Final Test Writing Prompt
In the selected excerpt from Alf Taylor’s “The Woolpickers,” two Australian-born lower
class men are returning home from their trip to a neighboring farm to find unused wool.
After a long, successful day, the nephew (Bill) recalls what the farmer asked them. There
was a misunderstanding on Bill’s part when the farmer asked if they won the four million
lotto draw. The two discuss what they would do with four million dollars, believing it only
to be a fantasy. This relates to the larger piece it is taken from because the old, poor Uncle
Bernie returns home and discovers that his wife had bought the winning lottery ticket,
solving all their financial problems.
There are elements in this excerpt that reflect the culture (Australian lower class) that
created it. First, the dialogue that the two men speak with is realistic of the accent that
Australian’s possess. Another element is family. Uncle Bernie is a poor man, but does not
want much. When asked what he would do with such a large sum of money, Bernie simply
states that he would give three fourths of the money to his children. This shows the
selflessness that Bernie, along with many other Australians encapsulate. Bernie would then
take his wife to her most desired sight (presumably) and lastly, he would strive to meet
Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela is representative of another element in this excerpt,
freedom. The author of the excerpt, Alf Taylor, was a member of the Stolen Generation.