A Clear Demonstration of Gender Inequality in "The Drover’s Wife" Anonymous 11th Grade

The Drover’s Wife, a classic Australian short story, was written from somewhat feminist perspective by Henry Lawson in 1892. Lawson demonstrates a nuanced view of gender role through recounting the story of a bush woman with her four children in an isolated hut chronologically. Criticism of typical Australian stereotype and sympathy of women permeates the whole story through the characters and plot. The Drover’s Wife emphasizes the existence of disparity, redefinition and conflict between men and women in modern Australian society.

Sexism is a common issue in society which largely affects females, and Lawson explores the discrimination in the levels of respect, employment opportunities and legal rights. In the story, the drover’s wife lives with sexual threats like domestic violence and sexual harassment. This reveals the disrespect men have for women which are still happening every day even in modern society. Nearly 17% of women have experienced partner violence while men with only 6% in Australia. (Personal Safety Survey, 2017) The drover takes all the contributions that his wife makes to the family for granted, whereas this is supposed to be the responsibility of both of them. This explores the inequality for the role of...