Belonging__Peter_Skrzynecki_and_Related_Text__Mending_Wall

When somebody belongs they usually feel accepted and comfortable, yet when somebody does not belong, feelings of detachment and disorientation can occur. The texts Migrant Hostel and 10 Mary street by Peter Skrzynecki from the immigrant chronicles and Mending Wall by Robert Frost, explores how individuals can contain the strength to withstand any challenges that they encounter in their lives. An individual’s identity and self-perception can be created through the process of belonging. Only the individual can determine whether or not they belong and to shape a sense of self in their life. Migrant Hostel by Peter Skrzynecki demonstrates how individuals may not belong to other cultures. This can be portrayed through the use of a smile “Nationalities sought/ each other out distinctively/ like homing pigeons”. The use of simile in ‘homing pigeons’ suggest that the migrants are trying to belong to something that reminds them of their Polish heritage. The responders can convey that the migrants are being alienation from other cultures resulting in isolation and loneliness which… LINK Skrzynecki presents that barriers can affect individuals to belong to the bigger picture. The Migrant hostel provides a prison like life environment. The “barrier at the main gate” is a metaphoric and literal barrier, which gives the impression of imprisonment, sealing the migrants off from the rest of the world. The responders can convey that the migrants belong to a group but not to the rest of the country, making them feel excluded as it limits them to whom or what they can belong too as this barrier is affecting… LINK Migrant Hostel shows that belonging can create uncertainty in pathways. This can be depicted through the use of a metaphor “unaware of the season, whose track would be follow”, the migrants don’t know where their going or what their future holds, thus creating uncertainty in their lives. The responders can see that without the migrants following a pathway, they then have no connections or context to head too, which results in them not being able to belong to a place or culture… LINK 10 Mary Street by Peter Skrzynecki presents a strong connection to the house through the nurturing of the garden. This can be shown through the use of smiles in “roses and camellions like adopted children”. Through the strong connection, a sense of belonging is created as they show their immense love for the garden. The responders may able to see that they care towards their garden as it provides them with a place to belong and feel comfortable… LINK Similarly 10 Mary Street also creates strong feelings of belonging. This can be depicted through the use of personification in “china blue coat”. This creates a sense of security and warmth within the home. The responders are able to convey that the strong connection is important to these individuals as they feel as though it’s the only place to belong and feel safe… LINK Skrzynecki presents that barriers can also open new doors. This can be portrayed through the use of symbolism; “the key” is a symbol for the individuals becoming Australian Citizens as they have become “citizens of the soil”, even though this key will open no doors once the house is gone, it was able to provide them with a sense of security and acceptance in their lives. The responders can see that this key has metaphorically opened new doors for these new Australians citizens… LINK Mending Wall by Robert Frost depicts that barriers prevent individuals to belong. ‘The wall’ is an extended metaphor for the division that exists between the speaker and the neighbour. The responders can see that it is very difficult to belong when there is a barrier affecting relationships. LINK Frost opens his poems by suggesting that nature doesn’t like the concept of ownership. This can be shown through the use of vivid imagery “gaps even two can pass abreast”. This shows that nature is slowly bringing down the wall so that they can walk together. This can be seen as positive or negative through the responder’s eyes, although the wall separates them all year round, it also unites them and that is to mend the wall that keeps them apart. LINK Although barriers can prevent individuals to belong, they can also unite individuals. This can be portrayed through the use of a paradoxical “and one day we will meet to walk the line that keeps us apart”. Even though they are detached from each other all year round, the unite once a year to walk the barrier that keeps them apart and separated. The responders can understand that they belong to each other in their own way and embrace the relationship they have through the barrier. LINK