Introduction: “TOM COLLINS” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
“Tom Collins” by A. B. “Banjo” Paterson first appeared in The Bulletin on 19 August 1893 and was later included in Paterson’s celebrated collection The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses (1895). The poem humorously portrays a naïve and self-satisfied Australian everyman—“who never drinks and never bets, / But loves his wife and pays his debts” — embodying the moral uprightness and complacency of the middle-class citizen who trusts institutions and newspapers without question. Written at a time when “Tom Collins” was slang for an idle rumour, Paterson’s use of the name adds an ironic twist: his “patriot” and “model citizen” may himself be a fiction. The poem’s main ideas revolve around social satire, poking fun at blind respectability, political gullibility, and misplaced patriotism. Its popularity lies in Paterson’s witty rhythm, easy rhyme, and keen reflection of 1890s colonial society, making “Tom Collins” both a product and a parody of Australian national character (Paterson, 1893).
Text: “TOM COLLINS” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
Who never drinks and never bets,
But loves his wife and pays his debts
And feels content with what he gets?
Tom Collins.
Who has the utmost confidence
That all the banks now in suspense
Will meet their paper three years hence?
Tom Collins.
Who reads the Herald leaders through,
And takes the Evening News for true,
And thought the Echo’s jokes were new?
Tom Collins.
Who is the patriot renowned
So very opportunely found
To fork up Dibbs’s thousand pound?
Tom Collins.
At the time of writing “Tom Collins” was the current slang expression for “an idle rumour”.
The Bulletin, 19 August 1893.
Annotations: “TOM COLLINS” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
| Stanza | Annotation (Simple & Detailed English) | Literary Devices |
| 1 | The poet humorously describes a man who never drinks or gambles, loves his wife, pays his debts, and feels happy with whatever he earns. Paterson uses this description to mock the idea of a “perfect gentleman.” Since “Tom Collins” was slang for an idle rumour at the time, the poet suggests that such a faultless man doesn’t really exist—he’s only imaginary. It’s a playful criticism of moral idealism in society. | Irony: Describes a man who doesn’t exist. Satire: Mocks unrealistic moral standards. Allusion: “Tom Collins” as a false rumour. Rhyme Scheme: A A A B (light, rhythmic tone). Repetition: “Tom Collins” at the end of each stanza. |
| 2 | This stanza targets naïve optimism. During the 1890s Australian banking crisis, many banks failed. Paterson jokes that only a foolishly trusting man would still believe the suspended banks would pay their debts in three years. The poet highlights public gullibility and misplaced faith in corrupt financial systems. | Satire: Criticizes blind trust in failing institutions. Irony: “Confidence” contrasts with economic collapse. Historical Allusion: Refers to the real banking crisis of 1893. Repetition: “Tom Collins” reinforces disbelief. Tone: Sarcastic and mocking. |
| 3 | The poet mocks ordinary readers who believe everything printed in newspapers. “Herald,” “Evening News,” and “Echo” were actual newspapers in Australia. Paterson suggests that “Tom Collins” represents a gullible citizen who accepts propaganda and old jokes as truth and novelty. It’s a comment on people’s lack of critical thinking. | Allusion: To real Australian newspapers. Irony: Accepting “the Evening News for true.” Satire: Criticizes blind faith in the press. Rhyme: Creates musical flow and comic tone. Symbolism: “Tom Collins” symbolizes public ignorance. |
| 4 | This stanza ridicules false patriotism. Paterson refers to Premier George Dibbs, known for his nationalistic slogans and fundraising. The poet mocks the idea that a “patriot” would generously give £1000 for the cause—implying that such self-sacrificing patriots exist only in name, not in reality. “Tom Collins” again symbolizes an illusion—a patriot who appears when needed but never truly exists. | Allusion: To Premier George Dibbs. Irony: “Patriot renowned” who is only imaginary. Satire: Targets political hypocrisy. Symbolism: “Tom Collins” = false ideal citizen. Repetition: Unifies all stanzas and the theme. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “TOM COLLINS” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
| No. | Device | Definition | Example from Poem | Expanded Explanation |
