Belonging_Essay

It is through the establishment of active connections on both an emotional and physical level that can contribute to a sense of belonging. A sense of belonging involves intimacy with, but is not restricted to a community, family or culture and is the outcome of the process of understanding one’s self identity. Despite this, a sense of not belonging can result in an enhanced recognition of relationships and aspects of life which are conveyed in Raimond Gaita’s memoir, Romulus, My Father where perceptions of belonging are shaped. Also, the development of belonging is evident in The Arrival by Shaun Tan and Road to Perdition by Sam Mendes. These texts represent alienation and how belonging arises from relationships between family and place. Isolation through the disconnection and separation from society can further enhance a sense of belonging to objects and relationships. This is evident in Romulus, My Father shown through their relocation of home. Frogmore, although isolated, symbolises a sense of belonging that is synonymous with home. Gaita constantly talks of Frogmore as an underpinning sense of identity. While the isolated property creates a physical barrier that often prevented belonging, it is at the isolated place that assisted Gaita to come to an understanding and acceptance about those who were outcasts and those who enriched his life. “Primitive though the house was, it made it possible for my father to keep me”…”and it offered hope that our family might be reunited”. This suggests Gaita had belief that the place had the potential to enrich the group of people that he considered family. Through the employment of a high modality tone and repetition of first person pronouns, Gaita contends that overcoming his struggle for belonging has allowed him to say “I know what a good workman is, I know what an honest man is, I know what friendship is” and thus discover his place in the world. Furthermore, Gaita develops and intrinsic link between the struggle for belonging and a sense of place. Through Frogmore, Raymond’s relationship with his father Romulus changed. The desolation from the community caused the two to become more dependent on each other. The “Sunbeam” symbolised a sense of home and security as it released the thought of isolation from the community. The motorbike acts as a catalyst, stimulating the growth of the father and son relationship. The process of learning how to ride the motorbike leads to continuous interactions with his father, developing their relationship. The apparent vulnerability of Gaita in “only shorts and sandals” is juxtaposed with a sense of safety and belonging in the metaphor “crystallised in me a sense of freedom”. The imagery of the “dead red gums” and the simile “looked ghostly” provides a perspective of fear, loneliness and isolation in the night. This experience of loneliness created a bond between him and animals changing his “karacter” to become more reliant on others. Finally, through the lack of interaction with others, Raimond’s attitude towards his father modified, developing intimate emotions for each other. “I loved him too deeply and knew after what we shared at Frogmore, no quarrel could estrange us”. Frogmore here represents the growth and development in their relationship brought about by the physical isolation of their home. The sense of belonging with his father is enhanced, brought about through isolation. Social rejection and alienation also contributes to the development of a father and son relationship similar to Romulus, my Father. This is expressed in Road to Perdition by Sam Mendes. The film explores the consequences of belonging to an Irish organised crime syndicate. The social rejection and isolation is represented as Sullivan seeks revenge. Psychological transformations occur when belonging is betrayed as revenge acts as a catalyst as Sullivan and his son come to an eventual understanding transformed by their alienated relationship. As Sullivan hunts down those who protect Connor, he relies on his son for help, yet distances him from acts of violent retribution. Although Michael disregards Sullivan as his father, Sullivan moves to protect Michael, slowly persuading Michael into a new perspective of his father. Eventually, Michael acknowledges Sullivan as “my father” and through this he comes to a sense of acceptance and ultimately, forgiveness. The film is rich in sensory images, using shadows and near monochromatic tones to create a sinister and dysfunctional world to highlight the alienation. As the story is told in an extended flashback by Michael, the power of reflections to bring about understanding and forgiveness of complex relationships is evident. Through isolation, Sullivan and Michael are able to connect to each other, highlighting the relationship between the two. Similarly, relocation and separation enables the persona to truthfully understand what it is to belong. This notion of belonging is explored in The Arrival by Shaun Tan through the concept of immigration. The picture book conveys the movement from belonging to alienation and the resultants of this action. From the comfort of home and family, the relocation to a new unknown land is emphasised through the symbolism of buildings. The buildings are irregular, further expressing the alienation presented through immigration. The repetition of faces manifest the idea that immigration and the very notion of not belonging is a common occurrence. A mythical creature is employed in the book, showing signs of symbolising a dog. Although completely bizarre, it has characteristics of a dog, providing the persona his first sense of belonging after leaving his family. Shadowing is also implemented throughout the book to provoke the idea of uncertainty. Immigrants are juxtaposed with the superior native beings on the new land as these immigrants are depicted doing low skilled labour. After the experience of such isolation, the persona of the book is reunited with his family which has allowed him to truly understand the significance of belonging. Create conclusion on the spot.