This document provides an overview and analysis of the verse novel "by the river" by Steven Herrick. It discusses the hybrid form of the verse novel and how individual poems can provide different perspectives. It also notes that the novel is a Bildungsroman that follows the coming of age of the main character Harry. Several sections and poems from the novel are summarized. The document examines themes of family, love, loss, memories, and how the protagonist comes to terms with his identity and sense of belonging.

1. by the river
Steven Herrick

2. A Verse Novel
The verse novel is a hybrid form that draws on traditional
narrative forms such as the “bush ballad”, lyric, and
dramatic poetry forms.
The individual poems that make up each verse novel
may be told in different voices – as soliloquies,
dramatic monologues, or interior monologues – that
allow the reader to experience different perspectives on
events or situations.

3. A Bildungsroman
by the river is also a coming of age novel in which
the main character, Harry, grows from a child into an
adolescent.
THINK, PAIR, SHARE
Why might readers find this type of writing so
compelling?

4. The Seven Acts
One – Harry
Two – A Patch of Daisies
Three – Love
Four – My Father’s hands
Five – Storm season
Six – Someone, sometime
Seven – Not alone

5. The colour of my town
The colour of my town is the prologue poem that frames
the rest of the novel. It is meant to be a lens through
which the following poems are interpreted.
How does the prologue shape the way the reader
interprets the poem?
Activity – Read The colours of my town
List the characteristics and actions described in the poem
and the emotions associated with each.
This is a list poem – make note of the element of
repetition that are used throughout the poem

6. The Australian Landscape
The story is set in an Australian country town about
forty years ago (1960s).
The natural world is depicted as both a thing of
beauty and a dangerous force of great power.
Identify some of the landscape features in the
poems throughout the novel. What specific images
and ideas are associated with the natural world?
How does it shape our understanding/impression of
the characters?

7. Tom Roberts Slumbering
Sea

8. Frederick McCubbin Bush
Idyll

9. Arthur Streeton Traveller’s
Rest

10. The Australian Landscape
How have these artists depicted the Australian Landscape?
The relationship that settlers had with it?
What is the significance of the country town for Harry? Provide
evidence for your ideas.
Writer’s Notebook: The Colours of...
What are the colours of your life and experiences?
Brainstorm some ideas around a least five colours.
Consider the PEOPLE, THINGS, ACTIONS and
EMOTIONS that you associate with each one.
Write your own 'The Colours of...' poem which follows a
similar structure to the prologue and captures aspects of
YOU!

11. Fathers and Families
Harry’s father must cope with parenting as a single
working father. He is contrasted by other families,
some better off and some worse.
Read through the scenes in which Harry’s father is
featured – e.g. “The dragon slayer”, “Good luck”,
“Too much money”, “My dad’s good hand”, “The
price of sympathy” etc.
What perspectives are highlighted about the
paternal relationship?

12. Fathers and Families
How are the other families presented in the novel?
Johnny Barlow’s family, Linda’s family, Peter Evans’
family, Eve Spencer’s family
And those without family: Mrs Appleyard, Mr Kerry,
Birdy Newman

13. Representations of Love
Love is represented as bringing people together and
driving them apart.
In groups you will be assigned one of the sections of
the novel. Explore and document how love is shown
in your given section. You will report on this section
to the class. They will be taking notes from your
presentation so be as clear and sufficiently detailed.
You may use visual aids.

14. Loss and Leaving
Loss is a central issue to Harry’s coming to terms
with his childhood and his town.
Who has Harry lost? Describe the journey he
undertakes to accept this loss. What does he learn
in the process? About himself? About others?

15. Memories
Herrick is a masterful manipulator of time. At times
the reader is brought close to the memory as if they
are present in the moment, and at others, as if
remembering from the distant past. This emphasises
the different ways memories are recalled.
Select two or three poems that you found especially
moving. Examine each poem carefully, noting
aspects such as verb tenses, voices, and how the
memory is constructed. What does your examination
reveal about the significance of the memory?

16. The End of the Journey
The novel ultimately celebrates coming to terms with
one’s identity and their sense of belonging.
Examine the poems, “It wasn’t God”, “Not alone”,
and “Perfect silence”. How do these poems position
the reader in relation to Harry’s journey back into his
memories?
Write down two significant memories. Why were they
significant? How have they shaped the person you
are now?