Belonging Essay

Belonging or not belonging is a case an individual views as being determined by other but in actuality, it is their subjective view of their personal position in their social and cultural context, that truly determines their place in the world. This is especially so in Ruth Jhabvala’s “Heat and Dust” and “Going Home” by Archie Weller where the characters judgement of contexts are the catalysts for their decisions to either integrate or segregate from their ambient environment.
Whether an individual decides to seek a sense of belonging is dependent on the willingness of their social context in accepting them. In the presence of exclusivity, it can be seen that advancement towards being included can result in a reverse effect and leave one to feel more isolated than at first. Especially in relation to Olivia, her efforts to feel a part of the exclusive white society in India are returned with hostility in “Mrs Minnies took up the joke. Who will follow us..,” where symbolism and a sarcastic tone demonstrate her inferiority in comparison to themselves who they view as being of a higher standard. Through her response of “They would be happier without her,” her discouraged tone conveys how she is unable to become one of them and therefore makes a decision to retrieve from seeking a sense of belonging in this milieu.
Similarly, in Going Home, Billy attempts to be classed into the white society which allows him to obtain feelings of supremecy. However, he remains unaccompanied in this thought, with his social context unwilling to accept him in their select group. At first he perceives himself as a white with a “new car, new clothes, new life,” all of which are symbols of materialism exclusive to the white society. Also, through the repetition of “new,” his yearn to let go of his Aboriginal heritage and create a civil life is expressed. Though these materialistic items incentify feelings of belonging, specifically Billy’s, he is unable to maintain them due to the