Belonging

Before this area of study my understanding of belonging was very limited. I found that one’s perception of belonging or of not belonging can vary and is shaped through different contexts. These perceptions are shaped differently whether it is personal, cultural, Historical and social contexts. A sense of belonging can emerge from connections made with people, places, groups, communities and the larger world. Humans have an inherent desire to belong and to be a part of something greater than themselves. The text “The Simple Gift”, written by Steven Herrick, demonstrates elements of belonging which are shaped through connections made with others and the places that they live. Another demonstration of belonging is the Visual text ‘Yellow duck’ taken by Ray Simpson which Displays others elements of belonging such as connections made through different groups and races. In The text ‘The Simple Gift’ written by Steven Herrick, Old Bill, a former lawyer, lost his sense of belonging to anything or anyone because of the tragic loss of his Daughter Jesse and his wife. These events left Old Bill jobless, homeless and alone as he no longer felt a sense of belonging. This demonstrates how quickly ones sense of belonging can be changed, leaving them feeling as though they have nothing. His dependence on alcohol to help remove and Shield his feelings shows the grief that Old Bill is going through. It causes him more grief to remember what he has lost, more than he can handle, so he has to ‘Get so drunk / I sleep for days. / I sleep, and / I don’t dream’ the use of repetition and hyberbole show the way that Old Bill has lost basic human functions such as dreaming, because he didn’t want to dream as it would bring back important memories he once shared with his family and his home. Leaving him feeling as though he has nothing to live for. Old Bill then finds hope again through his connection with billy. Incidentally his first interaction with billy is with a gift and is also gained by watching others find their own connections. This shows that one can find belonging through connections with other people and their relationships, for Old Bill In particular his relationship with Billy and the relationship Between Billy and Caitlin, from a romantic point of view which helped him to find hope once again. Observations of Billy ‘Kissing his Girl’ and his experiences with Billy and Caitlin at Caitlin’s dinner party reminded Old Bill of the feeling of belonging to someone. By Old Bill not selling his house on Wellington Road, shows us that he is not ready to cut off ties with the feelings of belonging to his family. This becomes a symbol of Old Bill belonging to both the past and the future. By giving Billy his house on Wellington drive it Ensures that he will have a continuing connection of belonging with both Billy and his memories of his family. Billy is a trustee of both the house and the memory of old Bill’s family. Old Bills connection with his home, which stores all his memories, gives us an understanding of how ones sense of belonging can be developed from a Certain place or environment . In the visual art ‘Yellow Duck’ taken by Ray Simpson a group of 6 black ducks are walking in a straight line on top of a small ledge, they are all walking close together like a close group or pack which shows that they belong to a Group. Below them is a single yellow duck looking up at them, this gives you the sense that the single duck is feeling isolated as though it doesn’t belong. It is also sitting below them which demonstrate a feeling of weakness and rejection, as the other ducks Are looking down at it as though they are the dominant ones and feel a sense of belonging. This visual art shows the audience how important it is to belong to a group, whether it is large or small. As not belonging to a group gives one a sense of isolation, weakness and rejection. There is also a distinct barrier between the group of black ducks and the single yellow duck, their race or colour. This is similar to humans, one may not feel as though they belong because of their race or colour But instead they feel isolated from others because they feel as though they won’t fit in. Using both the examples I have used in this speech I feel that I have a much better understanding of belonging and the importance it plays in life. If one does not feel As though they belong they feel isolated, weak, rejected and feel as though they have nothing to live for. Belonging in a major part of everyone’s life and I hope that this speech has helped with your understanding of belonging.