ipl-logo

Review Of Shaun Tan's Book 'The Rabbits'

952 Words4 Pages

Throughout school I have learnt about the discrimination First Nations Peoples (FNP) have faced and much like the constellations of stars, it is never ending. Reality hit once I did some research for school and discovered the Beyond Blues study, Discrimination Against Indigenous Australians, which highlights the impact of racial discrimination on FNP. Australian youth, is this the society you want to grow up in? Together we can take a stance against racial prejudice in Australia and spread the constellations. Evidently, childrens’ picture book ‘The Rabbits’, written by John Marsden and drawn by Shaun Tan in 1998, explores the invasion of Marsden’s land by rabbits. The story is an allusion to the First Fleet, which occurred in 1788. 15 years …show more content…

Oliver parallels Marsden as it too takes the perspective of First Nations. The concept of colonialism covered in Olivers text is shown through the quote “We’re ancient and chained from the stains that remain.” Olivers’ metaphor discusses the impact of colonization, referring to Indigenous Australians’ as stained from the effects of genocide and assimilation, as well as signifying their long-lasting culture. Similarly, ‘The rabbits’ discusses the neglect of traditional way of life for First Nations, through the quote “They only know their own country.” Marsden represents neglect and erasure of FNP, showing the Eurocentric values the rabbits held. Along with this, Marsden also discusses the concept of environmental degradation through the quote “The land is bare and brown and the wind blows empty across the plains.” Throughout the book, the audience sees bright and saturated colours before the rabbits came, but as they slowly colonise the marsupials the colour scheme grows monochrome with greys. This visually impacts the us to feel sad for the marsupials as they see how FNP have been affected by

Show More
Related

Summary Of Jackie French's Nanberry

1016 Words | 5 Pages

In her book Nanberry, Jackie French portrays colonial life as a very confusing and perplexing time for both the Indigenous Australians and the White British Settlers, albeit in different ways. With the Indigenous Australians confused by the sudden invasion of the white settler (ghosts), and the British Settlers becoming confused by the new sights, smells and culture of ‘Sydney Cove’. Through the characters of Nanberry, Surgeon White and Bennelong, the viewer is shown just how confusing their life was at the time of the first settlement in Australia. Nanberry is one of the main characters in French’s book, and is a prime way through which she portrays colonial life as perplexing and confusing. Nanberry was born into, and partially raised by an Indigenous Australian family, however he was adopted by Surgeon White at the tender age of eight or nine.

Read More

Analysis Of Nanberry By Jackie French

1413 Words | 6 Pages

Nanberry by Jackie French outlines the attitudes and perceptions between the two diverse cultures of the indigenous Aborigines and the British during early contact in a manner of historical context. French portrays the initial impressions of the British from the perspective of a young Aboriginal boy; describing the incoming British as mysterious, unknown are creatures. The historical fiction gives insight that the early interactions between the two diverse cultures were approached with caution and curiosity, however no hostility. Nanberry provides insight on early interactions in an emotional and psychological level, of which promotes ideas of the different cultures attitudes and perceptions of each other. Written Primary Source: Vocabulary

Read More

The Rabbits Shaun Tan And John Marsden: An Analysis

118 Words | 1 Pages

The outcome of a discovery does not always have a positive outcome for all parties involved, whether it is a rediscovery of past knowledge or the uncovering of new information, both may serve to affirm or challenge beliefs, resulting in different ramifications for individuals and their worlds. The author and illustrator of allegorical picture book ‘The Rabbits’ Shaun Tan and John Marsden employs ideas of historical context relating to colonialism and the loss of culture and freedom that took place throughout the process, similarly to Shakespeare’s tragicomedy play ‘The Tempest’, where the exploitation of the character Caliban is repeatedly highlighted revealing the dystopic turn of events the native people would have experienced after the

Read More

Municipal Gum Essay

499 Words | 2 Pages

Personification is a powerful tool used by writers to help the reader understand what is being said. Since the invasion of Europeans in 1788, Indigenous Australians have struggled with displacement and loss of identity. This sentiment is fully examined in Municipal Gum presenting the view that all their traditions and culture have just faded away. Simile

Read More

Symbolism In The Graphic Novel 'The Rabbits'

846 Words | 4 Pages

Through the effective use of conventions, the graphic novel”The Rabbits” represents particular ideas about European colonization in Australia and Australian society. “The Rabbits” is a graphic novel depicting colonization in our country by using animals and indirect messages. It also uses color and symbolic features to direct messages to the reader. “Rabbit Proof Fence” shows us the realty of the stolen generation. It also dives it’s attention into the imposing of beliefs and ideals onto Aboriginal people.

Read More

The Rabbits By John Marsden Belonging

525 Words | 3 Pages

The Rabbits is a thought provoking picture book, written by John Marsden and illustrated by Shaun Tan. The book tells the story of Australia’s colonisation through colours, pictures and words. The book centres around two species, White Rabbits, who are invading a country, and Numbats, who are being invaded. The Rabbits book is based around the British invading Australia and the Indigenous' people's experiences and feelings about it. By replacing people with animals in the book, people are separated from what they think happened, and there is no cognitive bias.

