The following is an excerpt from our Rainbow's End Study Companion, available on the resources page of our website.
Harrison uses the differing experiences and outlooks of the three generations of women in her play to explore the history of mistreatment of Aboriginal people at the hands of authority and the hope for a fairer society eventually. By no means does the play put forward the idea of equality being achieved, but Dolly’s experience does provide some sense of optimism, as does the experience of Gladys, who is able to find her voice in fighting for a fairer society.
The relationship shared between Nan Dear, Gladys and Dolly is an effective prism through which we can consider the joy and shame, as well as the pride and discrimination that are all entwined with the lives of First Nations people in Australia. Nan Dear is cynical in her attitude towards authority figures or institutions such as hospitals. She holds great fears as to the safety of her family and promotes a stoic outlook in an effort to ready Dolly for a life of discrimination and mistreatment. Whilst still very much aware of the racism that will impact her daughter’s life, Gladys chooses to rally against the systems that will limit Dolly’s opportunities and allow Dolly to be more aspirational. How Dolly is shaped by these attitudes of her caregivers, along with her everyday experiences throughout the play provides the audience with many ideas to contemplate in regards to the treatment of Aboriginal Australians and obstacles standing in the way of true equality.
A fierce devotion to her family and a mistrust of anyone outside of this family leads Nan Dear to be a pivotal character in the play, representing the impacts of government rule and the internalisation of shame and despondency. Nan Dear’s anger and cynicism stems from her treatment “at the mercy of the manager” on the Cummergunja Mission. Despite being strongly opinionated and vocal, she rarely speaks of her past and “stops abruptly” during one outburst. It is implied that Nan Dear’s history, like that of other First Nations people during the early to mid twentieth century, was marred by violence, dispossession and control. As such, her outlook for her family is one of survival - looking to focus on the necessities whilst not daring to aspire to anything beyond. There is also a tragic acceptance shown through Nan Dear that sees her fulfilling a role of putting “food on the table” whilst not getting “het up” about their situation due to her belief that any positive change is simply “just not going to happen” in her lifetime.
Such an outlook sees her clash often with her daughter and granddaughter as they aspire to greater things. There is a tension throughout the play between Nan Dear and Gladys regarding the expectations of Dolly and what she can accomplish in her life. Whilst Gladys is passionate about her daughter needing to know “the world is bigger than just this”, Nan Dear cautions her, with a belief that putting “ideas in that girl’s head” is more dangerous than it is helpful.
GLADYS: Why should her address stop her in life?
NAN DEAR: Gladys, get a grip.
GLADYS: I’m trying, mum, I’m trying.
Whilst Gladys looks to white culture as something her daughter can and should be a part of, her mother resents this attitude strongly. Nan Dear “looks at Gladys accusingly” as she listens to the radio with its talk of “elves” and “cash registers”. For Nan dear, life is more about the immediate; caring for family and the community. The world outside of the flats is not her concern and she has very little trust in those who come to their home.
Ben Taylor - The English Lab
We have lots more to say about this text! If you’d like for Ben to speak to your students or to your teaching team, please contact hello@englishlab.com.au
Please also look around our website for further resources and services that can help your Year Twelve teachers and students get the best out of themselves. Our study guide (of which this post is an excerpt from) is available by clicking on the ‘Resources’ tab at the top of this page.
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