The Island Belonging Analysis

Belonging Draft Essay

Belonging is an essential necessity installed in every human being. There are however, many factors which can affect one’s sense of belonging, whether it is through alienation, insecurity or lack of connection. This notion of not belonging is thoroughly explored through Peter Skrzynecki’s Immigrant Chronicle: St Patrick’s College and in the visual, The Island by Armin Greder. St Patrick’s College is a recount of integrated moments of belonging and not belonging which focuses on the persona’s past schooling life. In relation, The Island is a visual representation of social exclusion of an individual and alienation.
The tendency to want to belong is explored in St Patrick’s College. The persona states that his mother wanted “only what was best.” This direct quote defines how the persona’s mother aspires to find a sense of belonging to her son by enrolling him at St Patricks’ college because she saw it as the best. This can be furthermore supported by the fact that she was “impressed by the uniforms of her employer’s sons.” This goes to show she was impressed by
social reasons, and the perception that one finds a sense of belonging by having what is best. However, as the poem unfolds, the persona glances up at a statue of Mary, with her “outstretched arms.” The religious allusion demonstrates a sense of inclusion and belonging. Nevertheless, he continues stating, “her face overshadowed by clouds.” This statement undercuts the religious allusion and portrays that the persona is still too young and innocent and does not therefore feel a sense of connectedness and belonging to religion.
The Island by Armin Greder is a picture book which clearly defines a perception of belonging. The title is ironic in that it conjures up an image of a tropical setting, tranquility and serene existence. However, the strong unfolds to articulate strong notions of not belonging as a result of exclusion and alienation. This relates to the prescribed text in that the persona, in St Patricks’ College, is made to feel “like a foreign tourist.” The effect of the simile conveys the perception that not belonging is a result of social exclusion and alienation. The use of bland illustrations also helps to furthermore outline the strangers physical difference and to enhance the social barriers and reinforce the idea of not belonging.
Similarly, in St Patricks’ College, the persona progresses through his school years.
He experiences integrated moments of belonging and not belonging which is identified in the third stanza where the persona “walks strathfield’s paths and streets” and “played chasings up and down” for “eight years.” This represents repetitive life and the perception that belonging is a result of being part of a group and/or inclusion. Peter Skrzynecki uses enjambment and listing to not only list the highlights of his schooling life, but also as a clever technique to compress time into a meaningless period. This furthermore reinforces the notion not belonging due to the lack of connection and dissociation to the school. Again, he “could say the Lord’s prayer in Latin, all in one breath.” This suggests the persona said it without meaning and therefore it outlines his lack of belonging to
faith.
In The Island, the figure portrayed is excluded. This is supported by the three figures in the background who are pointing in shame or reprimand. They are depicted scowling at the figure who in turn, depicts a distraught facial expression. The idea of not belonging is also depicted though the choice of colours. The figures in the background are represented in warm neutral colours. This contrasts the figure in the foreground, who is depicted white. This aids to conclude the stranger’s physical differences and to elevate that notion of not belonging due to social exclusion and alienation.
In conclusion, St Patricks’ College and The Island are both representations of social exclusion and alienation. *Help with Conclusion?*

Karim Alkadmani