We_All_Need_to_Belong

“We all need to belong” How do the texts you have studied reinforce the need to belong' In your answer- you should make references to the different ways the composers have represented belonging. The notion of belonging is a human desire engrained within society; directing the course and quality of life we uphold. It is true that we all need to belong, driving a sense of identity and positive self esteem. Both Steven Herrick in his verse novel “The Simple Gift” and Uncle Kracker In his lyrics “Smile” encompass literacy and dramatic techniques to explore the struggles undertaken in order to achieve belonging and reap the rewards attained. The Simple Gift follows each of the three central characters Billy, Caitlin and Old Bil whom are all isolated in a particular aspect of their lives. Whilst family are for many, a refuge, Herrick establishes early on that Billy feels alienated in his family environment and his father, made apparent in chapter 1 'Cold' and 'force of a father's punch.' Further Herrick's use of emotive description 'one hard backhander across the face' in Sport results in Billy taking the steps to become homeless. Enjambment in the poem 'Men' portrays Billy's broken relationship with his father 'other men, men like my dad.' A lack of shelter, food and clothing causes Billy to face countless challenges. Billy's narrative voice “i'm poor, homeless, but i'm not stupid” in 'Lunch' vocalises Billy's determination to overcome these challenges and isolation and homeless, catalysed by his hostile environment. Billy uses metaphoric language and a reflective tone 'I.d.i.o.t hunched under the bow praying for morning and sunshine'; demonstrating his difficult path of alienation in his environment and yearning to find acceptance. Herrick also explores themes of belonging, of which Billy experiences a connection to people with. Billy draws upon sixteen year old schoolgirl Caitlin as an individual who shares similar values to he and whom can draw a positive sense of identity from. Dual narration in the chapter 'Caitlin' maps Billy's and Caitlin's acceptance of one another. Further the use of repetition in Billy's poem Comfort 'I hope it's someone to talk to someone to look in the eye knowing they’ll look back' emphasises the sense of belonging Billy has with Caitlin. The special relationship between the two allows them to temporarily remove themselves from their aspects of alienation and experience the joys of life. Not only do Caitlin and Billy foster a sense of belonging, so to does Old Bill, with whom Billy forms a connection with. Being a hobo figure like him, Billy admires Old Bill's strength, much like a father type figure. Billy is the catalyst in encouraging Old Bill to join back into society. In 'All that knowledge' we discover the Old Bill was once a succesful lawyer, attaining 'knowledge that hasn't been used in five years could come up with a solution' to free Billy from the welfare department. However it's the ultimate gift of Old Bill's keys to the house that symbolises the genuine testament of friendship held between Billy and Old Bill. This is further reinforced by the use of manipulated dramatic monologue 'I like the kid, I like his company' showing the path of acceptance the two characters have made of one another. The notion of belonging Is made apparent by Herrick. Like Herrick, Uncle Kracker in his song lyrics “Smile” employs visual and descriptive language techniques to demonstrate belonging with others and elements of positive changes that can occur from belonging. The song is very open to interpretation and Kracker's use of personal pronouns 'your better than the best' allows the audience to interpret the song on their own level, whether the song be based on a significant other, friend or family member. Kracker also breaks down the barrier with the audience, sharing a common connection of belonging. The use of consanants helps to establish early on a compassionate relationship and like Billy and Caitlin in the Simple Gift, the central protagonist has felt the significant other's positive imprint on their life “you make me smile like the sun, fall outta bed sing like a bird.” The repetition of the word 'like' directs the similes and positive connotations to beauty found in nature. 'Spin like a record crazy on a sunday night' represents the positive energy the person gets off this significant other. 'You make me dance like a fool..shine like gold buzz like a bee' use descriptive language and the symbolism of gold represents great value and worth which can be seen in the protagonists muse, greatly loved and irreplaceable. Uncle Kracker uses a reflective tone 'even when you're gone somehow you come along just like a flower poking through the side walk crack' as all humans can identify with an individual who brings simple happiness and pleasure to them amongst the mundane nature of trials that all humans experience. 'You steal away the rain and just like..You make me smile like the sun” uses juxtaposition of the rain, also symbolic of the difficult clouding times juxtaposed with the warmth and comfort of the sun, radiating love. The use of hyperbolic, accumulative description '...dance like a fool forget how to breathe shine like gold buzz like a bee' further reinforces the belonging Kracker experiences with this individual. Uncle Kracker's song 'Smile' exemplifies the role of friends, family and significant others that have a positive imprint on our life, bringing a sense of love and belonging and sense of identity. Not belonging would steer the protagonist away from the positive influence that the significant other has had upon their life. Kracker effectively employs a metaphoric description of the individual as better than the best and personal pronouns. Like Billy, Old Bill struggles with not belonging. Having lost his wife and beloved daughter Jessie, Old Bill finds It difficult to move forward from the pain lurking in the past. As a barrier of defence, Old Bill isolates himself from society, reinforced by the use of alcohol and smoking to escape. The sentence 'I closed the door...and walked away' and the poem 'The House' let the audience in on Old Bill's inability to deal with the loss of his loved ones; leading him to yet another challenge of facing isolation from the community. Herrick's use of enjambment in 'Old Bill's Fall' “My sweet lovely Jessie fell and I fell with her and i've been falling every since' vocalises further attention to Old Bill's sense of isolation. Old Bill in his sorrowful state experiences the path to belonging, forged by Billy, though at first not positively reciprocated, 'p.i.s.s off kid leave me alone.' However, Billy's true nature and determination helps Old Bill to conjure up the shadows of the past and finally move forward. The use of reflective tone In 'Old Bill', “the kid must be fifteen or sixteen at the most..give way to a b.u.m. like me” shows Old Bill's respect for Billy as the primary source of motivation. The routine of breakfast in 'The Kid' “he's got me waking early and eating a decent breakfast” shows a positive change in Old Bill; so much that he will 'work on less beer...for the kid's sake.” Caitlin, contrastingly to Billy and Old Bill is surrounded by the wealth of materialistic items, however despite this, she is unsatisfied and struggles to find an internal sense of belonging with her family. Coming from an upper class family, Caitlin feels like her parents are trading love for materialistic items and yearns for freedom and independence that can come with belonging. Working part time at McDonald's allows Caitlin to disconnect herself from her family and Caitlin's poem 'Too Rich' discusses her personal views that although she doesnt need to work, she does 'so I can leave home.' Billy's urgent tone 'how could I leave the only town i've ever wanted to call home, and Caitlin..' from Early, or late symbolises Caitlin's importance and the value Billy places on Bendarat. Further, the use of positive connotations made apparent in 'Heaven', that being with Billy is 'like stepping into heaven, no less than perfect' signifies the positive connection formed. Caitlin must now face her alienation with her family, contrastingly with Billy whom views the world similarly as she does and holds similar values. Caitlin's sense of comfort and refuge with Billy is a factor evidently missing with her own family. Metamorphosising from an insecure school girl to an independent young woman, Billy helps Caitlin to gain confidence. Through belonging with Billy, Caitlin finds the courage to face her family, expressed in 'Saturday Dinner', “I'll walk into mum and dad's questions and i'll answer them..truthfully.” The audience can identify a new attitude and changed woman In Caitlin. The 'walk' reiterates the journey Caitlin has undertaken, she will no longer back down regardless of the consequences.