Facultad de Filosofía y Letras

Departamento de Filología Inglesa, Francesa y Alemana

INTRODUCCIÓN CULTURAL AL MUNDO ANGLÓFONO

SEMINAR 1: Educating the Other:

Rabbit-Proof Fence
https://ww6.0123movie.net/movie/rabbit-proof-fence-20709.html
‘Now, what is to happen to [half-caste children]? Are we to allow the creation of an
unwanted third race? Should the coloureds be encouraged to go back to the black or
should they be advanced to white status and be absorbed in the white population? ...
Here is the answer: three generations half-blood grandmother, quadroon daughter,
octoroon grandson. Now, as you can see in the third generation, or third cross, no trace
of native origin is apparent. The continuing infiltration of white blood finally stamps out
the black colour. The Aboriginal has simply been bred out.’

‘Hundreds of half-caste children have been gathered up and brought here [the Moore
River settlement] to be given the benefit of everything our culture has to offer. For if we
are to fit and train such children for the future, they cannot be left as they are; and in
spite of himself the native must be helped.’

Kenneth Branagh as Auber Octavius Neville

General themes:
- The various meanings of the fence: The white supremacy that Europeans had
made them believe that they were at a superior status and thought that the
Aboriginals didn’t belong in their society that’s why they built the wall, to send
this message of superiority.
To keep animals, especially rabbits, out of their territory and their farming areas.
They wanted to show that they had the power to change the landscape as they
pleased.
- The role of English: The narration of the movie begins in the Aboriginals native
tongue from the Jigalong, a metaphor for life before colonialism, after which
English is imposed by settlers in an effort to eradicate the languages, customs,
and culture of the Aboriginal people.
- The Australian government’s view and treatment of Aborigines: They limited
their lives and rights, preventing them from being released or escaping from that
situation of slavery.

1’ 30’’ – 1’ 50”: How does the arrival of the white fence-builders affect the Jigalong
community? Why do the Aboriginals keep going to the storehouse?
White people made a storehouse at the Jigalong, brought clothes and other things like
flour, tobacco, tea (that’s why they keep going to the storehouse) and gave it to them on
ration day. They also built the world's largest fence to keep rabbits, and animals in
general, out of the west.

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 Facultad de Filosofía y Letras
Departamento de Filología Inglesa, Francesa y Alemana
INTRODUCCIÓN CULTURAL AL MUNDO ANGLÓFONO

5’ 35”: What is A. O. Neville’s job title, and his duties? What does it reveal about the
Australian government’s view of the Aborigines?
He was a chief protector of aborigines. He has the power to remove any Aboriginal child
from their home, signed the orders to relocate the aboriginal kids into re-education
camps and decided everything about the aborigines. The government sees them as if they
were not human beings and had the right to decide on their lives and limit their rights.

11’ 55’’: Evaluate Neville’s plans to prevent the creation of an ‘unwanted third race’. Why
is he explaining this plan to an audience of well-dressed, tea-drinking ladies?
The plan was to eliminate the aboriginal race and the half-caste and “make” them whiter
in each generation. This plan could be successful in the third generation when the
continuing infiltration of white blood finally “stamps out” the black colour. Because the
Aboriginal kids will be servants so this plan might interest these ladies.

13’ 25’’: Note the function of the Moore River Settlement. What jobs were half-caste
children being trained for?
The Moore River Settlement was an institution where the children were taken when
colonizers separate them from their families. The children were trained as domestic
servants and farm labor. Europeans made them learn the white Australian traditions,
culture and language.

15’ 20” -20’ 40”: Evaluate Moore River rules about daily routines, religion and language,
and the teachers’ style of discipline.
Their daily routine was so strict. The nuns are unforgiving and brutal with the children,
utilizing violence against them as a way of discipline. The children ought to do the chores
such as make the bed, sew. The older ones have to pay attention to the more youthful
ones, they must pray (Christian religion) and are obliged to talk in English.

a. 19’ 20”: Evaluate the attitude of the black caretaker towards the English language
and enforcement of Moore River rules.
He enforced the rules and is power in a violent way. They have manipulated him to think
like them and assimilate the importance of leaving his roots behind and obeying the
orders of the white Australians.
b. 20’ 35”: Food for thought. Why do you think this is Neville’s favourite song?
It is the official state song of Florida. It’s a racist song.
I think is his favorite song because the “pro-slavery” and racist connotations like “the
missing of the plantations”. It’s an apology for slavery.

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 Facultad de Filosofía y Letras
Departamento de Filología Inglesa, Francesa y Alemana
INTRODUCCIÓN CULTURAL AL MUNDO ANGLÓFONO

c. 21’ 40”: What is the connection between skin colour and educational prospects
within the system?

The ones with lighter skin had access to go to school, had a proper education and be
chosen for adoption so they can fit with the white Australian population. Neville wants
them to “breed out” the aboriginal blood better.

41’ 08”: What are Neville and the Police Inspector arguing about?

They’re contending since Neville’s division doesn’t have the money to pay for the research
party. The budget isn't sufficient to cover it and therefor he inquires the Police Inspector
to utilize his men to look for the young ladies. The police inspector did not agree at first,
but he finally ended up complying with Neville's orders.

44’ 45”: Why does Molly decide to speak? What is the new meaning of the fence?

Because the woman mentioned the fence, the same fence that was close to her home so
that spike her interest as it could bring them home. It gives her the idea to follow the fence
to go home. Also, the woman was good with them, given them food and clothes so she
decides is ok to talk with her.
The fence now is a connexion with her home, like a life line for her. It is also implied when
we see how her mother touch the fence at the same time as her. That scene shows us the
connexion.

