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Belonging: Feeling and Migrant Hostel

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Belonging: Feeling and Migrant Hostel
Belonging: Peter Skrzynecki study notes
Intro:
• Restate the topic
• Define : belonging is a universal feeling which gives an individual the sense of acceptance or isolation for themselves and their surroundings
• Name texts: o Migrant hostel, 10 Mary Street, St. Pats college, from PS Immigrant chronicle o LFA , Melina Marchetta
Paragraph One – Migrant Hostel
• Topic sentence – link to Migrant Hostel
• Technique, example, effect
• The poem describes the pessimistic experiences of the author and others in the Migrant hostel in Parkes
• Quotes: o ‘constant comings and goings’ – unpleasant situation, characterises mood of disappointment o “a barrier at the main gate sealed off the highway” – constant change, captivity, feel unsettled, unsure about themselves, barrier represents entrapment reinforced by the word sealed o “as it rose and fell like a finger” – simile – patronising attitudes and authorities o Changing environment creates the feeling of alienation and being alone o “no one kept count” – not belonging, feel like they are of no importance, o ‘wondering’ – connotations of confusion and absence of certainty o ‘bus loads’ – enhancing mood of chaos o “only begun or were dying” – contrast – suggesting their losing all their ties to their homeland as they fight to begin a new life
Paragraph two – Looking for Alibrandi, Melina Marchetta
• Mystery and uncertainty create frustration and isolation leaving the protagonists with the feeling of exclusion (link to MH)
• Teenage girl, Josie
• Faced with constant conflict b/w Aust. And Italian cultures – feeling if uncertainty about where she belongs
• Quotes: o “I think I had it worst. My mother was born here so as far as the Italians were concerned we weren’t one of them. Yet because my grandparents were born in Italy weren’t completely Australian” – juxtaposition of cultures – repetition of “weren’t” signifies how she feels she doesn’t belong – minimises sense of self and freedom to be an

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