'This article explores Goa-Gunggari-Wakka Wakka Murri artist Leah Purcell’s recent multigenre project, “The Legend of Molly Johnson”. Beginning as an adaptation of Henry Lawson’s “The Drover’s Wife”, the project fundamentally defamiliarises and subverts Lawson’s story from the standpoint of an Aboriginal woman. Evolving across different genres—from play to novel and film—Purcell’s project is a unique case of adaptation, identity-making and transmedia world-building. This article considers Purcell’s adaptations as a form of franchise storytelling, and central to her cultural and political interventions is the figure of Molly Johnson. As an iconic Aboriginal heroine, Molly is empowered by her deep connection with Country and her role as a mother. Central to the narrative is the theme of maternalism, which allows Purcell to weave her personal experiences and family history into the character of Molly, who encapsulates the strength and resilience of generations of Aboriginal women. Purcell’s “Drover’s Wife” project also mounts an intersectional critique of mainstream White feminism through the juxtaposition of Molly and Louisa Clintoff, a character introduced in the novel and film versions.' (Publication abstract)
