Belonging

‘An individual’s interaction with others and the world around them can enrich or limit their experience of belonging’ Discuss this view with detailed reference to your prescribed text and one other related text of your own choosing. The concept of belonging dates back to Ancient Greece, during which Aristotle referred to this basic drive as an ‘impulse to form partnership that is present in all men by nature.’ Similarly, Abraham Maslow’s hierarchical model of human needs accentuates humanity’s instinctive and psychological desire to associate with and to be well regarded by our peers. An individual’s state of congruity is two-fold. While the ramifications associated with dissention can undermine one’s sense of belonging, this feeling of alienation acts as a precondition to overcoming the challenges one faces. Therefore inspiring a well-constructed and refined self-perception. William Shakespeare’s 17th century play As You Like It in correlation with Jodi Picoult’s novel My Sister’s Keeper are both timeless representations of the way in which belonging prevails in all facets of life. Both composer’s essentially reveal that ‘an individual’s relationship with others can enrich or limit their experience of belonging’ and this notion is extended by means of dramatic techniques such as irony, characterisation and dialogue as well as literary techniques such as first person, imagery and personification. It is the fractured and disconnected family relationships that in essence foster a sense of dislocation, therefore igniting a multitude of psychological ramifications. The protagonist of Shakespeare’s play, Orlando, shares a relationship with his brother, Oliver that can be likened to the intense and strained relationship evident between Kate and Anna. Oliver’s ruthless nature, when juxtaposed with Orlando’s gentle nature, is exhibited through the use of animal imagery, ‘his horses are bred better for.’ This imparts that Orlando is greatly affected by his brother’s disposition of primogeniture. In comparison, Kate and Anna’s tense relationship becomes clear through the use of dialogue when Anna reveals she is no longer willing to help her sister in her fight against cancer, she wants to sue her parents ‘for the rights to her own body’. Furthermore, Orlando heightens his sense of alienation and by means of soliloquy he begins to question what his existence is worth in the world, ‘if I be foiled, there is but one shamed that was never gracious: if killed, but one dead that is willing be so.’ Similarly, through the use of old family photographs as a motif, audience members are able to engage with characters as they recall the past and reflect on the situations they presently find themselves in. Kate, for instance, looks at a picture of herself as a baby and, recognising the sickly cancer patient she has become, wonders who that child is. The motif works to emphasise how Kate’s debilitating sickness has ostracised her, stripping her of her identity, ‘Don't you dare tell me that I'm beautiful, because I'm not.’ Through the literary device of first person the reader is able to enter the mind of the character, instilling a sense of authenticity and verisimilitude. Both Orlando’s soliloquy and Kate’s reflection on family photos reveals that any individual bereaved of a close and loving relationship struggles to find stability in their lives and therefore in order to belong it is necessary that one is also acknowledged and respected. Shakespeare challenges a customary interpretation of social hierarchy to demonstrate the corollaries that are brought about by resentment and enmity. The opening scene of As You Like It sees Orlando confide in his servant, therefore exacerbating the breakdown of social classes that is brought about by dissention. Oliver’s derogative treatment of Adam, which can be observed through the use of a metaphor, ‘Get him with you, you old dog,’ accentuates the challenges faced by the lower class citizens. Ironically, albeit Oliver’s use of the word ‘dog,’ as means to insult Adam he un-knowingly acknowledges the servant’s undying loyalty and devotion that is so often likened to the behaviour of mans best friend, the dog. In comparison, Picoult creates the symbol of fire as a destructive and uncontrollable force that can be likened to Kate’s cancer and the effect that cancer is having on their family, which is figuratively burning out. While Aristotle stated, the ‘impulse to form partnership is present in all men by nature,’ it is clear that embedded within this pursuit of belonging exists a multitude of challenges. This inference, in essence, suggests that wisdom comes from suffering, Orlando’s un-fulfilling life of being neglected by his own family has ultimately fashioned him the stronger and wiser man he is. Similarly, Kate and Anna’s intense bond forms a substantial part of their identity, thus enriching and establishing a sense of belonging to each other. Both Shakespeare and Picoult demonstrate that while a feeling of incongruity most certainly has repercussions, perhaps a feeling of such alienation can also encourage one to develop a more intuitive state of mind. Through the device of disguise one is able to experience emotions and thoughts outside the more constrained world therefore propelling one’s sense of belonging. Through the characterisation of Rosalind, the profound power of nature and disguise is heightened, ‘Now go we in content, to liberty and not to banishment.’ It appears Rosalind has been significantly affected by being expelled from everyday life and the way in which she has been exiled from the world by nature of her gender but her presence in a more idyllic environment has enabled her to develop a more stable and controlled sense of self, therefore enriching her sense of belonging. In the same way, Picoult’s novel is riddled with disguise and situations in which appearance acts as a façade to reality. This concept of disguise is made clear through Campbell’s ironic pursuit to hide his epilepsy, ‘I have an iron lung and the dog keeps me from getting too close to magnets.’ As a result, of Campbell’s constant jokes as means to make himself appear normal and perhaps even trick himself and others into the belief that he belongs, through the use of first person narration, audience members are able to identify the discrepancy that Campbell has conjured between what people think his motivation is and what his motivation actually is therefore creating a contrast between his appearance and his true feelings and actions. Thus, it is clear that an individual’s interaction with others and the world around them can either enrich or limit their experience of belonging. While the ramifications associated with dissention can undermine one’s sense of belonging, this feeling of alienation acts as a precondition to overcoming the challenges one faces. By means of dramatic techniques such as irony, characterisation and dialogue as well as literary techniques such as first person, imagery and personification, William Shakespeare’s 17th century play As You Like It in correlation with Jodi Picoult’s novel My Sister’s Keeper reveal the way in which belonging prevails in all facets of life.