Essay Questions

How does the reader recognize that the wife is distressed?

Throughout the story, the reader comes across the wife's soliloquies which show the extent to which she is pained as a single mother. All four children are raised by her because their father is dead. Making matters worse, the family is living in absolute poverty implying that it is even harder to attain the basic needs. Despite these challenges, the wife is optimistic that she is going to overcome her troubles. The wife's monologues also reveal that she is protective and ready to die for her family.

Which theme is the most evident in The Drover’s Wife (Play) by Leah Purcell?

The family in context does not have a father and the four children have to rely on their poor mother. Therefore, the theme of poverty is prevalent because the family does not have a decent home. The family’s house is located in a bush where it is exposed to dangers from snakes and other treacherous creatures. The mother is not employed and she has to do everything within her power to ensure that she puts food on the table. Leah Purcell is using Dove's wife's family to illustrate the difficulties fatherless families are going through in the world.

Why is Dove's wife's family living in fear?

The family's house is situated in a bush that is invested by snakes. One day, a child sees a snake and starts to shout for help. The mother hurriedly comes out to rescue the child but the snake vanishes into the bush. Since that day, the family lives in fear thinking that the serpent might find its way into the house. The mother is so scared that the serpent might kill one of her children. Everyone in the house is having bad dreams that the snake might kill someone.