Poem Analysis - The Old Stockmans Lament

A Cynical Farewell

Henry Lawson's "The Old Stockman's Lament" is a sardonic and disillusioned farewell to a society the speaker finds increasingly hypocritical and shallow. The poem drips with cynicism, particularly regarding the performative patriotism and social climbing observed during wartime. The tone begins with a weary resignation and intensifies into a bitter condemnation of the perceived phoniness around him, ending with a heartfelt longing for the simplicity and authenticity of the Australian outback.

The Stain of Hypocrisy

One of the central themes of the poem is the hypocrisy of the upper and middle classes. The speaker contrasts his genuine connection to the land with the superficiality of those who "have stayed with some well-to-do people, / And I’ve dined with some middle-class folk." He is disgusted by their shifting allegiances, noting how their conversations have moved from political debates to displays of patriotic fervor. The lines "Now they’re all of them Red or Blue Crossers, / With their tails sticking out of their trunks" vividly portray the sense that their charitable efforts are more about appearances than genuine compassion.

Lost Authenticity

Another key theme is the loss of authenticity and the speaker's longing for a simpler, more genuine way of life. This is embodied in his desire to be buried "In the land where the coolibahs grow." The coolibah tree becomes a symbol of the true Australia, untainted by the artificiality of the city and its inhabitants. The speaker sees the contrast between people like “Mad Mick” who is “hanging out somewhere where French is” fighting the war, versus “Darling Point Martins” who are glorified for war contributions. He finds the latter appalling because of the pretense that they are contributing while also being "horrified cousins” of "Mad Mick."

The Bitter Taste of War

The shadow of war looms large, exposing the social inequalities and absurdities of the time. The poem highlights the disparity between the comfortable lives of the wealthy, who send their sons off to war with elaborate farewells, and the plight of "Poor Tommy," who is left to "fight, sweat and swear" on the front lines. The description of the war-going parsons as "caddish young cub[s] of old Carson’s" who "feel not a word that he preaches" further underscores the speaker's contempt for the insincerity he observes.

Symbols of Disgust

Several recurring images contribute to the poem's overall message. The "stockwhip and blanket" represent the stockman's connection to the land and a simpler, more authentic existence. The phrase "tails sticking out of their trunks" acts as a visual symbol for how the pretentious acts of charity cannot fully hide the greedy nature of certain people. The "coolibahs" are symbolic of the Australian bush and everything the stockman holds dear.

A Final Lament

"The Old Stockman's Lament" is a powerful critique of a society grappling with the complexities of war and social change. Through vivid imagery and a cynical tone, Lawson exposes the hypocrisy and superficiality he sees around him. The poem is a lament not just for a lost way of life, but for the erosion of genuine values in the face of societal pressures. The old stockman's desire to return to the land represents a yearning for authenticity and a rejection of the phoniness that has come to define his world. Is the poem a timeless reflection on the human condition, or is it specific to a particular moment in Australian history?