Skrynecki Chronicle - Belonging

Depending on an individual’s relationship with a place, their perceptions of belonging can be influenced, if there is a positive connection between an individual and a place, they will belong, however if there was a negative connection in the past or in the present, they will not. The theme of isolation is greatly explored in the poem ‘St Pats college’ by Peter Skryznecki, as it shows that a negative connection to a place will result in a lack of belonging, whereas his other poem, ’10 Mary Street ‘explores the theme of the progression of time and how a good connection can be warm, welcoming and provide a sense of belonging. With the use of various techniques such as symbolism, imagery and repetition these poems highlight how perceptions of belonging and being unable to belong can by influenced by a connection to places. The short film ‘The lost thing’ by Shaun Tan is also testimony to this.

If an individual cannot successfully connect to their environment, there will be a struggle to belong. This is evident in the poem ‘ST Pats College’. The poet isolates himself from the college and therefore builds a poor connection, consequently he cannot belong. The protagonist’s isolation is emphasised with the use of symbolism, “Stuck pine needles in the motto”. This is symbolic for isolation as sticking pine needles in the motto shows that the individual doesn’t want to be part of the college and chooses to isolate himself. Through this technique, the theme of negative connections to a place causing a lack of belong is reinforced.

Within this poem the protagonist struggles to connect to his new school and chooses the path of isolation, The use of imagery in the verse “Our Lady watched, with outstretched arms, her face overshadowed by clouds” is used to show that the individual thinks twice about entering the school, the “outstretched arms” should be warm and welcoming giving a sense of belonging, however as the protagonists sees it “overshadowed by clouds”, a dark,