| 1 | Anaphora | Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines. | “Who never drinks… / Who has the utmost confidence… / Who reads the Herald leaders…” | The repeated “Who” begins each stanza, mimicking the rhythm of a rhetorical chant. It emphasizes the poet’s mocking interrogation of a conformist figure admired by society. |
| 2 | Antithesis | A contrast of ideas expressed in a balanced grammatical structure. | “Never drinks and never bets” | The juxtaposition of vices and virtues stresses how Tom Collins’s moral purity borders on dullness, exposing the poet’s irony toward such idealized virtue. |
| 3 | Apostrophe | A direct address to an absent or imaginary person or concept. | The repeated address to “Tom Collins.” | Though “Tom Collins” is not present (and, in slang, not real), the repeated naming addresses him as if he exists — reinforcing the satire of society’s faith in myths and illusions. |
| 4 | Assonance | Repetition of vowel sounds within words in close proximity. | “Reads the Hearald leaders through” | The echo of “ea” sounds creates internal harmony, enhancing the musical rhythm of the ballad and aiding memorability when recited. |
| 5 | Ballad Form | A narrative poem written in short stanzas with simple rhythm and rhyme. | Entire poem follows A-A-A rhyme with short quatrains. | Paterson’s choice of ballad form allows oral performance and satire to merge, presenting a humorous critique in a folk-song style accessible to everyday readers. |
| 6 | Characterization | The creation or description of a fictional persona. | “Who never drinks and never bets, / But loves his wife and pays his debts” | Paterson constructs Tom Collins as a portrait of the self-satisfied colonial gentleman—honest, moral, but intellectually shallow—embodying the poet’s target of satire. |
| 7 | Couplet Ending | Use of two rhyming lines to conclude an idea. | “And feels content with what he gets? / Tom Collins.” | Each stanza’s ending couplet resolves the question with the same punchline, producing a comic and rhythmic closure that underscores the satirical repetition. |
| 8 | Hyperbole | Exaggeration used for emphasis or humor. | “Utmost confidence that all the banks… will meet their paper three years hence.” | The extreme optimism mocks the gullibility of people who blindly trust financial institutions during crises, exposing social naiveté. |
| 9 | Imagery | Descriptive language appealing to the senses. | “Reads the Herald leaders through” | The line paints a vivid picture of a dutiful, newspaper-reading man, suggesting a shallow engagement with the world based solely on what he reads, not what he questions. |
| 10 | Irony | A contrast between expectation and reality or surface meaning and underlying truth. | “Patriot renowned… to fork up Dibbs’s thousand pound” | The praise of Tom Collins as a “patriot” is ironic—he is not heroic but a tool for political exploitation, reflecting the poet’s mockery of false nationalism. |
| 11 | Metaphor | Comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” | “Tom Collins” as metaphor for rumor and credulous citizen. | The name becomes a living metaphor for public gullibility and social myth-making, where people believe whatever they are told without proof. |
| 12 | Meter (Rhythm) | Regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in verse. | Consistent iambic beat throughout. | The steady rhythm gives the poem a lively sing-song quality, enhancing its irony by disguising biting social critique under a cheerful tone. |
| 13 | Parody | Humorous imitation of a serious style or subject. | The whole poem parodies moralistic odes to virtue. | Paterson mimics the tone of moral instruction poems, but his exaggerated praise of “Tom Collins” exposes the absurdity of blind morality and patriotism. |
| 14 | Personification | Attributing human characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. | “Banks now in suspense will meet their paper” | By personifying the banks as entities that “meet” their promises, Paterson mocks human trust in impersonal financial systems. |
| 15 | Refrain | A line or phrase repeated at intervals, often at the end of stanzas. | “Tom Collins.” | The repeated name functions like a chorus, reinforcing the comic absurdity and reminding readers that the subject himself may be nothing but a rumor. |
| 16 | Rhyme Scheme | Ordered pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines. | “Bets / debts / gets – Collins.” | The tight rhyme pattern keeps the verse melodic and witty, reflecting the singable quality of Australian bush ballads while enhancing humor. |
