Symbols and motifs

Symbols

The rabbit-proof fence

The rabbit-proof fence is a powerful symbol in the film of the same name directed by Phillip Noyce. The fence becomes a guiding landmark and a symbol of hope as Molly and the other two girls embark on their journey back to Jigalong, defying the oppressive system that seeks to assimilate them. Rather than separating the girls from their home, the fence helps to lead them back. In this way, the rabbit-proof fence represents freedom and escape for Molly, Daisy, and Gracie.

The fence also symbolizes the Aboriginal people's resilience and determination to preserve their cultural heritage and keep their community. It represents the deep connection they have to the land and their unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. Just as the fence stretches across vast distances, Molly's journey along the fence mirrors her and her companions' connection to their Aboriginal roots and community and their quest to maintain their cultural identity.

At the same time, the fence also becomes a symbol of the oppressive racial attitudes of the time. Just as the white colonizers built the fence to keep out the rabbits from their cultivated fields, they also attempt to limit the freedom of Aboriginal people and to con...