The Drover's Wife

This is a short story written by the Australian Henry Lawson. Some of the questions to analyse in class are: 1. What’s the house like? What does this imply? 2. How important is the “snake” episode in the story? Is Lawson concerned with the “snake” to convey the story or is this a mere excuse? 3. What’s her name? Why? 4. Analyse the last lines: “-“Mother, I won’t never go drovin’; blast me if I do!” And she hugs him to her worn-out breast and kisses him; and they sit thus together while the sickly daylight breaks over the bush.” (p. 26) 5. The story shows some of the thoughts that go through a bushwoman’s mind, explain what she’s thinking and why this may be important to someone who lives this kind of life. 6. Explore one moment which you find particularly dramatic and show how Lawson makes you feel so. 7. “She loves her children, but has no time to show it.” (p.25) Why? What does she do during the day and at night? 8. Add your coments about the story and the writer.