The Represantation of Negative Masculinity through Characterisation Anonymous 12th Grade

Leah Purcell’s play “The Drover’s Wife” is a post-colonial and feminist redefining of Henry Lawson’s short story of the same name. The play is centered around the hardships that Molly encounters at the time she is solely responsible for raising her four children in the bush. Although Molly is the protagonist in the play, Purcell perpetuates a nuanced view of patriarchy and misogyny throughout the play by constructing McNealy, Joe, Parsen, and McPharlen. The characterizations in “The Drover’s Wife” is crucial to the audiences’ understanding of negative masculinity in the bush. Purcell's version is the reflection of modern society, demonstrating the consequences when a society is dominating by patriarchy and misogyny.

At the beginning of the play, Purcell first introduces McNealy as a swagman to the audience. He intrudes into Molly’s place after realizing her husband is absent. He treats Molly politely but he treats Yadaka in an opposite way which is observed through his aggressive languages “N*ggers” and “Savage b*stards”. The way he talks not only divulges his experiences of taking the advantages of isolating women but also his racism. The conversation between McNealy and Molly undeniably reveals McNealy’s unusual sexual...