Historical Data and Policy
What is the rabbit-proof fence?
Long fences which kept rabbits and other agricultural pests from evading plantations.
Who escaped from Moore River Settlement?
Molly Craig, Daisy Kadibil and Gracie Craig.
What landmark do the girls follow to find their way home?
The rabbit-proof fence.
What are some of the major themes of the novel?
Family, connection to the Country, oppression, culture and identity, racism, etc.
What scenes does the movie adaptation add to dramatize itself that are only briefly mentioned in the book?
The tracking/chase by Constable Riggs.
What was the policy that created the Stolen Generations?
The Aborigines Act of 1905
How far did the girls walk to reach home?
About 1,500km.
Why is the journey dangerous for the girls?
They face extreme weather, hunger, unfamiliar places, and the constant threat of being captured again.
How does the novel present freedom as more than just physical escape?
Through cultural identity, connection to the country.
Is Moodoo a character in both versions?
No, his addition aimed to enhance the movie’s dramatisation while also questioning the Aboriginal people who worked alongside white officers.
What term describes the Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed from their families?
The Stolen Generations
Who’s the character whose leadership during the journey subverts colonial assumptions by demonstrating navigation skills, strategic silence, and kinship-based responsibility rather than individual heroism?
Molly Craig.
How does Indigenous knowledge of the land assist in the girls’ survival?
Their understanding of tracking and natural resources allows them to find food and water.
What does the rabbit-proof fence symbolise in the story?
Both a pathway home and the separation of Indigenous people from their land and culture.
How does Mrs Flanagan act towards the girls in both versions?
She helped them with food and clothes in both versions. However, in the book, she called the authorities to report the passage of the girls, thinking it was best for them.
Which was the main purpose of the Aboriginal Protection Act?
The Aboriginal Protection Act 1869 in Victoria allowed the removal of half-caste children from their families, beginning the assimilation process (forcing Western culture into the aborigines since they were considered inferior).
How does Gracie’s capture reinforce the dangers of colonial deception?
By being misled with promises of reunion with her mother, Gracie is recaptured, reinforcing a sense of false hope and trust.
What landmark did the girls go through to avoid detection after leaving Moore River?
The Gibson Desert.
How does the author explore the line between altruism and cruelty in the novel?
In the novel, the Australian government hides behind “altruism”, calling themselves “protectors” while forcibly removing children from their family and indoctrinating them into a culture that is not their own.
How does the novel provide historical context differently from the film?
The novel includes factual explanations and authorial commentary, while the movie provides visual storytelling to maintain emotional engagement.
How does the novel critique the idea of “protection” used to justify the Aboriginal policies?
The novel shows that “protection” was a form of control that caused long-term harm by enabling racism, cultural destruction, and family separation rather than genuine care.
In what ways is Molly portrayed as both a character and a symbol in the novel?
Molly represents individual resistance, showing her defiance against colonial authority, while contradicting the stereotypical expectations that portrayed Aboriginal people as passive, and taking later on, the role of a maternal figure to the other two girls.
Explain the symbolic significance of the rabbit-proof fence in relation to colonial control (how it symbolises both oppression and resistance)
By becoming a means for the girls’ as a pathway home, the fence goes from a colonial boundary into a symbol of Indigenous resilience.
How does the novel explore intergenerational trauma caused by the stolen generations?
The forced removal of children causes lasting emotional and cultural damage that affects families and communities across generations, which can be seen in the end of the novel where Molly’s own daughters were stolen, and she was taken back to Moore River again.
In comparison to the book, in which way does the movie lack in showing how these laws also affected the white counterparts of the girls’ parents?
In the book, Gracie’s white father, Alf Fields, also shows a deep sadness over his daughter’s legal kidnapping. Mentioning that even he couldn’t go against an officer of the Crown, risking being jailed for obstructing the course of justice.