman lies, and the "hard and dry" tank bed where he dies of thirst, intensifies the sense of nature's indifference to human suffering.

The Weight of the Swag: A Burden of Existence

The swag serves as a potent symbol throughout the poem, representing not only the swagman's material possessions but also the burden of his existence. It is a constant reminder of his itinerant lifestyle, his poverty, and the relentless search for work. The repeated phrase "carry their swags Out Back" emphasizes the weight of this burden, both literal and metaphorical. As the poem progresses, the swag becomes almost inseparable from the swagman himself, as seen in the line "He tramped for years till the swag he bore seemed part of himself to him." In the final stanza, the "mouldering swag" lying beside his "bleaching bones" serves as a final, tragic testament to his life and the struggles he endured.

Final Thoughts: A Lament for the Forgotten

"Out Back" is a powerful and enduring poem that serves as a lament for the forgotten men of the Australian outback. It explores the themes of isolation, hardship, and the indifference of society to the plight of the working class. Through vivid imagery, a bleak tone, and recurring symbols, Lawson creates a compelling portrait of a harsh and unforgiving world, where survival is a constant struggle and death is often a solitary and anonymous event. The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the essence of the swagman's experience and to remind us of the human cost of economic and social inequality.