Belonging: Indigenous Australians and White Society Essay

â€Å"A sense of belonging can emerge from the connections made with people, places, groups, communities and the larger world. † The quote is clearly represented in the play â€Å"Rainbows End† by Jane Harrison and the musical _____________________________________. Belonging is subjective and so there is no correct way of what it means but what I think belonging means is to feel apart or connected with the rest of the group. In my first text â€Å"Rainbows End† by Jane Harrison it supports and reveals connections made with people, places, groups, communities and the larger world. This will become evident throughout the language, and symbols used in the play. Rainbows End is fiction but Harrison tried to capture the indigenous experience that was set in the 1950s. Harrison also draws historical events in the play such as the Queens visit, the Rumbalara housing development and the Assimilation Policy. The play is focused on three indigenous Australians; Nan Dear who is against whites and uses this to form her identity as an Aboriginal. â€Å"Refuses to say that the Queen is not her Queen as Nan thinks that it is a part of the white society†. Gladys is an enthusiastic and idealistic person who desperately wants to be in the white society â€Å"She believes that she will meet the Queen†. Dolly is the youngest and she is proud to be Aboriginal but is ashamed of the status that comes with it. She is also dutiful and hard working â€Å"serious about her homework†. Gladys and Dolly constantly listen to the radio this is a symbol for the woman connecting to the rest of society. The radio gets the woman to listen and become more involved in society even though they are perceived outcasts. The radio keeps them connected to society and in turns gives them a sense of belonging. The encyclopedias that Gladys brought from Errol are another symbol used in the play. Gladys brought these encyclopedias for Dolly as Gladys believes that it may represent an opportunity for Dolly to be a part of the white society.