China Coin & Swallow the Air Essay

Today in this society belonging is one of the essentials we need to survive. We all need to depend on other people and we also seek to be needed. Therefore, physically we cannot avoid belonging. However identity, relationships and culture as our basic sense to belonging, we can choose to reject or to accept these connections. The understanding of these aspects of belonging has been demonstrated in the following texts “The China Coin” by Allan Baillie and “Swallow the Air” by Tara June Winch.
Our sense of belonging are mostly based on our relationship to people, a good relationship can easily give you a sense of security and belonging, however a bad one can make us feel alienated and rejected easily. “The China Coin” showed us the change in the relationship of Leah and her mother Joan as the story goes on. At the beginning of the book, Leah and Joan had a hostile relationship; many small and insignificant signs have expressed it in different ways. “Leah felt the hot fingers scoring her face as she toppled over the bed”. This is after Joan had hit Leah, as we can see this is an unusual relationship between a mother and a daughter, a negative family relationship is the biggest reason that makes us feel isolation. However as the story develops, their relationship starts changing as well. “How do you feel Mum?” Leah was just relieved to see Joan conscious” Leah was very worried about her mother’s health after the motorbike accident. This has conveyed to the readers Leah is accepting Joan as a family and caring for her. This has strengthened Leah’s mental connection to her mother.
In another case, “Swallow the Air” by Tara June Winch is a novel featuring the main character, May and her quest to find her own sense of belonging. Throughout the series of interconnected stories, May feels as though she belongs with many people, her mother June included. With June ending her life within the first chapter, there are many metaphors signifying June. “Jacaranda petals and