What are the major themes of women’s writing in Australia? Discuss with examples

The story ‘Squeaker’s Mate’, for instance, tells of the poverty o bush life and the cruelty of Squeaker (the man) to his mate (the woman). The title of the story portrays a male-centred social environment wherein the woman’s identity revolves around her social relationship with the Squeaker. It is also an implied criticism of the male centred cultural vision of ‘mateship’. This discursive bias extends along the realm of work as well.

However, when a tree falls on the woman, breaking her back, the Squeaker’s cruelty towards his mate reaches new proportions. But the woman whose name, Mary, we learn only towards the end of the story, despite her immobility, has her revenge. It is evident that Mary knows precisely her powers and also the mind of her oppressor. Once disabled, she knows, too, that waiting in silence is her most powerful weapon. She finally does demonstrate this power at the end of this extraordinary story.