belonging- Peter Skrzynecki Essays

belonging- Peter Skrzynecki Essays belonging- Peter Skrzynecki Essay belonging- Peter Skrzynecki Essay Q: Explore how relationships with humans and to place affect an individuals sense of belonging. Human beings, like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, and not in the atmosphere of rejection. The inability to accept the realities of a new world and its surroundings is a consistent challenge where individuals must struggle not only with their personal obstacles, but also with the adversity of discovering a sense of affiliation in an antagonistic culture neighboring them. Peter Skrzyneckis widely acknowledged oems Immigrant Chronicles and Peter Weirs universally acclaimed film The Catcher in the Rye both exhibit the way ones disconnectedness to person or place affects an individuals resistance to belonging. These two texts also accentuate the fundamental need for individuals to conform to social expectations and identify themselves as a part of an accepted normality. Some may say, in order to associate with certain people or a particular place, we must identify ourselves. But Peter Skrzyneckis Immigrant chronicles namely the Migrant Hostel suggest that to belong we must conform to social expectations and in turn suppress our individuality. The uncertain nature and impermanence of the Hostel creates a metaphoric barrier to inclusion along with the Juxtaposition of Comings and goings which implies a sense of chaos and instability. This constant changing of the hostel arrivals of newcomers averts Skrzynecki from discovering a place of affinity. The poet ultimately accentuates the great burden migrants must undergo in a contradicting society, further reinforcing the distinct sense of inclusion n individual may gain from cultural and societal influences. Furthermore the migrants isolation from the outside world is displayed as a physical symbol of alienation A barrier at the main gate, sealed from the highway as it rose and fell like a finger. This strengthens the migrants entrapment and marginalization through bureaucratic oppression. Moreover the complex symbol of the barrier further illustrates the oppressively Judgmental finger of authority and calls attention the idea that the migrants are outsiders, barred off from mainstream society. Skrzynecki explicitly enables the reader to have a thorough perception of any individuals desire to discover their sense of self despite the harsh atmosphere. Failing to personify ones innermost identity will result in an individuals need to adapt to social normality, and in turn break out of the shell of individualism. The Failure to connect to people and social environments may haunt oneself provoking an identity crisis. Peter Skrzyneckis Immigrant chronicles specifically Ancestors evokes ones distress and hesitation about re-rooting to ancestral culture. The poem reinforces the unique sense of inclusion brought to individual by forging connections with the physical world. What secrets do they whisper into the darkness-why do their eyes never close? Skrzynecki echoes the personas turmoil through repetitious rnetorlcal questlons. Ancestors Olsplays tne aeslre 0T an Inalvlaual to evade alienation from culture, heritage and land of birth and their longing to determine the value of their inheritance. The physical image of the ancestors is momentous; they tand Shoulder to Shoulder around the persona and give an impression that they are concealing a secret. Moreover the poem displays the personas attempt to identify the essence of the ascendants and how they could be included with them and in their diverse world. Skrzynecki further highlights the desire to explore as the inheritor of a past unknown, enabling the reader to culminate with a thorough vision of the unique forms of correlation an individual may sense when reflecting on the past and discovering their innate self.