Visual Language in Henry Lawson's Short Stories and Emma Freeman's Short Film 
Compare the ways the distinctively visual is created in your prescribed text and two other related texts.
Visuals are distinctive, not because it only appeals to a specific audience but because they convey a universal concept and this is clearly shown in Henry Lawson’s “Drover’s Wife” and “In a dry season”, along with related text, “Lamb” by Emma Freeman. The two short stories and short film convey the universal principle of persistence, hardship, and mateship and a subtle but prevalent emphasis on deceit through appearance to ensure survival in an unforgiving and harsh environment.
In ‘The drover’s wife’ Lawson creates powerful images by employing distinctively visual language that enables the responder to feel the hardships that others face. Concrete sensory description is effectively used to create a beautiful image when The Drover’s wife sits to watch the snake all night. ‘A green sapling club laid in readiness on the dresser by her side, together with her sewing basket and copy of the young ladies journal.’ The journal is symbolic of the approach she takes in not letting the bush take away her femininity. Juxtaposing to this, the club is symbolic of what she needs to do, it displays her innovative ways and her ability to be content with her lifestyle. The sewing basket acts as a ‘bridge’ between the two as it represents both sides of the woman. Images of a resourceful, cooperative and woman of sophistication are conjured up in the responders mind. One is able establish a relationship of commendation with the drover’s wife whilst despising the Australian Bush for what it puts her through.
The establishment of images through the use of distinctively visual language in Lawson’s ‘In a dry season’ allows the responder to connect with both the personas and their environment. The first word ‘draw’ is indicative of what Lawson has anticipated for the rest of the pure sketch. ’a wire fence and a few ragged gums…Then you’ll have the bush’. This effective use of a
Visuals are distinctive, not because it only appeals to a specific audience but because they convey a universal concept and this is clearly shown in Henry Lawson’s “Drover’s Wife” and “In a dry season”, along with related text, “Lamb” by Emma Freeman. The two short stories and short film convey the universal principle of persistence, hardship, and mateship and a subtle but prevalent emphasis on deceit through appearance to ensure survival in an unforgiving and harsh environment.
In ‘The drover’s wife’ Lawson creates powerful images by employing distinctively visual language that enables the responder to feel the hardships that others face. Concrete sensory description is effectively used to create a beautiful image when The Drover’s wife sits to watch the snake all night. ‘A green sapling club laid in readiness on the dresser by her side, together with her sewing basket and copy of the young ladies journal.’ The journal is symbolic of the approach she takes in not letting the bush take away her femininity. Juxtaposing to this, the club is symbolic of what she needs to do, it displays her innovative ways and her ability to be content with her lifestyle. The sewing basket acts as a ‘bridge’ between the two as it represents both sides of the woman. Images of a resourceful, cooperative and woman of sophistication are conjured up in the responders mind. One is able establish a relationship of commendation with the drover’s wife whilst despising the Australian Bush for what it puts her through.
The establishment of images through the use of distinctively visual language in Lawson’s ‘In a dry season’ allows the responder to connect with both the personas and their environment. The first word ‘draw’ is indicative of what Lawson has anticipated for the rest of the pure sketch. ’a wire fence and a few ragged gums…Then you’ll have the bush’. This effective use of a