During the years 1910 and 1970 up to 100,000 Aboriginal children were taken forcibly from their families by police or welfare officers, because of a Federal and State Government edict. The main motive was to ‘assimilate’ Aboriginal children into European society over one or two generations by denying and destroying their Aboriginality.
This issue is also discussed in the novel “Rabbit-Proof Fence” by Doris Pilkington, which tells a story about three girls who were also uprooted from their community and taken to a state settlement about 1,500 miles away from their home. In this reality-based story the girls escaped from their internment camp and tried to run back home by following the rabbit-proof fence.
My term paper is divided into four chapters. In the first one a short outline of British colonisation in Australia and its impacts on the Aborigines will be given. The second chapter is about the mentioned book and its author and the third part of this term paper analyses some extracts from Doris Pilkington’s novel and proves their verity with historical documents until it finally comes to its conclusion in the last chapter which tells us something about the current situation of the Aborigines and the reactions of the Australian government.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 British colonisation in Australia and its impacts on the Aborigines
- 2.1 British rule
- 2.2 The "Half-Caste" Problem and the "Stolen Generations"
- 3 "Rabbit-Proof Fence" - the book
- 3.1 The author and an introduction of the book
- 3.2 Abstract of the story
- 3.3 The importance of the book/Noyce's film
- 4 Selected scenes from the book/film and where they meet reality
- 4.1 The takeaway
- 4.2 The living conditions
- 4.3 The punishment
- 4.4 The selection
- 5 Conclusion
- 5.1 Summary
- 5.2 Reactions of the Australian Government and other institutions
- 5.3 The current situation of the Aborigines
- 5.4 The Future “Dreamtime”
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to explore the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal children in Australia during the 20th century, using Doris Pilkington's novel "Rabbit-Proof Fence" as a case study. It examines the impact of British colonization on Aboriginal Australians, focusing on the forced removal of children from their families and the lasting consequences of this policy.
- British colonization and its devastating effects on Aboriginal Australians.
- The "Stolen Generations" and the forced assimilation policies.
- The narrative of "Rabbit-Proof Fence" and its reflection of historical realities.
- The ongoing impact of past injustices on Aboriginal communities.
- The Australian government's response and current situation of Aboriginal people.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of the forced removal of Aboriginal children in Australia, referencing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's 2008 apology. It highlights the novel "Rabbit-Proof Fence" as a key example and briefly explains the historical context of the rabbit-proof fence itself, setting the stage for the subsequent analysis of British colonization's impact and the narrative of the book.
2 British colonisation in Australia and its impacts on the Aborigines: This chapter details the beginning of British colonization in Australia, starting with Captain Cook's claim of the land in 1770. It describes the initial interactions between the British and Aboriginal people, highlighting how friendly relations deteriorated due to the British taking land and resources, eventually leading to conflict. The chapter also discusses Governor Lachlan Macquarie's attempts to control and assimilate Aboriginal people into European society through imposed laws and education, ultimately failing due to the resistance of the Aboriginal population.
3 "Rabbit-Proof Fence" - the book: This chapter provides an overview of Doris Pilkington’s novel "Rabbit-Proof Fence," focusing on the author and a summary of the story, highlighting its significance. The analysis will likely connect the book's narrative to the historical context established in previous chapters, setting the ground for the following analysis of specific scenes in the novel.
4 Selected scenes from the book/film and where they meet reality: This section delves into specific scenes from "Rabbit-Proof Fence," comparing them to historical evidence. The analysis likely covers aspects such as the girls' escape, their living conditions during their journey, the punishments inflicted on Aboriginal people, and the process of selection and removal of children. The analysis would connect these events to the broader themes of forced assimilation and the trauma inflicted upon Aboriginal families.
Keywords
Australian Aborigines, British colonization, Stolen Generations, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Doris Pilkington, forced assimilation, Indigenous rights, cultural genocide, historical injustice, Australian government apology.
Rabbit-Proof Fence: A Term Paper Preview - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main topic of this term paper?
This term paper examines the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal children in Australia during the 20th century, focusing on the forced removal of children from their families and the lasting consequences of this policy. It uses Doris Pilkington's novel "Rabbit-Proof Fence" as a central case study.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the devastating effects of British colonization on Aboriginal Australians; the "Stolen Generations" and forced assimilation policies; the narrative of "Rabbit-Proof Fence" and its reflection of historical realities; the ongoing impact of past injustices on Aboriginal communities; and the Australian government's response and the current situation of Aboriginal people.
What is the structure of the term paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction, setting the context and highlighting the importance of "Rabbit-Proof Fence." Chapter 2 details the history of British colonization in Australia and its impact on Aboriginal people. Chapter 3 provides an overview of Doris Pilkington's novel, including a summary and its significance. Chapter 4 analyzes selected scenes from the book and film, comparing them to historical realities. Finally, Chapter 5 offers a conclusion summarizing the key findings and discussing the current situation and future prospects for Aboriginal Australians.
What specific aspects of "Rabbit-Proof Fence" are analyzed?
The paper analyzes specific scenes from "Rabbit-Proof Fence" to illustrate the historical realities of the Stolen Generations. This includes examining the girls' escape, their living conditions, the punishments they faced, and the selection process for removal of children from their families. The analysis connects these scenes to the broader themes of forced assimilation and the trauma inflicted upon Aboriginal families.
What is the role of the rabbit-proof fence in the paper?
The rabbit-proof fence serves as both a literal and metaphorical element. Literally, it's the route the girls take in their escape. Metaphorically, it represents the barriers and obstacles faced by Aboriginal people in their struggle against colonization and assimilation.
What is the significance of the Australian government's apology?
The 2008 apology by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is mentioned in the introduction as a significant acknowledgment of past injustices. The paper likely discusses the apology's impact and its limitations in addressing the ongoing challenges faced by Aboriginal communities.
What are the key takeaways from the paper?
The paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical and ongoing impact of British colonization and forced assimilation policies on Aboriginal Australians. It uses "Rabbit-Proof Fence" to illustrate the human cost of these policies and highlight the need for continued reconciliation and social justice.
What are the keywords associated with this term paper?
Key words include: Australian Aborigines, British colonization, Stolen Generations, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Doris Pilkington, forced assimilation, Indigenous rights, cultural genocide, historical injustice, Australian government apology.
- Quote paper
- Benjamin Roßkopf (Author), 2009, “Rabbit-Proof Fence” as an example of how Australian Aborigines were treated by the British colonial power, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/282790
