What does Henry Lawson’s story “Drifted Back” tell us about the experience of the Australians in 19th century? What two themes we can identify in the story?

In this essay I will present my view on Henry Lawson’s perspective on the life and experience of white settlement pioneers in outback Australia described in a sketch story “Drifted Back”. Lawson (17 June 1867 – 2 September 1922) absolutely had no romantic illusions about a 'rural idyll'. His bitter view of the outback life was far removed from the romantic idyll of brave horsemen and beautiful scenery depicted in some other Australian novels and poetry of his time. He touched two themes in the story: loneliness and change.

From the story we learn that the stranger, perhaps a white old man, has come back after 15 years to the town he knew very well. He enquired about number of people he knew from this desolate town. He listed them surname by surname expecting to find a few of his old friends. He seemed very surprised to find that most of the people were no longer in the town. He did not expected so big a change. It seems like he did not realise that time is flowing. He came alone to his hometown after years of his swagman journey “(…)I've tramped and travelled long ways since then” expecting to reunite with his family - old friends, to find a home again and spend Christmas-time like everyone likes to spend – with family, among people where one feels safe and comfortable.