Discuss the Symbolism and Motifs in the ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’. What Do They Represent and How Do They Contribute to the Story free essay sample

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 journey of three young girls, Molly, Gracie and Daisy who were taken from their mothers and moved to the Moore River Orphanage Settlement to be integrated into the white culture, forgetting about their history and background, and how they escape and find their way home. The use of symbolism and motifs such as the spirit bird, the rabbit proof fence and the umbilical cord together with film techniques and music illustrates the strong sense of community, hope, freedom and belonging and helps draw the audience into the film through the sense of vulnerability of the girls. The Spirit Bird, Molly’s totem, is both a major symbol and motif that is used through the entire film. We will write a custom essay sample on Discuss the Symbolism and Motifs in the ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’. What Do They Represent and How Do They Contribute to the Story? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It gives Molly the inspiration, determination, hope and a sense of connection between her and her homeland. The bird is used to portray the sense of freedom and a guide to help Molly through the difficult times on the journey home. It symbolises safety and protection after the children were taken away from their mother. It also symbolises the identity and faith of the Aboriginals. At the beginning of the film Molly’s mother, Maude, points to a bird flying overhead and says to Molly, â€Å"See that Bird? That’s a spirit bird; he will always look after you. † Throughout the film Noyce uses the eagle circling above the girls to show that they are in desperate need of protection. The bird is also seen in Molly’s flashback whilst at the Moore River Settlement, the use of a close up of her face in bed fading to an undershot of the eagle in the sky, brought back memories and is followed by a close up of Molly and Maude giving her the determination to escape and find their way home. Again, when the girls are struggling on their long journey home and they collapse, Noyce uses an extreme close up shot of Molly’s eyes as she hears the sound of the eagle, her eyes slowly open and then the film uses a low angle shot of the eagle flying above the girls in the sky. The audience senses their vulnerability and the challenge that lies ahead. This is followed by a high angle shot of Molly standing and looking at the eagle providing her with the inner strength to continue the journey home. As they continue, there is an aerial shot of trees, the sound of an eagle, an example of diegetic sound and the audience has a sense that the bird is guiding the girls home. The rabbit proof fence is the central motif. It runs from North to South of Western Australia and was built to keep rabbits away from farmland. It is very symbolic as when it was built it kept the Aboriginals in one place and therefore shows how they were restricted in their movement, unlike the freedom of the spirit bird. It symbolises the division between the Aboriginals and the Europeans. The girls are pictured as frightened rabbits trapped on the wrong side of the fence, the same feeling as the Aboriginal people felt. The audience follows the girls on their journey home. The vastness of the outback and the epic journey that the girls experienced highlighted by Noyce by the opening aerial shots and additional overhead shots that confirm their reliance on the fence to guide them home. 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 music, Noyce involved the audience well and captured their emotions. The use of the spirit bird, Molly’s totem to convey freedom, the fence to illustrate the division between Europeans and Aboriginals and the use of the fence as the unbroken umbilical cord between Molly and Maude guiding them home helped the audience become more aware of this terrible chapter in Australian history.