| 17 | Sarcasm | Bitter or cutting remark intended to mock or convey contempt. | “Patriot renowned so very opportunely found.” | The sarcastic tone ridicules opportunistic politics and citizens who claim virtue when convenient. |
| 18 | Satire | Use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize human folly or institutions. | Entire poem satirizes the respectable middle class. | Paterson exposes the hypocrisy, complacency, and unthinking obedience of “good citizens,” blending laughter with social critique. |
| 19 | Symbolism | Use of symbols to signify ideas or qualities beyond their literal meaning. | “Tom Collins” symbolizes both rumor and the naïve, conformist man. | The name’s double meaning transforms the character into a cultural symbol of public gullibility and blind faith. |
| 20 | Tone | The poet’s attitude toward the subject, conveyed through style and diction. | Light, comic, yet critical tone throughout. | The humor and rhyme soften the critique, but the underlying tone remains one of ridicule, exposing the absurdity of self-righteous moralism and patriotic credulity. |
Themes: “TOM COLLINS” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
Theme 1: Satire of Moral Respectability
In A. B. “Banjo” Paterson’s “Tom Collins”, the poet humorously exposes the hollowness of self-proclaimed morality and respectability in late-nineteenth-century Australian society. The opening lines — “Who never drinks and never bets, / But loves his wife and pays his debts / And feels content with what he gets?” — appear to praise a model citizen, but the exaggerated perfection soon reveals itself as a subtle mockery of complacent virtue. Paterson suggests that such outward morality masks passivity and a lack of critical thought. Through rhythmic repetition and a sing-song tone, he turns the portrait of an upright man into a caricature of moral mediocrity. The satire lies not in condemning goodness itself, but in ridiculing the smug satisfaction of those who confuse conformity with character.
Theme 2: Gullibility and Public Credulity
In A. B. “Banjo” Paterson’s “Tom Collins”, a central theme is society’s readiness to believe whatever is printed or proclaimed without question. The stanza — “Who reads the Herald leaders through, / And takes the Evening News for true, / And thought the Echo’s jokes were new?” — captures this theme perfectly. Here, “Tom Collins” represents the ordinary citizen who uncritically absorbs public opinion, mistaking consumption of news for wisdom. The poet’s reference to multiple newspapers highlights the growing influence of the colonial press and its ability to shape naïve minds. The refrain reinforces this blind acceptance: every assertion, however absurd, ends with “Tom Collins,” reminding readers that the average person is too credulous to doubt or analyze the information they receive.
Theme 3: Political Opportunism and False Patriotism
In A. B. “Banjo” Paterson’s “Tom Collins”, the poet also lampoons the exploitation of patriotic sentiment by politicians and financiers. In the final stanza — “Who is the patriot renowned / So very opportunely found / To fork up Dibbs’s thousand pound?” — the poet references George Dibbs, a contemporary New South Wales politician, to illustrate how “patriotism” is conveniently invoked when public money or loyalty is needed. The “patriot” Tom Collins is no hero; he is a gullible follower easily manipulated by leaders who appeal to national pride. Through irony and sarcasm, Paterson reveals that such patriotism is performative rather than principled — a matter of convenience rather than conviction. The poem thus critiques the transactional nature of civic virtue and exposes how public trust can be weaponized for political ends.
Theme 4: The Illusion of Social Stability
In A. B. “Banjo” Paterson’s “Tom Collins”, another underlying theme is the fragility of the colonial social order and people’s desperate faith in its permanence. The poet writes, “Who has the utmost confidence / That all the banks now in suspense / Will meet their paper three years hence?” — a direct reference to the banking crisis of 1893. By attributing such naïve optimism to Tom Collins, Paterson mocks society’s refusal to acknowledge economic instability and the illusion of prosperity built on trust rather than fact. The line reflects a deeper psychological need for certainty amid uncertainty — a faith that “everything will work out,” even when evidence suggests otherwise. Paterson’s satire thereby exposes the moral and economic self-deception that characterized the colonial mindset, reminding readers that contentment without awareness can be as dangerous as corruption itself.
