Follow The Rabbit-Proof Fence Analysis

Words: 966
Pages: 4

Indigenous Australians and their identities are a reflection of Australian history. The Aboriginals culture, connection with nature and traditions shape Australian society and shape a great love and respect for the land. Doris Pilkington’s Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence is a non-fiction biographic text about the Indigenous Australian’s identities pre colonisation, during colonisation, and post colonisation.
Indigenous lifestyle pre colonisation played a main part in influencing Australia’s history. In the non-fiction text Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence Pilkington gives readers an insight into how much the land was respected and treasured by the Aboriginal people, she also explains how traditional events were “tied up in the landscape and seasons.” The Aboriginals bond with the land is represented through their resourcefulness “The animal pelts were made into warm cloaks as protection against bitterly cold winter winds…the smaller were made into skin bags…used for carrying babies
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Pilkington explains how the first European Settlers arrived and invited Dayub (who is a leader of a tribe) to discuss giving the country an English name. Yet, due to the language barrier between the two parties the Aboriginals didn’t understand what the European settlers are saying, “He truly wished he understood the language. He turned to his kinsmen and told them “I don’t know what he is talking about.” As a result the English take the language barrier to their advantage and re-name the country. “I take it that we are all agreed and that I have your consent,' said Fremantle.” Therefore, stripping the Aboriginals of their identity as the owners of their own country, the Europeans have now officially declared the country theirs and have called it Australia. This is also marked as a historical event, as it was the day Australia was named and changed forever the Aboriginal’s