The Rabbit Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington is a novel based on true events and this fact makes it even more difficult to read, not because of the author’s style, but because it is hard to put up with a thought that such injustice truly exists in this world. There are many stories about hardship a white man has to endure while trying to adjust to a life in the new world (Jack London is one of the brightest examples), but there are not so many stories about sorrow and grief of indigenous people. It is not a pleasant theme to even think about, but to avoid it means that we don’t care about them at all, that their lives mean nothing.
Molly is a child of mixed race, if it is possible to say so, she is the first generation of such children. Quite predictably, neither the Aborigines nor the white people want to accept her, for they consider her to be a freak. The affairs between people of different races in this story are viewed as something abnormal, so there is nothing strange in the fact that there is no happily ever after for couples like Molly’s parents. Molly grows up under the pressure of teasing, insults and even beating, but it doesn’t make her bitter, doesn’t break her, for her mother loves her enough to help the daughter to be happy. When Molly’s happiness becomes almost complete, she finally has friends to play with, the government decides that it would be better for Molly and her cousins to grow up away from their home. It is mentioned that there is an idea that children of mixed race are cleverer than children of the Aborigines. Isn’t it a horrible idea to believe in? The philosophy of national superiority has already proved to be destructive for everyone, for those who support it and for those who suffer at hands of its supporters. This novel is one more argument against this terrible, inhumane idea, which should be taken into account by its followers.
The Rabbit Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington is also about willpower, strengths, courage and genuine love. Molly and her cousins make us believe that nothing is impossible for a willing heart. The girls manage to cope with their fears and exhaustion, because they don’t stop supporting each other. Molly inspires, encourages and helps her younger cousins when they want to give up. She feels the enormous responsibility for them and it – consequently – helps her not to drown in her own despair.
Pilkington's text should be read by both children and adults to show them how important it is to be compassionate, kind and open-minded. We are all humans and to divide us into different groups is a crime, for if we don’t learn how to live together in peace, we will perish. The only one thing which helps the girls to survive is their ability to stick together and we, mankind, has to do the same.
