The Union Buries Its Dead is a fascinating story book by Henry Lawson.The setting of story takes place in Australia.The members of union gathered at the funeral of a stranger man who had some lil it of links with union.The story provide lessons on the hypocrisy and harsh nature of society.
Overview
In this article,we’ll provide complete information on these things:
- Author
- Characters
- Summary
- Analysis
- Themes
- Conclusion
Author
This is a short story by Henry Lawson.He is well known Australian writer.Most of his works explore Australia and its past.You can find some Henry story reviews on our site.
Characters List
In reality,author hadn’t named any character.
Narrator:He narrates the event.
Stranger(James Tyson):He was the one who die & union members came at his funeral.
Priest:He performed holy rituals.
The Union Buries Its Dead Summary
Setting
The story sets in Australia.Henry Lawson portrayed characters who had no names.Narrator was a member of a union of labors.One afternoon.they visited Darling River.They stayed at a dry placed ”BillBong”.The members were talking until a man who was a stranger came up.He had his horses with him.He wanted to cross the river with his horses.
Stranger Entry
The stranger questioned union members about possibility of crossing river.The members made fun of him and replied in a rude way.One of them said that the depth of river is too much that it can drown you.
Union Response
After these words,the man tried to talk but union members didn’t listen to him.They turned deaf year to him.The next day, narrator discovered that police had found a deadbody.The investigation revealed that the man was a stranger who tried to cross river with his horses.Further,they linked him to union as he has a letter in his pocket.It was the same man who met narrator at the river bank.
Funeral Of Stranger
The union arranged his funeral.Henry Lawson shared a bitter lesson.Many of people came on funeral for getting food and other relevant items.They all portrayed them as the ones who are sorry for stranger.
One of union member joke at funeral about the letter.Priest dropped his cap on the ground & sprinkled.He stood in shade while performing rituals.This was all an act of showment.He wanted people to believe that he felt bad for stranger.
The story ends by sharing some key lessons.Check in analysis section.
The Union Buries Its Dead Analysis
Henry Lawson had discussed carelessness of the society.The stranger tried to talk with union members but they ignored him.Further,some members made fun of him.When narrator discovered about the death of stranger,he felt bad.He wanted to have a brief discussion with him a day before.Now,it was late.
All who reached and attented funeral came for getting drink and food.None of them had heartache for poor soul.Some tried to performed acts that can defend their hypocrisy while others had joked at poor soul.
Many readers questioned that why union organized funeral of stranger?This was because police found that the stranger was a roman catholic as well as had link with union labor.
Themes
The story explores the major themes:
Hypocrisy
All members including narrator had dual personality.They all misbehaved at funeral.Their acts explain that they lack a heart.
Careless Society
Its major theme in the story.Stranger was ignored by union members at river side.This elucidated brutal nature of society.
Greed
None of individuals attended funeral for sympathy with the soul.Some came with the greed for liquor.
Conclusion:The Union Buries Its Dead Summary
This article had discussed summary as well as analysis of The Union Buries Its Dead.Overall,the book was all about the selfish nature of society.The plot of story consists of a stranger who died along river side.The union arranger his funeral but the people who appeared made fun of dead soul.If you’have found our article helpful,please share it.
FAQS
What is the main theme of The Union Buries Its Dead?
The main theme of the story is arrogance and hypocrisy of society.Readers had loved story because of meaningful themes.
Explain the symbolism behind the title ”The Union Buries Its Dead” and its significance in the story?
The title symbolizes the struggles of working class and how the union or company remembers them after their death.The story also serves as reminder for labor rights.