Shooting the Moon by Henry Lawson

Summary of “Shooting the Moon” by Henry Lawson 

Detailed Summary

The story “Shooting the Moon” is narrated by a travelling bushman — a man who moves from place to place carrying his swag (a rolled-up blanket and a few belongings). He and his friend Jack Mitchell are two “swagmen”, unemployed bush workers who walk long distances through the Australian countryside, looking for work and camping wherever they can.

As the story begins, the narrator and Jack Mitchell are walking along a lonely bush road. They have no money, no horses, and only their swags and billycans (small pots for making tea). They are on their way to a place where they hope to find work. Along the road, they talk and share stories to pass the time.

While they walk, Mitchell tells the narrator a story from his past about how he once ‘shot the moon.’

In the Australian bush slang, “shooting the moon” means leaving a place secretly at night without paying for your board or lodging. It’s often seen as a dishonest act, but Lawson gives it a different, more human meaning.

Mitchell’s Story

Jack Mitchell once stayed at a small country inn (lodging house) where he couldn’t pay his bill because he had no money. He had planned to stay only a few days but ended up staying longer while waiting for work that never came. When the time came to leave, he was embarrassed that he couldn’t pay the landlord.

So, instead of facing the landlord and admitting he couldn’t pay, he decided to “shoot the moon” — that is, to leave quietly in the middle of the night. However, he did this not out of guilt or cowardice, but because he didn’t want an argument or to be treated badly for being poor.

Before leaving, Mitchell tidied up the room, folded the blankets neatly, and made sure everything was left clean and proper. He even left a short note explaining that he couldn’t pay now but hoped to settle the bill later when he found work. This shows his honesty and self-respect, even in a poor man’s act of escape.

Life on the Road

After telling his story, Mitchell and the narrator continue their journey. They camp in the open bush under the stars. The narrator describes the peaceful night — the smell of gum trees, the glow of the campfire, and the quiet sound of the bush.

Through these details, Lawson paints a vivid picture of life in the Australian outback — a life of hardship, loneliness, but also beauty and freedom.

The two men share their simple meal of tea and damper (bush bread) and talk about life, mateship, and the unfairness of the world. They know that society often looks down on swagmen as lazy or dishonest, but they see themselves differently — as honest workers, unlucky perhaps, but proud of their independence.

Themes and Meaning

The story highlights the spirit of mateship, freedom, and bush pride. Lawson shows that though swagmen are poor, they have a sense of dignity and moral honesty.

The act of “shooting the moon” becomes a symbol of independence — a way for poor men to keep their self-respect even when they have nothing. Instead of stealing or lying, Mitchell quietly removes himself from a situation he can’t fix, preserving his pride.

Conclusion

In the end, “Shooting the Moon” is not just a tale about running away from debt — it’s a gentle, humorous, and touching story about Australian bush life, poverty with pride, and the deep companionship between men who share the same struggles.

Through his simple storytelling, Henry Lawson shows his sympathy for ordinary working-class Australians. He celebrates their humor, honesty, and resilience, even in hard times.

The story leaves us with the image of two mates, sitting by their campfire in the wide open bush, poor but free, and content in their quiet friendship and independence.