Poem Analysis - The Water

Henry Lawson's "The Water" is a passionate and cautionary ode to irrigation in the Australian outback. The poem begins with an optimistic vision of a revitalized landscape, but quickly transitions to a worried warning about potential exploitation. Lawson uses vivid imagery of both drought-stricken lands and bountiful irrigated fields to highlight the life-giving power of water. The tone shifts from hopeful to apprehensive, reflecting the precarious balance between prosperity and control.

The Promise and Peril of Irrigation

One of the central themes in "The Water" is the duality of progress. Lawson initially celebrates the potential of irrigation to transform the arid Australian landscape, envisioning "wide miles of waving crops / And sheets of water gleaming." This imagery evokes a sense of abundance and hope, contrasting sharply with the "drought-ruined" past. However, this promise is immediately shadowed by the fear that the benefits of irrigation will be monopolized by opportunistic "boodlers," who seek to control the land and, crucially, the water itself. Thus, progress is presented as a double-edged sword, capable of both salvation and exploitation.

Water as Life and Commodity

The poem vividly portrays water as both a life-giving force and a potential commodity. Initially, water is depicted as essential for survival and prosperity, embodied in the line "The two most precious things for us / Shall still be wheat and water." This establishes water as a fundamental resource upon which life depends. However, as the poem progresses, water is increasingly presented as a commodity to be controlled and traded. The fear that "The Trust would own the water" underscores the potential for essential resources to be privatized and used for economic gain, leaving ordinary people vulnerable to exploitation. The "rippling waters" become symbols of potential oppression rather than sustenance.

Fighting for Self-Determination

A crucial theme within the poem is the importance of fighting for self-determination and preventing outside forces from exploiting the land and its resources. The final stanza emphasizes resilience and the determination to maintain control. Lawson invokes the spirit of resistance, stating, "But those who fight to hold their own, / The Lord and time delivers; / As we have held our railway lines, / So we shall hold our rivers." This call to action highlights the need for collective effort to safeguard resources from those who would seek to profit from them. The reference to holding "our railway lines" connects the struggle for water rights to a broader history of resistance against exploitation.

Concluding Thoughts: A Timeless Warning

"The Water" is more than just a poem about irrigation; it's a cautionary tale about the potential for progress to be hijacked by greed. Lawson's vivid imagery and shifting tone capture the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world, and the constant need to be vigilant against exploitation. The poem's enduring relevance lies in its exploration of the struggle to control vital resources and ensure that their benefits are shared by all, rather than concentrated in the hands of a few. The poem asks whether collective ownership can be achieved to support self-determination, and if such ownership can be maintained.