Literary Theories and “TOM COLLINS” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
| Literary Theory | Application to “Tom Collins” | References from the Poem | Explanation |
| 1. New Historicism | This theory reads the poem in relation to its historical and social context — the economic depression and banking crisis of the 1890s in Australia. Paterson uses irony to reflect the misplaced optimism of people who trusted banks and politicians despite corruption. | “Who has the utmost confidence / That all the banks now in suspense / Will meet their paper three years hence?” | The stanza exposes naïve faith during a real financial crisis, showing how social attitudes and illusions are shaped by their time. The poem becomes a cultural mirror of 1890s Australian society. |
| 2. Marxist Theory | A Marxist reading focuses on class ideology and false consciousness. “Tom Collins” represents the working or middle class deceived by ruling-class propaganda—trusting newspapers, banks, and politicians who exploit them. | “Who reads the Herald leaders through, / And takes the Evening News for true…?” | The stanza mocks how the media serves capitalist interests, controlling public opinion and keeping citizens passive. The poem satirizes social inequality and class manipulation. |
| 3. Structuralism | A structuralist reading sees “Tom Collins” as a symbolic structure built on binaries: real vs. unreal, truth vs. rumour, virtue vs. vice. The repeated refrain “Tom Collins” acts as a linguistic sign for illusion or myth. | “Who never drinks and never bets…? / Tom Collins.” | Each stanza creates a pattern where an ideal quality (honesty, patriotism, trust) is described, then undermined by revealing that such a person doesn’t exist. This repetition structures the poem’s irony. |
| 4. Reader-Response Theory | This theory focuses on how readers interpret and react to the poem. Readers find humour and irony as they realize that “Tom Collins” means an idle rumour—changing their understanding from literal admiration to amused disbelief. | Repeated refrain: “Tom Collins.” | The poem plays with reader expectations—initially describing an ideal man, but ending each stanza with a punchline that surprises and engages the audience. Reader participation completes the poem’s humour and satire. |
Critical Questions about “TOM COLLINS” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
1. How does A. B. “Banjo” Paterson use irony in “Tom Collins” to criticize moral idealism in society?
In “Tom Collins”, Paterson employs sharp irony to mock society’s unrealistic moral expectations. The poem opens with a supposedly perfect man—one “who never drinks and never bets, / But loves his wife and pays his debts”—only to reveal that this paragon is “Tom Collins,” a name meaning an idle rumour. The irony lies in the impossibility of such flawless virtue; the poet humorously implies that a man so pure exists only in talk, not in truth. Through this playful irony, Paterson exposes the gap between public ideals and private realities. His use of rhyme and repetition enhances the mock-serious tone, making the reader question whether society’s moral standards are genuine values or just convenient myths sustained by gossip and self-delusion.
2. What does “Tom Collins” suggest about public gullibility and media influence in 19th-century Australia?
Paterson’s “Tom Collins” satirizes the uncritical public who believe everything printed in the newspapers. The stanza “Who reads the Herald leaders through, / And takes the Evening News for true, / And thought the Echo’s jokes were new?” ridicules the ordinary reader’s blind faith in the press. Paterson mentions actual Australian newspapers of his time, grounding his satire in social reality. The use of rhyme and rhythm gives the lines a comic effect, but beneath the humour lies a serious criticism: the people are easily manipulated by the media, accepting shallow commentary and outdated jokes as truth. The poet warns that such gullibility leads to collective ignorance—a nation believing rumours (“Tom Collins”) instead of questioning authority or seeking facts.
3. How does “Tom Collins” reflect the socio-economic context of the 1890s Australian banking crisis?
In “Tom Collins”, Paterson integrates economic commentary into his satire, capturing the disillusionment of the 1893 banking collapse. The lines “Who has the utmost confidence / That all the banks now in suspense / Will meet their paper three years hence?” mock the naïve optimism of citizens who continued to trust failing institutions. The “utmost confidence” becomes a symbol of false hope, revealing how financial institutions manipulate the public through illusion. Paterson’s choice of the name “Tom Collins”—meaning a rumour—suggests that such faith in banks is just as baseless as gossip. By embedding this real economic event within poetic humour, Paterson turns his verse into a mirror of Australia’s misplaced trust in a collapsing capitalist order.
4. In what way does Paterson use the character of “Tom Collins” to expose political hypocrisy and false patriotism?
In the final stanza of “Tom Collins”, Paterson turns his wit toward politics, targeting opportunistic patriotism. The lines “Who is the patriot renowned / So very opportunely found / To fork up Dibbs’s thousand pound?” refer to George Dibbs, a contemporary Premier known for nationalist speeches and fundraising. The so-called patriot willing to donate a thousand pounds is, once again, “Tom Collins”—a rumour, not a real man. Through this satire, Paterson unmasks political hypocrisy: grand ideals of nationalism and self-sacrifice exist only in rhetoric, not in reality. The rhythm and repetition reinforce the comic absurdity of political pretense, while the poem’s final repetition of “Tom Collins” leaves readers laughing at the empty façade of public virtue and questioning whether any genuine patriotism survives in a world ruled by show and self-interest.
