Such is Life, written by Joseph Furphy under the pseudonym “Tom Collins,” occupies a distinctive place in the history of the Australian novel, serving as both a pioneering work of Australian literature and a complex exploration of the country’s social and cultural landscape. Published in 1903, the novel is remarkable for its unconventional narrative style, its vivid portrayal of Australian life, and its use of humor and irony to critique the social conditions and ideologies of its time. Through its fragmented structure and episodic plot, Such is Life offers insights into the lives of rural Australians, particularly the marginalized workers, bushmen, and squatters who populate the nation’s vast landscapes. In doing so, it contributes significantly to the Australian literary canon by challenging traditional novelistic forms, engaging with the complexities of national identity, and capturing the unique rhythms and realities of life in Australia’s outback.
1) Innovative Narrative Structure and Literary Style
One of the most striking aspects of Such is Life is its experimental narrative structure, which departs from conventional storytelling and anticipates the modernist techniques that would later be popularized by writers like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. The novel’s protagonist, Tom Collins, serves as an unreliable narrator who recounts his seemingly mundane adventures in the Australian outback. Rather than following a linear or coherent plot, the narrative is fragmented and digressive, often veering into philosophical musings, satirical commentary, and personal reflections. This structure allows Furphy to create a richly textured portrayal of life, blending humor, irony, and introspection to explore themes of human frailty, morality, and the unpredictability of existence.
Furphy’s style also emphasizes the colloquial language and vernacular speech of rural Australians, a decision that not only grounds the novel in its Australian context but also elevates the voices and experiences of the working class. The use of regional dialects and slang lends the novel authenticity and gives readers a window into the world of the bush workers, laborers, and drifters who populate the story. In doing so, Furphy captures the unique flavor of Australian English and helps establish a distinct literary voice for the nation. This innovative approach to narrative and language marked a departure from the more polished, European-influenced novels of the time, positioning Such is Life as an early experiment in creating an authentically Australian literary style.
2) Portrayal of the Australian Bush and the Working-Class Experience
Another significant contribution of Such is Life to the Australian novel is its vivid depiction of the Australian bush and the lives of working-class Australians. Unlike many novels of the period that romanticized the bush or presented it as an exotic setting, Furphy’s work offers a nuanced and realistic view of life in the outback. The novel follows Tom Collins as he traverses the countryside, encountering a cast of characters that includes bullock drivers, shearers, squatters, and itinerant workers. These figures are portrayed with empathy and humor, highlighting both the hardships they face and the camaraderie they share in the face of a harsh environment.
Furphy’s portrayal of the bush aligns with the ethos of mateship and egalitarianism that would become central to Australian identity. Through the interactions between Tom and the people he meets, the novel emphasizes values such as mutual support, resilience, and an understated heroism that emerges in the everyday struggles of ordinary Australians. This focus on working-class characters and their lives was groundbreaking in Australian literature, challenging the prevailing narratives that centered on wealthier or more genteel protagonists. By centering the experiences of marginalized and itinerant workers, Furphy’s novel provides a counter-narrative to the dominant colonial and aristocratic perspectives, highlighting the dignity and resilience of those who labor in the country’s vast and unforgiving landscapes.
3) Exploration of National Identity and the Australian Character
Such is Life is often regarded as a work that grapples with the formation of a distinctly Australian identity. In its portrayal of the rural laboring class and the dynamics of life in the bush, the novel reflects many of the qualities that would later be associated with the “Australian character”—independence, pragmatism, humor, and a skeptical view of authority. Furphy uses Tom’s narrative to explore these traits, often presenting his protagonist as both a participant in and a satirical observer of the customs and social codes of bush life. Tom’s experiences highlight the complexity of the Australian character, one that values egalitarianism yet often struggles with social divisions based on class, ethnicity, and occupation.
Furphy’s novel also engages with the question of Australia’s cultural autonomy and the influence of British colonialism. Throughout the story, Tom frequently encounters remnants of British cultural expectations and ideals, which are often at odds with the realities of life in the Australian bush. By juxtaposing these colonial values with the raw, unsentimental world of the outback, Furphy subtly critiques the inadequacies of British institutions and cultural norms in an Australian setting. This theme contributes to the novel’s historical significance, as it reflects the early stirrings of a national consciousness that sought to distinguish itself from British identity and assert a unique Australian perspective.
4) Humor, Irony, and Social Critique
A key feature of Such is Life is its use of humor and irony, which Furphy employs to critique social conventions, political ideologies, and human folly. The novel’s title itself, Such is Life, conveys a sense of fatalistic humor, acknowledging the absurdity and unpredictability of existence. Through Tom’s often meandering and self-deprecating narrative, Furphy offers a satirical look at various aspects of Australian society, from class distinctions to the arbitrariness of fate. This humor serves as a coping mechanism for the hardships faced by the characters, allowing them to find levity even in the face of adversity.
Furphy’s use of irony also allows him to address serious social issues without overt moralizing. Tom’s observations often reveal the hypocrisy and contradictions in societal norms, particularly in relation to class and gender. For instance, Tom encounters women who defy the conventional roles expected of them, hinting at the limitations and injustices imposed on women by the prevailing social structure. Through these subtle critiques, Such is Life becomes more than a mere chronicle of bush life; it offers a layered examination of the values, assumptions, and power dynamics that shape human interactions.
Conclusion In the history of the Australian novel, Such is Life holds a place of particular importance as a pioneering work that pushed the boundaries of literary form, language, and subject matter. Joseph Furphy’s novel captures the essence of the Australian experience, offering a richly textured portrayal of the bush, the working class, and the emerging national identity. By combining humor, irony, and an experimental narrative style, Furphy created a work that resonates with readers as both an authentic representation of Australian life and a nuanced critique of the social and cultural landscape. Such is Life stands as a foundational text in Australian literature, one that not only reflects the realities of its time but also contributes to the development of a distinctly Australian voice in fiction.