An Analysis of The Drovers Wife by Henry Lawson

The Drovers Wife: Archetype of Strength in Australian Literature The Drovers wife by Henry Lawson tells the tale of a strong bush woman who must fight incredible odds to survive. The Drovers Wife written by William Bail shares the same title and also tells the tale of a strong, independent woman, only with quite different results than Lawsons character. This essay will explore both of these women and will support the thesis that both represent archetypes of the strong, independent ideal of Australian women. Both Lawsons and Bails Drovers wives are separated from their husbands. Lawsons Drovers wife is separated from her husband through no choice of her own, but by the circumstances of their existence and what he must do to help them survive. Her husband has been gone for six months herding sheep and she is not certain if you will ever come home. She worries about him and is concerned, but her life is taken up entirely by her need to survive and to take care of their children. She hopes to see her husband again and hope that nothing bad has happen ed to him. Bails drovers wife has not seen her husband for 30 years and is separated from him by her own choice. She left a note saying that she was going to the store, but then never came back. She did not sign her note with her customary Love at the end, and has never bothered to call or show any concern for her husband or her children. This is a juxtaposition to Lawsons drovers wife who cares for her childrenShow MoreRelatedThe Themes of the Drover’s Wife1217 Words   |  5 PagesThe themes of the Drover’s Wife The short story, the drover’s wife portrays a strong and independent female in the bush. Her husband is out with sheep, leaving her alone with her four young children. She has to face many changes and difficulties in life all by herself. The story is told from the perspective of the woman and is mainly about the process of beating a snake and her recall of the hard past. Though the story is very short, it covers several themes. They are respectively equality, responsibility