How do the images represent conflicting ideologies on the importance of land within different cultures?

A main theme in The Rabbits is environmentalism and culture as well the environmental consequences of technology advancements. The Rabbits enter Australia and soon start shaping it to their image, which involves the destruction of much nature and the building of many houses. The marsupials state in their narration, “[the Rabbits] ate our grass, chopped down our trees, and scared away our friends”, which shows the negative impact on the plants and the animals in the country. After the Rabbits have arrived and have begun to change the landscape, such as cutting down trees and building houses, the marsupials then describe the land as “bare and brown”. This shows us the damage the Rabbits have caused through their colonization.

The Rabbits shows us the consequences of colonization and how modern living can greatly impact the environment. Typically, native cultures tend to care about the environment and respect the nature around them - a value which Western society doesn’t tend to prioritize. The text highlights this attitude, showing the reader the extent of the damage caused by construction of modern landscapes, such as the harm caused by freeing land by destroying trees, constructing buildings, and introducing non-native animals to the areas.