Rabbit Proof Fence

Discuss the symbolism and motifs in the ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’. What do they represent and how do they contribute to the story?

The film ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ conveys the importance of family, belonging and country to the Aboriginal people and provides the audience with an insight of the division between the Europeans and the Aboriginal people. The Director, Philip Noyce displays these themes by the use of symbolism and motifs. Symbolism is the use of one object to represent a notion or other object, whereas a motif is the recurrence of an object, theme, and subject throughout the film. The ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ is based on a true story on how Aboriginal families were treated by politicians and government. It follows
The fence symbolises hope and the will to live, whenever we see it the hopeful music begins.
The fence is an important symbol in the film. It not only highlights the split between the European and Aboriginal culture, it represents a link between mother and daughter. Molly says, ‘Find that rabbit fence, we go home’ Daisy replies by saying, ‘then we see our mum.’ The fence is the umbilical cord connecting them to their mother. When the girls first see the fence, they run to it and grab it. Positive music is played in the film and drums roll. Cross cutting in the film shows that their mother is also holding the fence. It is a link between the two and it seems as if the vibrations travel up to their mum. During this scene there are close ups of their hands holding the fence. Here the fence is showing a link between the dangerous predicaments they find themselves in, to the safety of home. This symbolises the link between their lives before they were taken from their mothers and their determination to find that life again.
The film ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ illustrates the importance of family, belonging and country to the Aboriginal people. It has contributed to the cultural identity of Aboriginals and Australia as a country. Through clever use of symbolism, motifs, film techniques and