The Rabbits Notes James Grafton Goes from Belonging (i.e.

connection to the land) -> Not Belonging (rejection from the land), due to conflict of societies. The undertone of this novel pertains to the belonging to a specific group or culture and the novel metaphorically represents the possums as aborigines, and the white settlers - cleverly tying in the contemporary issue of Australias inequality. Initially: Uses colour in first few pages to represent a connection to the land brown, red and yellow earthly colours that effectively work together in creating a definitive environment o They work with the land instead of abusing it Brown possums raised as the inhabitants -> there is a conflict in colour when the white rabbits enter the land o Foreshadows tension further on Juxtaposing positions of societies on double page spread brown on left, white right. Hiatus represents a conflict of interest, further with a conflict in colour white environment consists of dark, grayscale -> reflective of their technological advancement Progression: Book progresses, so too does dissolution of the brown rabbits belonging Marsden uses repetition of text There were too many rabbits to exemplify the newfound dominance of the rabbits in a forceful attempt to belong to the land -> superficial and forced belonging to place. Violence as a symbolic representation of the limitations of the cultures, which creates a sub concept of conflict. Juxtaposition of weapons, especially in size and detail white rabbits are larger in size, greater detail, and greater number. Feeble opposition of brown rabbits limited, uses elements of the earth as opposed to manufactured goods -> destruction of brown rabbits o Upon brown depletion, comes a depletion in colour within the world turns grayscale progressively w/ houses, buildings and farms Signifying the NOT belonging to place by the black rabbits Post-destruction: Brown rabbits are framed to the left of the page, enshrouded by technological advancement and the vectors of a fence lead them to be seen as prisoners Black colour dominates final pages to suggest lack of life, lack of belonging colour and light used as symbols Low key colours + vector of horizon leads readers eyes towards a huge jail wall, framed to the left of the page. The text the land is bare and brown and the wind blows across the plains sits above the horizons vector although the white rabbits occupy the land, they do not belong to it, hence Marsdens use of bare

o Furthers link between black rabbits and the land Wind blows empty is mysterious imagery to show the rejection that natural elements now have towards the land, and suggests that the white rabbits have destroyed the landscape -> superficial colonization and forced belonging / signifies change, they belong physically but not emotionally Marsden delves into the dual layer components of belonging White rabbits become salients in recurring images especially their industrialization and technological dominance, contrasts earlier images of natural world elements being the salients.

Motifs: The same white rabbit appears throughout the novel, as a symbol of hope. Does not appear on every page, is incredibly small, and always spaced away from his own tribe to show how he is a traitor towards them, yet a symbol of hope towards the brown rabbits. Marsden comments here on the inherent decency that lay within many of the settlers, and lessers the dehumanizing traits of the white rabbits. The whole novel is an extended metaphor for the colonization of Australia in 1778 by Captain Cook and the First Fleet. White rabbits are consistently of larger size to reflect their dominance in all aspects. Extended metaphor makes the novel suitable for a younger audience. Inferiority resounds through all facets of the rabbits lives. Technology (e.g. agricultural use / framing. Image where main white huge rabbit holds a small globe in his hands, as if he is metaphorically manipulating the world around him. Also language, brown rabbits often say We couldnt understand the way they talked etc. -> collectively furthers Marsdens exploration of belonging.

Concepts explored: Belonging to a place, not belonging to place Belonging to culture o Not belonging to culture is seen by recurring White Rabbit (the traitor)