Barriers To Belonging In Jane Harrison's Rainbows End

Individuals often face a struggle to overcome the multiple barriers that prevent belonging, however we find that belonging is achieved by being in an environment that fosters a state of mind in which we understand and accept our identity and the world around us. These notions of belonging are epitomised in; Jane Harrisons play Rainbows End , David Malof's novel The Great world and the movie directed by Sean Penn, Into the Wild.

In Jane Harrissons play Rainbows End many of the characters find it hard to belong without connections to the land and without being accepted into the environment around them. Gladys has a strong desire to be accepted into the white community. This is shown through the repetition of ‘white’ and cleanliness throughout the play, showing that she isn't able to reach a state of mind in which she feels accepted. The recurring motif of white: ‘white gloves’, ‘white shoes’, ‘guaranteed to turn your skin white’, – reinforces the gulf of difference between the Aboriginals and the wider white community. Gladys doesn't feel accepted into the community and therefore she cannot completely understand her own identity, an essential part of establishing a sense of belonging.

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The characters are forced to move to Rumbalara meaning “end of the rainbow” and their identity as Aboriginal Australians. Rumbalara is clearly a place where the characters are not happy in as Nan Dear bitterly says “They forced us to leave. Forced us to leave Cummeragunja. Our home.”. The repetition of forced shows that Nan is unhappy in her surroundings and reflects the harsh treatment and lack of acceptance that the Aboriginal society received. This simple sentence reinforces the importance of being in an accepting environment to be able to find acceptance and reach a state of mind in which one feels that they