Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how the novel "Rabbit Proof Fence" by Doris Pilkington paints an intimate portrait of the remarkable journey of Molly, Daisy and Gracie and how the policy of forced separation of 'half caste' children had a profound impact on the Aboriginal community as a whole for generations. It looks at how through Molly, Daisy and Gracie, Doris Pilkington creates a story that analyses and separates issues such as the Aborigine's relationship with the land and the incredibly deep sense of accomplishment of returning home, the spiritual power within the family and the jarring sense of injustice of the children's removal. This paper contains an annotated bibliography.

From the Paper:

"Rabbit Proof Fence expresses the values and attitudes we associate with respect and dignity. This is triggered by the unjust policy enforced by the government during the 1930's and the mistreatment of the Aboriginal people. Through Molly, Daisy and Gracie, Doris Pilkington creates a story that analyses and separates issues such as the Aborigine's relationship with the land and the incredibly deep sense of accomplishment of returning home, the spiritual power within the family and the jarring sense of injustice of the children's removal. Rabbit Proof Fence represents the peaks and valleys of life, and how some things are unfair and out of our control. Molly's journey home to Jigalong represents her fight against what we now consider racism. The unfairness is clearly shown when the girls are taken from their mother in a police car with saddened expressions on their faces."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fourmile, H 1989, 'Who Owns the Past?: Aborigines as Captives of the Archives', Aboriginal History, vol. 13, pp. 1-8, retrieved 2nd December 2009, Informit.
• Goodall, H 1990, 'Land in our Own Country: The Aboriginal Land Rights Movement in South-eastern Australia', Aboriginal History, vol. 14, pp. 1-24, retrieved 1st December 2009, Informit
• Read, P 2002, 'Stolen Generations, the Historian and the Court Room', Aboriginal History, vol. 26, pp. 51-61, retrieved 2nd December 2009, Informit.
• Stanner, W 1977, 'The History of Indifference Thus Begins', Aboriginal History, vol. 1, pp. 3-26, retrieved 1st December 2009, Informit.

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