Rabbit-Proof Fence

In the film ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ Directed by Phillip Noyce, an important character was Molly (Older sister). This film is about how Christianity significantly changed the Aboriginal culture in Australia. Three young Aboriginal girls, Molly, Daisy and Grace, were forcefully taken into the Catholic faith. The Government took these girls, along with many other Aboriginals to Moore River Resource where they were forced to learn the Catholic ways, morals, messages and life. Aboriginals are forced to leave behind their cultural origin and symbol within Aboriginal Culture and follow the ways and catholic culture of the Catholic Church. Aboriginal forcefully taken from their parents, taken to a Christian conversion camp, where they are trained to be white-British people. With the idea that it is better for them. The three sisters didn’t wish for this to happen they escaped from Moore River Resource Camp. Then christen officials go on a manhunt looking for the three sisters. Molly is the oldest of all three sisters (14 years old). Molly was important because she was a fantastic leader, extremely brave, caring, and resilient.^[a]

Firstly, Molly was important because she was caring and extremely brave. For example, Grave and her siblings were approached by an abnormal man posing to be good and willing to give helpful advice to escape. He recommended that they go to the Train station and get a train back home because it would be the safest and quickest way to get back home. Gracie believed the man and took his advice, her other siblings disagreed. Molly tried to discouraged Gracie, by saying to Gracie “Don’t listen to him, come on Graice...”. Gracie wanted to go to the train station, Molly and Dasiy didn’t, they wanted to go down the rabbit fence. Gracie and Dasiy/Molly started to walk in opposite directions hesitantly. They hesitantly spit up and went both ways. All three sisters were heartbroken they all worried about each other. This shows us the strong relationship and bond between the siblings.

Secondly, Molly, was important because she was a fantastic leader. For example, after spiting up Molly and Dasiy decided to go to the train station where Gracie was. To find and see if Gracie was ok. Molly and Dasiy walked up near the train station and saw a motor vehicle with a man from the Catholic Church inside. Molly saw trouble and she instructed Graice to run to them. This shows us Molly’s fantastic leadership, she stayed calm and instructed Graice at the worst time of her life. This made me think about the impacts on their lives after the Catholic faith was introduced into Aboriginals and how would their life be if this didn’t happen.

Lastly, Molly was important because she was Brave and Resilient. For example, when Molly and her sisters went back to Moore River Resource Camp. They hid in the bush near the washing line, Moodoo’s Danuther noticed them hiding and walked towards them, they stole some socks from the washing line and ran. It had gotten dark Moodoo’s daughter snuck into Moodo’s daughter bedroom to sleep. Then a Moore River Catholic Officer came into the bedroom and saw the sisters in hiding in the bed. This shows us the impact of the introduction of the Catholic faith into their lives. This made me think about the Catholic faith and how they thought the Catholic was the best way.

In conclusion, the Catholic faith was introduced to Aboriginal’s and greatly impacted their lives. There were many positive and negative impacts on the three sisters. Many strong and weak relationships and bonds were seen through this movie. The Rabbit-Proof Fence movie gives a clear insight into life as an aboriginal in Australia in the 1800s-1900s.