Belonging_Romulus_My_Father

An individuals concept of belonging may differ to that of someone else, this however, does not mean the one does not belong, nor does it mean one is greater than the other. ”Despite an individual’s desire to belong to a group or community, this is not always possible”. Those with differing views to someone else may take this view and, it is because of this varying attitude, that belonging is what you make it. This ideal may be further understood by studying and analysing “Romulus, my father” a memoir by Raymond Gaita, James Camerons “Avatar” and Shaun Tan’s “The lost Thing”. With a thorough analysis of these texts a deeper understanding of what it is to belong will be clear. Shaun Tan’s “the Lost Thing” is an excellent text to help understand this ideal Tan’s colour use is a subtle example of juxtaposition that can be found throughout the text. The city scope is created using dull, drab greys and browns with the occasional dry, depressing red thrown in. These colours present the city as one of conformity and non-expression. Clashing with these dreary shades, is the creature with its vivid red. This vibrant splash of colour forces the creature to stand out. This contrast suggests the persona and creature do not belong, yet their facial expressions and body language suggest they are home in their environment. The use of juxtaposition highlights and supports the idea that belonging is what you make it. Another subtle difference is Tan’s shape choice. The polar opposites of the cityscape against the creature are an example of Tan pushing the boundaries of belonging. While the cityscape is constructed with rigid, square components giving it a repetitive, unimaginative feel, the creature on the other hand, is formed using expressive, curvaceous and unique shapes to oppose the cityscape. Once again this shows that despite rejection from society, if you accept your differences and other people, then you belong, as belonging is what you make it This societal rejection is dealt with differently in Raymond Gaita’s “Romulus My Father”. Raimonds father “longed for the generous and soft European foliage, the eucalyptus of Baringhup, scraggy except for the noble gums on the river bank, seemed symbols of deprivation and bareness”. Emotive language such as this poses to the audience Romulus’s pain and sorrow for leaving his home land and shows how such a radical change can leave one with a feeling of disjointment(is this a word') if one cannot see themselves belonging. A sense of not belonging is also present in Gaitas mother Christina. Christina, like Romulus, cannot envisage herself ever belonging and this is symbolised through “a dead red gum stood only one hundred meters from the house and became for my mother a symbol of her desolation”. The gums isolation represents that of Christina’s isolation from society and the environment the tree stands in is what killed it; the environment with which Christina finds herself in is a factor in her suicide. This situation draws pity from the audience and, again, shows that belonging is what you make it. James Camerons, Jake Sully, from “Avatar” neither rejects or accepts his surroundings and environment, rather he learns to appreciate it, through this he learns to belong. Due to Sully’s physical and intellectual inferiority as a human, the scientists do respect or value him, “just relax and let your mind go blank, that shouldn’t be to hard for you”, this subjective language places Sully in an environment where cannot belong and he eventually leaves for good. This shows the audience that despite trying to belong, others may not want you and due to this belonging is not possible. Sully, does however, find acceptance within the Na’vi tribe due to his ability to once again walk and mutually understand the opposite race. This is represented through camera angles. While Sully is a human, high angle shots are used to drain him of his respect and responsibility. However, when he is with the Na’vi tribe, mid shots are used giving him equal respect and responsibility. The audience is lead to understand that even though an individual is rejected from one place, they may be accepted and belong in another. Belonging is what you make it. This may vary depending on the situation, which is depicted through the analysis of “James Camerons “Avatar”, Shaun Tan’s “The Lost Thing” and Raymond Gaitas “Romulus, my Father”. Despite one individuals understanding of belonging differing to another individuals understanding, does not mean one is wrong, it simply means that certain people find acceptance and security in different places. Nb. Amy I am having trouble with my conclusion, could you suggest some ideas' Thanks. Ps. what make would you give me for this and the Harwood one. Thank you Thank you Chris