The Rabbits Shaun Tan And John Marsden: An Analysis
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.
In Justin Scott’s death a reclamation takes place. It is realized that “[the] white people who forced them here had never intended for them to survive” (212). Even before moving from their southern designed and southern styled community, the Anishinaabeg left when Justin Scott died. When they killed him; reversing his slaughter and putting an end to his triumph by giving the man who rejected and abused this land down to it. Justin Scott will drift to the depths of that sea and lay with the roots of the Anishinaabe, allowing them to reclaim their former way of life and “destiny” (212).
While reading the book, Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma, I learned a great deal about early Indian life, in a way I had not before. Of course, in grade school you learn about “Pocahontas” but not in the way Camilla Townsend describes her. I started this book not really knowing what to expect besides to learn more than I had previously known. I know recently a lot about history has come up for discussion in ways it has never before. Native Americans and Africa Americans have been a topic of discussion for the past few years, shedding light on their history.
Within the narrative, the author shows the significance of preserving one's Indigenous heritage while simultaneously embracing the transformative power of change. These dynamics are brought to life, showcasing the challenges and conflicts in these relationships. In one scene, the characters express their exasperation, with one remarking, “‘He’s such a tool.’ ‘Yeah. There’s always one in the family.’”
Monkey Beach is an adaptation of “Queen of the North,” both written by Eden Robinson. The texts both touch on the theme of intergenerational trauma within Indigenous communities. Through the lens of different main characters, however, Monkey Beach approaches the topic differently through its portrayal of the transmission of trauma. In “Queen of the North,” the transmission of intergenerational trauma is most clearly seen through Josh reenacting trauma onto Adelaine. In contrast, as a novel, Monkey Beach offers a more nuanced depiction of the methods of intergenerational trauma transmission, such as the loss of Lisamarie's cultural identity.
Richard Wagamese brings to light the troubles of aboriginals living in Northern Canada in his book Indian Horse. Wagamese demonstrates the maltreatment aboriginals have faced at the hands of the Zhaunagush and their residential schools. The disgusting truth of the treatment of aboriginals in Canada is shown through recovering alcoholic, Saul Indian Horse, who recounts his life from the time he lived in the bush with his native family, the Anishinabeg, to the the time he checked into The New Dawn Treatment Centre. Seen through Saul’s eyes, the Canadian government captures and transports native children to residential schools. Not only are these children stripped from their native way of life, they are placed in an environment that eerily resembles an internment camp.
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
The picture book « The Rabbits » written by Sean Tan and John Marsden, depicts the story of colonisation while using anthropomorphism. The authors rely mostly on the visual use of symbolism, motifs, colour and characterisation to describe the story of colonisation and how it impacted the native people. A picture book barely has any words, making it more accessible to people all around the world.. Because of this, the Rabbits is one of the most popular books in the world. Colonisation, the main theme of the book is represented with the help of anthropomorphism and a few motifs.
Upon initial encounter, the apology is recognized but once the viewer becomes aware, Bennett has cleverly reconfigured and remixed the apology to reveal a prideful testimony of colonial intent, objective and execution. The remixed ‘un-apology’ makes it irresistible bait for an “ass whopping”, only Billy Jack could deliver which many intergenerational survivors would appreciate. The remix essentially exposes the colonialist project, which was “designed to colonize Indian minds as a means of gaining access to Indigenous resources.” In general, Bennett masterfully depicts colonial residues, the trans-generational violence of exploitation of land, resources and colonial subjugation. The medium of film and media work as an effective tool to create a dialogue between these characters of different decades, time and narrative is conflated and transcended the historical wrong doings that are felt today, the past influences the present and future, or in another’s words, “history is amendable, but knows no past, present and future; it knows no long or short time, no ‘long ago’ or ‘recently’ – as absolutely unique and nonconvertible moments”
Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma written by Camilla Townsend introduces the historical period of seventeenth century Native Americans and the journey of their survival. Townsend is known for her multiple books mostly focusing on the lives of indigenous people and their stories. This book, however, goes through the specific life of Pocahontas herself. The author uses not only tragedy but also romance when recapping Pocahontas’ life throughout the years. The book successfully teaches and emphasizes the struggles Pocahontas and her people went through and educates the audience of the real history behind this time period.
One could compare this work to that of “Nanook of the North”, by Robert Flaherty in 1922. Although that one was silent and seemed more theatrical than scholarly in style, it still was aimed to educate a mass audience about ‘Nanook’ and his people, what their
Shedding light on a heinous chapter of Australian history, Phillip Noyce’s 2002 film adaption of the book by Doris Pilkington, Rabbit Proof Fence serves as a glaring reminder of the atrocities suffered by those of the “stolen generation”. Set in 1931, the film portrays a simplified version of the early life of three Aboriginal girls and their daring journey from an “integration program” to home again via the Rabbit Proof Fence. They are pursued by A.O. Neville (Branagh), the school director, whom, under government authority, is taking Aboriginal children from their homes and placing them in schools to be educated or more accurately, indoctrinated. Rabbit Proof Fence, through its compelling storyline and depiction of harsh reality, highlights to us that the real villain in colonial Australia was the government and it’s utterly racist policies. As a critic, this film struck me, as I’m sure it will many other viewers, in its veracity of the truth when displaying potentially painful situations.
“A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mary Rowlandson”: The Influence of Intercultural Contact on Puritan Beliefs “A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson” by Mary Rowlandson gives a first person perspective into the circumstances of captivity and cultural interaction and an insight to Rowlandson 's attitude towards the Indians, both before and after she was held captive. Rowlandson displays a change in her perception of "civilized" and "savage", in spite of the fact that her overall world view does not alter. It should be covered below that in the following Essay, since the author and the narrator are the same person, will not be individually distinguished. For one thing, Mary Rowlandson provides all the conventions typical of a Puritan perspective.
In Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s book This Earth of Mankind, the depiction of the Natives in this novel permits the author to expose the effects of colonization by the Europeans in Indonesia. Throughout this novel, the Natives are consistently portrayed as the social group, who is deemed inferior in comparison to the Europeans, which contributes to their oppression. The two characters that represent this attribute are Nyai Ontosoroh and Minke. Despite her backstory and status as a concubine for Herman Mellema, Nyai Ontosoroh is one of the central characters in this novel. She is described as a formidable Native woman, “...this Nyai Ontosoroh who was talked about by so many people...”(29).
Who were those foreign beings? How long had they been in this new land? Were they a threat? What resources did they hold? It was in result of this insatiable curiosity that Smith 's novel spread swiftly between hands and eyes and minds.
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