_Conflicting_Notions_of_Belonging_May_Exist__Explain_Your_Interpretation_of_This_Quote,_and_How_It_Is_Demonstrated_in_Two_of_Peter_Skrzynecki's_Poems.

"Conflicting notions of belonging may exist" Explain your interpretation of this quote, and how it is demonstrated in two of Peter Skrzynecki's poems. Conflicting notions of belonging may exist when an individual is exposed to different situations depending on the social context of the era in which the individual is exposed to. In the poems “10 Mary Street” and “St Patrick’s College”, Skrzynecki employs the use of language techniques and personal experience to demonstrate the notion that conflicting notions of belonging may exist when an individual attempts to create a connection to a particular location, person or object. The poem "St Patrick’s College” is a text which illustrates the image that Skrzyencki did not belong at school, even though he has attended the educational institution for approximately eight years. During these eight years, Skrzynecki did not establish a connection with not only his fellow pupils and teachers, but also with the school itself. “For eight years, I carried the blue, black and gold I’d been privileged to wear” and also “I caught the 414 bus like a foreign tourist” outlines Skrzynecki’s perspectives and emotions in regards to being forced to attend school, due to the fact that his mother wanted “what was best” for her only son. Through the use of literary devices such as first person view, tone of voice, satire and similes, Skrzynecki depicts the image that his schooling years were not most favourable as he felt like a “foreign tourist,” further portraying the image that he endured recurring feelings of alienation, displacement and exclusion for eight years, furthermore illustrating the notion that “conflicting notions of belonging may exist” depending on one’s surroundings, location and social context. Reasons for this are that “St Patrick’s College” was written referencing a time period in which Australian citizens were reluctant of allowing immigrants to integrate into Australian society due to racism and discrimination. Time connectives are often used throughout both poems, along with the common feature that both tittles are named after locations, establishing a connection between both poems even though conflicting notions of belonging exists in both poems. "For eight years, I walked Strathfields' paths and streets, playing chasings up and down", "Above, unchanged by eight years weather" and also "Luceat Lux Vesta, I thought that was a brand of soap. Through the use of poetic devices such as time connectives, symbolism and first person view, a sense of sympathy and empathy is created for the reader as the author is oblivious to the proceedings of on goings of the school, believing that the school motto was some sort of soap brand, whereas in actuality meaning "let your light shine". The use of time connectives once again emphasises the lengthy and tedious task of attending school, and being chased by his pupils due to his culture, exemplifying the level of Skrzynecki's isolation and alienation. "Above, unchanged by eight years weather" is symbolic of how after eight years of schooling, the author's views and perspectives of belonging into Australian society have not changed, nor has he achieved and sustained a sophisticated level of education, emphasising the lack of change in his life. Due to his surroundings and prejudices of those around him, conflicting notions of belonging exist in comparison to the author's strong sense of belonging and connection to his garden in "10 Mary Street" "10 Mary Street", similarly titled in homage of a location, is a text which primarily focuses on Skrzynecki's belonging to his home and more specifically his garden of nineteen years, connection to Polish Australians and keeping Polish traditions and cultural practices relevant in society, furthermore depicting the idea that conflicting notions of belonging may exist depending on surroundings, time period, context and things of this nature. Through the use of time connectives such as "For nineteen years" and also "Back at 5 p.m." create a connection between both poems, even though Conflicting notions of belonging exist between both poems. The author now feels as if he belongs at home in his garden, due to the fact that he had devised a routine which was not generic and dull to him, but enjoyable and worthwhile. A connection is created between both poems, through the use of contrast and similes "I'd ravage the backyard, like a hungry bird - Until bursting at the seams of my little blue St Patrick's College Cap". This depicts the image that Skrzynecki thrived on spending time in the garden, as a result, ruining his uniform, suggesting his uniform was less important to him than his garden, as he truly felt as if he had established a connection with it, thus belonging to the garden. Such quotes and language techniques illustrate the notion that conflicting notions of belonging may exist depending on social context and surroundings. Due to prejudices which existed at school, Skrzynecki could not practice nor mention his Polish heritage, so that was instead carried out at home - 10 Mary Street. "For nineteen years, we lived together- Kept Pre war Europe alive" and also : Visitors that ate Kielbasa, salt herrings.." Through the use of language techniques such as time connectives, personification, emphasis and foreign language, a connection towards Polish heritage is displayed, and conflicting notions of belonging exist are displayed when comparing "St Patricks College" and "10 Mary Street" due to the fact that different surroundings allow different practices to occur. Skrzynecki feels a connection towards people of his own kind, as opposed to his pupils which is evident in St Pats, as he dislikes school. The inclusion of the word "visitors" further reiterates such a point, as people not only he, but also his family did not feel a connection to, nor belong in their home, would not be invited over and visit them to reminisce about pre-war Europe, once again the idea that conflicting notions of belonging may exist depending on the environment one finds themselves in and the era in which they live in. Conflicting notions of belonging do exist, and this is evident throughout the poems "St Patrick's College"and "10 Mary Street" with Peter Skrzynecki feeling different emotions and displaying different perspectives depending on his surroundings. Such ideas are based on the idea that when an individual tries to establish a connection with someone or something, and this is evident with the contrast of Skrzynecki feeling uncomfortable and alienated at school, whereas he feels as if he belongs at home due to the fact that he had established a connection at home in his garden with casual visits from those with the same background as himself and his family.