The Women Of The Town

By Henry Lawson

Narrative Poem
    It is up from out the alleys, from the alleys dark and vile,     It is up from out the alleys I have struggled for a while,     Just to breathe the breath of Heaven ere my devil drags me down,     And to sing a song of pity for the women of the town.     Johnnies in the private bar room, weak and silly, vain and blind,     Even they would shrink and shudder if they knew the hell behind,     And the meanest wouldnt grumble when hes bilked of half-a-crown     If he knew as much as I do of the women of the town.     For I see the end too plainly of the golden-headed star     Who is smiling like an angel in the gilded private bar,     Drifting to the third-rate houses, drifting, sinking lower down     Till she raves in some foul parlour with the women of the town.     To the dingy beer-stained parlour all day long the outcasts come,     Draggled, dirty, bleared, repulsive, shameless, aye, and rotten some,     They have sold their bodies and would sell their souls for drink to drown     Memories of wrong that haunt them, haunt the women of the town.     I have seen the haunting terror of the horrors in their eyes,     Heard them cry to Christ to help them as the mansoul never cries,     While the smirking landlord listened with a grin or with a frown.     Oh, they suffer hell in drinking, do the women of the town.     I have known too well, God help me! to what depths a man can sink,     Sacrificing wife and children, fame and honour, all for drink.     Deeper, deeper sink the women, for the veriest drunken clown     Has his feet upon the shoulders of the women of the town.     Theres a heavy cloud thats lying on my spirit like a pall,     Tis the horror and injustice and the hopelessness of all,     Theres the love of one for ever that no sea of sin can drown,     And she loves a brute, God help her! does the woman of the town.     O my sisters, O my sisters, I am powerless to aid;     Tis a world of prostitution, it is business, it is trade,     And they profit from the brewer and the smirking landlord down     To the bully and the bludger, on the women of the town.     Oh, the heart of one great poet* called to heaven in a line,     Crying, Mary, pity women!, You have whiter souls than mine.     And if in the grand Hereafter there is one shall wear a crown,     For the hell that men made for her, tis the Woman of the Town.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This is a deeply poignant and socially conscious poem that vividly portrays the suffering and despair of the disenfranchised women of the town. The recurring phrases "women of the town" and “the woman of the town” are used as a symbol of the marginalized and the oppressed, a refrain that intensifies the bleakness of their existence and the depths of their despair.

The poem's theme is the social corruption that leads to the exploitation and degradation of women, often forced into vice due to poverty and neglect. The language use is visceral and raw, offering a stark portrayal of their harsh reality. The poem's tone is one of somber resignation and poignant empathy, with a strong undercurrent of social critique. This critique is directed not only at the individuals who exploit these women, but also at the societal structures that allow and even encourage such exploitation.

The structure of the poem, with its repetitive and rhythmic lines, contributes to the urgency and power of its message. The poet employs vivid imagery and sharp contrasts to underscore the harshness of the women's lives - the "golden-headed star" in the "gilded private bar" who ends up "raving in some foul parlour." The use of religious imagery, such as reference to Christ and the grand Hereafter, adds a layer of moral outrage to the poem's social commentary, thereby engaging the reader on an emotional level.

The poet’s lament of being "powerless to aid" and his call to the heavens for mercy, serve to underscore the urgency of the situation and the need for societal change. This poem's strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of a difficult subject and its emotional appeal for compassion and justice.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.