Module A
According to the module, what power does language hold in relation to individual and collective identity?
Language has the power to both reflect and shape individual and collective identity.
Who is Henry Lawson
Was an Australian writer and bush poet.
What natural threat drives much of the tension in the story?
A snake that enters the house.
How does Tommy the dog get involved with the explosive cartridge?
He picks it up in his mouth, thinking it’s a stick to play with.
What is the primary event around which the story revolves?
The burial of a stranger who drowned in a river
What are 3 things that students need to apply correctly when drafting and refining their texts?
Conventions of syntax, spelling, and grammar.
How did Lawson’s childhood in the bush influence his depiction of Australian life?
His experiences of poverty, isolation, and hardship shaped his realistic and often bleak portrayals of the bush.
What qualities of character does Lawson emphasise about the drover’s wife?
Strength, resilience, resourcefulness, and courage.
How does the bush setting contribute to the events of the story?
The isolation, danger, and resourcefulness of bush life make the men experiment with explosives for fishing
What impression does the narrator give of the townspeople?
That they are detached, pragmatic, and accustomed to death.
How does this module encourage a balance between personal reflection and critical analysis?
By asking students to consider how texts shape their own identity (reflection) while also critiquing how language shapes broader cultural perspectives (analysis).
Why is Lawson often called one of Australia’s “realist” writers?
Because he rejected romanticised depictions of the bush and instead presented it as harsh, isolating, and unforgiving
How does the story critique gender roles in colonial Australia?
By portraying a woman who must take on roles traditionally associated with men (protector, problem-solver), Lawson challenges gender expectations.
Why is Tommy described as a “big, foolish, good-natured pup”?
Because his playful innocence creates both comedy and danger throughout the story.
How is irony used in the story?
The deceased is buried with full union members, yet his life and identity are unknown, highlighting contrasts between ritual and anonymity.
Why is it important to investigate the forms, conventions, and language structures of texts when analysing identity and culture?
Because these textual features communicate ideas, values, and attitudes that shape perceptions of ourselves, other people, and cultural groups.
How does Lawson’s representation of ordinary Australians contribute to the development of national identity in literature?
He celebrated endurance, mateship, and resilience, which became defining features of Australian cultural identity
Identify the technique and explain - "As a girl she built the usual castles in the air; but all her girlish hopes and aspirations have long been dead"
Metaphor - implies that the drover's wife had fantasies and unrealistic dreams that have since vanished. Lawson represents the effects of living in the bush for women, showing that they made sacrifices, which have affected their identity.
Identify an example of colloquial language in the story and explain its effect.
Phrases like “a big, foolish, good-natured pup” create a casual, humorous, and distinctly Australian voice, making the story accessible and authentic.
Identify the technique and explain the effect - "The procession numbered fifteen, fourteen souls following the broken shell of a soul."
Metaphor - reinforcing emptiness and insignificance.
How can texts shape a sense of identity for both individuals and communities?
Texts can influence how people see themselves, affirm or challenge their cultural perspectives, and contribute to a shared sense of community identity.
How did Lawson’s plain, direct writing style reflect his purpose as an author?
His style mirrored the straightforward nature of bush life, allowing him to authentically give voice to ordinary Australians and critique social issues without embellishment.
How is irony present in the story, and what does it reveal about her life?
Despite her strength and heroism, her life is marked by monotony and hardship; the irony lies in her quiet, unacknowledged sacrifices.
What role does irony play in the story’s humour?
The men’s clever fishing scheme backfires disastrously, creating situational irony that underlines the unpredictability of bush life.
How does tone shift at the end of the story, if at all?
There may be a subtle reflective tone, highlighting mortality and the human tendency to ritualize even anonymous death.