The five novels discussed here, all by Australian women novelists, all published post Second World War, and all of clear literary merit, have a further and closer bond. They offer what is essentially the same view of male-female relationships in which a radical depth is discovered within a very traditional, clearly conservative playing of sex roles.

Each novel sets forth a situation in which the initiative seems to lie effectively with the male. He is the creator of all the narrative uncertainty. The female is patient observer, the receptive one who waits, eagerly or fearfully, upon his next move. She plays Jane Eyre to his Mr Rochester. Yet, when the whole weave of action and response is examined up close, the situation is seen to lie quite the other way. In this nearer, more inner view, the female is active participant, as scrutiniser more than just observer, watching the male, but always intent upon seeing somewhat beyond him. By contrast the male, within her gaze, shows up, more and more, as one who is jerked about, swept along, pressured from within and without. Active comes to seem passive, passive active. The question arises — who is using whom and to just what end.