Poem Analysis - Sez You

Overview: Perseverance in the Face of Adversity

Henry Lawson's "Sez You" is a powerful ode to resilience and the indomitable spirit of the common Australian. The poem, written in a colloquial style, uses vivid imagery of hardship to convey a message of hope and self-affirmation. Its tone is generally encouraging, punctuated by moments of frustration and defiance. While there isn’t a shift in mood, there is a change in setting reflecting the ubiquity of hardship.

A Voice of the Working Class

Lawson, a prominent Australian writer, was known for his stories and poems that depicted the harsh realities of life in the Australian outback and the struggles of the working class in urban environments. His own experiences with poverty and hardship likely informed the poem's raw and authentic portrayal of adversity. The poem’s focus on the experiences of the working class, from outback laborers to homeless city dwellers, reflects Lawson’s commitment to giving voice to the marginalized and overlooked in Australian society.

Themes of Endurance, Hope, and Self-Reliance

One of the central themes is endurance, illustrated through the relentless hardships faced by the poem's subjects: the unbearable heat, lack of resources, and social prejudice. The phrase "it can’t go on for ever" is repeated throughout, underscoring the temporary nature of suffering and the promise of a better future. This phrase, coupled with the defiant "sez you," promotes a sense of hope, even in the face of despair. A further theme is self-reliance. The poem stresses the importance of inner strength and resilience in overcoming adversity. The constant advice to "be true" to oneself emphasizes the significance of maintaining integrity and self-respect. The poem suggests that the power to overcome hardship resides within each individual, reinforcing a powerful message of self-efficacy.

Imagery of Hardship and Resilience

The poem employs powerful imagery to depict the harsh realities faced by its subjects. Descriptions of "heavy sand" and "flowing heat" evoke the brutal conditions of the outback, while images of "flapping boot-soles" and "clothes are mostly rags" vividly portray the poverty of city dwellers. These images serve to highlight the challenges faced by the working class and underscore the importance of resilience. The image of the policeman in the Domain stirs a certain tension, highlighting the power imbalance between the authorities and the vulnerable. The contrasting image of the lilies, "how they idle, how they grow," serves as a foil to the speaker's laborious life and reinforces the futility of relying on external factors for success.

Interpreting the Final Stanza

The final stanza, while seemingly contradictory with its references to God, meekness, and acceptance of social hierarchy, offers a complex perspective. It could be interpreted ironically, highlighting the societal pressures that encourage resignation rather than resistance. Alternatively, it might suggest that even within a system of inequality, there is value in faith and self-preservation. The final line, "I shall die some day," acknowledges the inevitability of death but also reinforces the importance of clinging to life and making the most of one's existence. Is this a call to passive acceptance, or a call to perseverance until the very end?

A Lasting Legacy of Resilience

"Sez You" is a testament to the human capacity for resilience in the face of adversity. Through vivid imagery, colloquial language, and a defiant tone, Lawson captures the spirit of the Australian working class and offers a message of hope and self-affirmation. The poem's enduring appeal lies in its universal message of endurance, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, the power to persevere resides within each of us. The poem serves as a reminder that the strength to overcome challenges comes not just from external forces, but from a deep-seated belief in oneself.