Literary Works Similar to “TOM COLLINS” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
- “The Man from Ironbark” by A. B. “Banjo” Paterson – Similar in its humorous, satirical tone, this poem mocks social pretensions and city sophistication through the eyes of a simple bushman, much like “Tom Collins” ridicules gullible respectability.
- “The Unknown Citizen” by W. H. Auden – Shares “Tom Collins”’s theme of blind conformity and the irony of being a model citizen who unquestioningly follows social norms.
- “A Considerable Speck” by Robert Frost – Like “Tom Collins”, it uses wit and observation to expose human arrogance and the illusion of moral or intellectual superiority.
- “The Hollow Men” by T. S. Eliot – Echoes Paterson’s critique of moral emptiness, portraying figures who, like Tom Collins, are spiritually hollow despite outward decency.
- “The Village Schoolmaster” by Oliver Goldsmith – Comparable in its portrayal of an admired yet naïve character whose virtues are exaggerated to highlight the humor and irony of rural or social idealization.
Representative Quotations of “TOM COLLINS” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
| No. | Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective (in bold) |
| 1 | “Who never drinks and never bets, / But loves his wife and pays his debts” | Introduces Tom Collins as the embodiment of conventional virtue and moral restraint. | Moral Satire: Paterson ironizes the Victorian ideal of respectability, exposing the emptiness behind social conformity. |
| 2 | “And feels content with what he gets? / Tom Collins.” | The refrain mocks complacency by turning virtue into mediocrity. | Marxist Perspective: Suggests ideological submission of the working class, content within capitalist inequalities. |
| 3 | “Who has the utmost confidence / That all the banks now in suspense / Will meet their paper three years hence?” | Refers to the 1893 Australian banking collapse and people’s naïve optimism. | Socio-Economic Critique: Reflects false consciousness and blind faith in financial institutions as symbols of capitalist illusion. |
| 4 | “Who reads the Herald leaders through, / And takes the Evening News for true, / And thought the Echo’s jokes were new?” | Illustrates uncritical acceptance of mass media and public opinion. | Cultural Studies Perspective: Anticipates media hegemony and how news reinforces dominant ideologies. |
| 5 | “Who is the patriot renowned / So very opportunely found / To fork up Dibbs’s thousand pound?” | References politician George Dibbs and opportunistic patriotism during economic turmoil. | Political Irony: Exposes manipulation of nationalism and economic loyalty under populist rhetoric. |
| 6 | “Tom Collins.” (repeated refrain) | Appears at the end of every stanza, punctuating each satirical question. | Structuralist View: The repetition acts as a linguistic signifier of rumor, parodying the construction of social myths. |
| 7 | “Who never drinks and never bets…” | Repetition of moral behaviors emphasizes respectability. | Psychoanalytic Lens: Symbolizes repression of desire and the moral rigidity of colonial masculinity. |
| 8 | “Reads the Herald leaders through” | Depicts a passive consumer of public discourse. | Postcolonial Reading: Critiques colonial dependency on imported British press culture and thought. |
| 9 | “Utmost confidence that all the banks… will meet their paper three years hence” | Highlights irrational optimism in unstable systems. | Realist Irony: Reveals the gap between material conditions and delusional social faith—an echo of economic realism. |
| 10 | “Patriot renowned… opportunely found” | Concluding lines summarizing Tom Collins as a tool of convenient morality. | New Historicist Perspective: Links the text to its 1890s socio-political milieu, showing how literature reflects and mocks colonial anxieties. |
Suggested Readings: “TOM COLLINS” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
- Paterson, A. B. The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses. Sydney: Angus & Robertson, 1895.
- Buckridge, Patrick. “The History of Reading in Australia.” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Literature. August 28, 2018. Oxford University Press. Date of access 11 Nov. 2025, https://oxfordre.com/literature/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190201098.001.0001/acrefore-9780190201098-e-570 Academic Articles
- “Tom Collins — A B ‘Banjo’ Paterson.” The Australian Poetry Library, University of Sydney, https://www.poemhunter.com/a-b-banjo-paterson/ebooks/?ebook=0&filename=andrew_barton_paterson_2012_9.pdf