Poem Analysis - The Shakedown On The Floor

Henry Lawson's "The Shakedown On The Floor" is a nostalgic and melancholic poem that explores the themes of lost love, rural longing, and the bittersweet nature of memory. The poem begins with a yearning for a simpler, idyllic past and then transitions into a reflection on a cherished romance that ended in heartbreak. A pervasive sense of regret underscores the speaker's recollections, creating a deeply emotional atmosphere. The poem concludes with a sense of acceptance of the past and a lingering sense of connection with the lost love.

The Call of the Country

The poem opens with a strong desire for a return to rural life, contrasting sharply with the speaker's current existence in the city. The lines "Set me back for twenty summers / For I’m tired of cities now" immediately establish this yearning. The imagery of "red-soil furrows" and "hands upon the plough" evokes a sense of physical labor and connection to the land, which the speaker clearly misses. This idealization of the past is further emphasized by the depiction of the "two ‘Black Brothers’ trudging" and the "cattle grazing home," creating a pastoral scene of peace and contentment. The desire to escape the present and return to this idyllic past underscores a theme of dissatisfaction with modern life.

Love's Gentle Embrace and the Pain of Loss

A central theme of the poem is the speaker's love for Mary Carey. He remembers her fondly and describes her as "Bushmen’s favourite at the Rise" with "sweet small freckled features, / Red-gold hair, and kind grey eyes." This idealized portrait highlights her innocence and beauty. The speaker emphasizes the mutual love and affection between them, noting, "And of all my friends and kindred, / Mary Carey loved me best." However, the speaker also acknowledges her shyness and the quiet moments they shared, such as "lingering by the slip rails." The shift from these tender memories to the knowledge of Mary's death – "And she faded like a flower, / And she died, as such girls do" – introduces a profound sense of loss and regret. The lines reveal the speaker's guilt, as he was unaware of her suffering while he was "away in Northern Queensland, / Working hard." The stark contrast between his labor and her death underscores the tragic consequences of separation and unfulfilled potential.

The Symbolic "Shakedown"

The "shake-down on the floor" serves as a powerful symbol of comfort, intimacy, and the speaker's most cherished memories. It represents a safe haven, a place of respite where he experienced love and acceptance. The image of Mary "spread[ing] the mattress" and adding "an extra pillow / And an extra sheet" suggests her nurturing nature and the special connection they shared. The "shake-down" becomes a focal point for the speaker's dreams and desires, as he states, "But wherever night may find me / Till I rest for evermore / I will dream that I am happy / On the shake-down on the floor." The fact that he dreams of it wherever he is indicates a longing for what he has lost. It is a memory that offers solace amidst life's hardships. The "shake-down" also suggests a simpler, more authentic way of life associated with the rural past. It is a symbol of the love and comfort he can no longer experience.

An Echo of the Past

The poem concludes with a sense of acceptance and a lingering connection to the past. The lines "And we suffer for our sorrows, / And we suffer for our joys" suggest that life is a mixture of both positive and negative experiences. The speaker finds solace in the belief that "Mary’s spirit / Is beside me, even now." This spiritual connection provides a sense of comfort and suggests that their love transcends physical death. The "cold breath" that cools the speaker's "living fever" can be interpreted as a moment of peace and reconciliation, indicating that he has come to terms with his loss. "The Shakedown On The Floor" is a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the enduring power of love, leaving the reader with a sense of the bittersweet nature of life and the lasting impact of past experiences.