48’ 33”: Evaluate Neville’s reaction on discovering Molly’s plan. What ‘lesson’ does he
extract from it?

He is surprised of their cleverness of following the fence to get home because he thought
Aborigines were like “Neolithic” people, undeveloped and savages. But he thinks of
himself as superior than them so he thought I would be easy to caught them, like he is
one step ahead of the girls.

52’ 49”: Compare the experience of the former Moore River girl with these testimonies.
They all were abused, ripped of their home and family to take them to institutions that
were like jails and were treated as “inmates” and 'like bullocks in a paddock' as Netta one
of the survivors says. They all have scars impossible of heal and memories of that time
impossible to forget. The coping mechanism to bear their suffering usually are drugs,
alcohol, medication and in the worst cases, suicide. The majority of the children taken
were renamed and lost all connexion to their families becoming difficult for them to find
their mothers years later.

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 Facultad de Filosofía y Letras
Departamento de Filología Inglesa, Francesa y Alemana
INTRODUCCIÓN CULTURAL AL MUNDO ANGLÓFONO

1h 01’: Note the various reasons why Neville is concerned to find the girls.

He is fearful of the problem of “the third race” and is angry because he doesn’t want his
plan of “breeding out” the Aboriginal blood be jeopardized. He feels ridiculed and
outsmarted by the girls because they couldn’t catch them. He feels like his public image
and the Department reputation are suffering “looking like fools”, also the chase of the girls
is costing them a lot of money. He tries to trick them by saying that one girl’ s mother is in
another city so they change their route and don’t go into a harder terrain, where the
policemen don’t suffer.

1h 18’: What is the ‘women’s business’? What does it reveal about Western
understanding of Aboriginal culture?

The “women business” are the noises and singing they are doing. For Western people is a
nonsense and they don’t understand why they do it or the meaning behind because they
are not interested in learning it. They see it as something this underdeveloped people do,
like the Aborigines were crazy and couldn’t expect nothing more of them. But the reality
is that the noises the women were making was a call to the girls to bring them home.

1h 23’ 40”: Why is Neville suspending the search for the girls? How does he feel about it?

They don’t have enough money to go after them, but he feels that he would be able to get
them some time in the future, and still thinks that he is in a sort of battle with the girls. He
feels that he is trying to protect the Aboriginal people from themselves

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 Facultad de Filosofía y Letras
Departamento de Filología Inglesa, Francesa y Alemana
INTRODUCCIÓN CULTURAL AL MUNDO ANGLÓFONO

SEMINAR 1 TASK: DEBATE

QUESTIONS
You MUST hand in a word-processed copy of the task at the end of the class. NO LATE
SUBMISSIONS will be accepted under any circumstances.

POLICY ON PLAGIARISM
Students are reminded that copy-paste and close paraphrasing of sources, with or
without bibliographical references, constitutes plagiarism and will result in a
failing grade for the whole ICMA subject.

1. Should the Australian government make it a priority to foster native

languages and cultures? Why/why not?

Yes, it should be a priority for them because it is the history of their country.
After the genocide committed by the British, protecting the culture of the
natives is the least they can do to compensate for the suffering caused.

The Aboriginals are the original habitants of Australia and therefore their
history is part of Australia's history, even more significant than that created
by white Australians. It is important that it is not erased, apart from being a
sign of respect, to prevent this situation from happening again in the future.
We must not fall into the mistakes of the past.

To sum up, the government's proposal is totally accurate due to the need to
protect the culture and language of natives. It is also a good way to apologise
and show that their repentance is not only words but also acts.

2. Should the Aboriginal culture be taught in English-language schools to non-

native children?

Aboriginal culture should definitely be taught.

In schools, teaching about the dominant culture of the country in question is
always prioritised, and minorities are left in the background. It is very
important for children to learn about the diversity of cultures and languages to
avoid discrimination and racism, among other social problems.

Children grow up having a more open mind, which makes them more tolerant.
Diversity is a very important point to create a society with a pleasant
environment in which natives feel welcomed and respected, like any other
human being.

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 Facultad de Filosofía y Letras
Departamento de Filología Inglesa, Francesa y Alemana
INTRODUCCIÓN CULTURAL AL MUNDO ANGLÓFONO

3. Should Australian Aborigines be provided for in the same way as other

disadvantaged minorities (e.g., Asian immigrants), or are they entitled to
special attention?

I don't think the solution is to give them special treatment. The Aboriginals,
like many other cultures, have suffered the laws and orders of the colonizers
in their own land. They should be treated in the same way as the rest of the
population.

But some people, especially upper classes, think that they should not be
treated with the equality they deserve since even today they continue to be
considered inferior. Society should be made aware of the importance of
equality and respect, regardless of ethnicity.

Likewise, even if they do not have a special treatment, it is advisable to help

these communities since many have suffered too much.

4. Considering emotional, educational and economic factors, is it better for

Aboriginal children to be educated in their own native languages, or in English?

They should be educated in both languages. In his native language because it

is part of his identity and culture and that should be protected.

On the other hand, English is the language spoken by white Australians and
speaking it allows them to be more integrated into society and be able to
access, for example, more jobs. In addition, English is a language spoken all
over the world and with which people normally communicate with people
from other countries.

In Spain we have the perfect example of this topic. In autonomous

communities such as Catalonia, Galicia or the Basque Country, Spanish and the
language of each of them are taught, which makes them bilingual, improves
their ease of learning languages and gives them a sense of identity and
culture.