The Drover's Wife by Henry Lawson
A woman lives on a remote station with her husband and children. She manages the household and cares for the family while her husband works as a drover. The story explores themes of isolation, hardship, and resilience in the face of adversity.
By Henry Lawson · First published 1887 · Genre: Realism, Short Story, Australian Literature · 3,824 words
First lines
The two-roomed house is built of round timber, slabs, and stringy-bark, and floored with split slabs. A big bark kitchen standing at one end is larger than the house itself, veranda included.
Bush all round -- bush with no horizon, for the country is flat. No ranges in the distance. The bush consists of stunted, rotten native apple-trees. No undergrowth. Nothing to relieve the eye save the darker green of a few she-oaks which are sighing above the narrow, almost waterless creek. Nineteen miles to the nearest sign of civilization -- a shanty on the main road.
What this Textopian page supports
The Drover's Wife is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Lawson, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Henry Lawson
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realism, Short Story, Australian Literature, Feminist Literature, Adventure
- Length: 3,824 words
- Structure: 1 section, 59 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Drover's Wife by Henry Lawson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Drover's Wife?
- How does this short story by Henry Lawson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Realism first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Realism — The narrative provides a detailed and unembellished depiction of the harsh realities of life in the Australian bush, focusing on the daily struggles and resilience of the drover's wife.
- Short Story — The work is structured as a concise narrative focusing on a single incident in the life of the drover's wife, typical of the short story format.
- Australian Literature — The setting, characters, and themes are deeply rooted in the Australian landscape and culture, reflecting the unique challenges of rural life in Australia.
- Feminist Literature — The story highlights the strength and independence of the drover's wife, showcasing her ability to manage and protect her family in the absence of her husband, challenging traditional gender roles.
Tags
Australian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Regional Fiction · Marriage · Family Life · Rural Setting · Poverty · Hardship · Survival · Independence · Female Protagonist