Belonging may fulfil our emotional needs, it has the ability to decide or alters one’s mind, and it may provide us the joy that we need from a sense of acceptance or the unpreventable discomfort from isolation. Belonging is shaped within the personal experience; it has the power to change us, emotionally and physically. Texts show us the importance of belonging as they explore the many aspects, including the potential to enrich or challenge a belief. This is reflected through the anthology, “Immigrant chronicle” written by the Australian-Polish poet, Peter Skrzynecki. Through his knowledge but mainly his own experiences, Skrzynecki conveys the difficulties of belonging, not belonging and the barriers …show more content…
Although the very first line of the poem, “my gentle father” shows a sign of acceptance and admiration of his father, Skrzynecki’s overall statement shows resentment, dissatisfaction and alienation, “Watched me pegging my tents further and further south of Hadrians Wall”, Hadrians Wall used as a symbol comparing the differences of his culture and heritage with his father. Likewise the poem ’Migrant hostel’ was written in Parkes, 1949-51, which happened to be during the time of ‘White Australia’ policy. The fact Skrzynecki wrote this poem in ‘Parkes’ he was only further alienating him from where he is and it creates a barrier to society which can damage him emotionally. The first stanza Skrzynecki expresses isolation, dehumanisation, uncertainty and curiosity. That was the environment Skrzynecki lived in for two years. “Like a homing pigeon” Skrzynecki lived in the chaotic hostel crossing paths with the people he shared a room with. The hostel became a place for everyone to rest which formed a sense of belonging as the reason why they are there together was driven “By memories of hunger and