In Phillip Noyce's Rabbit-Proof Fence there are two main types of power presented. The aboriginal powers of culture, native education and survival skills, might seem to be inferior to the well-established powers of the white empire builders, which are law, civilization and society. The three young protagonists also have the power of heart and family ties, which bring them home. However, despite achieving this objective, ultimately neither the strength of aboriginal culture, nor the authority of the white man is successful. At this time, the whites did not achieve their goal of completely civilising the aboriginal race, yet the aboriginal culture has been severely damaged, and partly lost.

The power that appears to be of greater strength early in the film, is the domination displayed by the whites. They had civilization and society. This led to authority in the law which, was one of the major controls the...