Read More

How Does Rabbit Proof Fence Show Courage

1017 Words | 5 Pages

The film “Rabbit-Proof Fence”, directed by Phillip Noyce and is based loosely on a true story was released in 2002. This film is about the three half-caste girls trying to go home after being forcibly removed from their family as The Stolen Generation. Noyce explores all the crucial characteristics of the courage and determination that the children shown in the film to fight over the injustice. Aboriginal children encounter innumerable mistreatment and injustice from the Europeans which bravery encourages them to resist against it to get fairness and freedom. Furthermore, Indigenous children’s decisions to escape from the place that gives them harsh experience by trying to strip them out of their culture and abusing them, indicates their

Read More

Indigenous Australians In The Film 'The Rabbit-Proof Fence'

366 Words | 2 Pages

Indigenous Australians Today, Australia is full of mixed cultures and people, so why are Indigenous Australians still treated differently? Among Kevin Rudd’s apology in 2008, Mabo day, Sorry day and many other events that are dedicated to the Indigenous Australians, they still don’t get the full benefits as a white Australian, this is called the ‘white privilege’. The movie ‘The Rabbit Proof Fence’, had many scenes that displayed racism, unfairness and the ‘white privilege’. The particular scene that stood out to me is when the farmer’s wife gives the girls food and coats after catching Molly in the chook house stealing eggs. Then she tells them where the rabbit-proof fence is.

Read More

Racism And Stereotypes In Indian Horse By Richard Wagamese

817 Words | 4 Pages

In recent years, Canada has built a reputation for its diverse and accepting society, however, the racist and violent treatment towards different ethnic groups, specifically Indigenous communities, makes up a significant part of the country's history and continues to have an effect on today’s society. The novel, Indian Horse, written by Richard Wagamese, strives to prove how individuals who encounter racial abuse and stereotypes will face hardships in an attempt to live to their full potential. This point is exhibited through Saul’s harsh experience in Residential School, his hockey journey, and alcoholism struggle. SUBTOPIC: The first example of how racism and racial stereotypes prevent an individual from reaching their full potential

Read More

Analysis Essay On The Rabbits

681 Words | 3 Pages

The Rabbits – Shaun Tan: Response Revisionist texts allow an individual to understand a perspective or perception of reality that differs from the dominant one. A text which, through its construction encourages white Australians to re-interpret their ideology of the European discovery of Australia is the picture book, ‘The Rabbits’ by Shaun Tan, as it challenges the belief that if the Indigenous peoples had westernised themselves, Australia would be a greater nation. When the first text is revealed – “many grandparents ago,” the viewer is immediately positioned to see the story in the style of a Dreamtime story aka from the Aborigines’ point of view. Throughout the whole picture book, Marsden utilises very minimal text and rather relies on

Read More

What Is The Theme Of Colonisation In The Rabbits

621 Words | 3 Pages

The Rabbits John Marsden and Shaun Tan 'The Rabbits' is a picture book written by John Marsden and Shaun Tan that uses anthropomorphism to convey a story of colonisation. Despite the small amount of text in the book, it seems to offer many deep meanings. Because of this, Marsden and Tan heavily rely on their illustrations to convey themes using this such as symbolism, motifs, characterisation, and colour. By doing this, they make the book relatable not just to Australian Indigenous people, but to Indigenous people from all over who have had to experience colonisation. The clear depictions make the concepts understandable to all people Colonisation is investigated heavily through the book by use of characterisation.

Read More

Summary Of Into That Forest By Louis Nowra

717 Words | 3 Pages

THE MONTHLY Nowra’s leap “Into that Forest”: Representing Indigenous Perspectives in Australian Literature Do non-Indigenous authours have the authority to write from Indigenous perspectives? Joshua D’Souza evaluates Nowra’s empowering tale ‘Into that Forest’ and his courageous leap into the world of realism. What is it like to witness your culture, your heritage, your native identity misrepresented for Australia to see? Ask Aboriginal Australians, and they will tell you a thing, or two about being ignored.

Read More

The Rabbits By John Marsden Belonging

184 Words | 1 Pages

In the book ‘The Rabbits’ by John Marsden and Shaun Tan, the text featured on the double spread highlighted exposes the caution the Numbat elders possess about the Rabbits, using words as warnings such as “be careful” and that the elders “warned us [Numbats]”. This suggests the hesitancy of the Numbats because of the Rabbits being so unknown and the fact the species cannot communicate. Moreover, the text also showcases the use of personal pronouns the Numbats employ when talking about the Rabbits. This hints that the Numbats are friendly and welcoming towards the rabbits, despite the Rabbits being an unknown species. In addition, Marsden and Tan’s depiction of the British colonizers coming to the new land uses recurring motifs of native animals

Read More

Shaun Tan The Rabbits Analysis

1163 Words | 5 Pages

Personal pronouns such as ‘them, we and us” are emphasised heavily to show a segregation between the Indigenous people and the European settlers. In addition to this, it’s included to inflict an accusing tone upon the rabbits, portraying that the rabbits are the only ones at fault to the audience. Tan emphasises the idea that in their efforts to learn, European settlers are destroying the land in which aboriginals lived in with harmony for generations by juxtaposing an illustration of cows attached to milking machines and labelled what parts of meat they will be together with branded sheep, with a barren piece of land and an empty pond full of dead fish. Tan uses size and position to convey the power of the European settlers with their guns and weapons in comparison to the Indigenous people with only their spears for protection. He chooses to use a double spread to construct a picture of the European settler arriving during the beginning of the text.

Read More

Analysis Of Rabbit Proof Fence By Phillip Noyce

173 Words | 1 Pages

The director, Phillip Noyce made Rabbit Proof Fence to try and illustrate the shear enormity of the oppression suffered by aboriginal families at the hands of white Australian politicians and the government. The Australian administrators passed a policy that forced pure blooded, half castes and quarter castes Aboriginal children to be taken from their families and their land to be bred and mixed into the white Australian community. The government believed that this was in the Aboriginals best interest but their motive was to eventually eliminate Aboriginal blood to promote a white Australia. This policy is now referred to as the ‘Stolen Generation’. The pain and suffering the Aborigines experienced, the oppression and heart-break only ceased

Read More

More about Review Of Shaun Tan's Book 'The Rabbits'

Open Document