Immigrant Chronicle Belonging Analysis

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Belonging is a perception, and varies from person to person, based on experiences and beliefs. The choices governing belonging may be up the individual – to accept the opportunity or reject it and consequences that follow. It can be argued that humans, being social creatures, need to belong to fulfil their emotional needs, moreover, belonging is part of the human condition, people seek it out subconsciously and no one can escape it entirely. First generation Australian poet Peter Skrzynecki’s reflective anthology Immigrant Chronicle, a collection of semi-autobiographical poems published in 1975 explores the concept of belonging through the use of circular imagery, sensual language and metaphors, carrying a strong sense of ambiguity throughout…show more content…
The intentionally unnamed narrator uses materialism to shape his identity “I had become a slave to the Ikea nesting instinct”. Through this characterisation, Fincher is making a social comment on the materialistic, “yuppie” mindset society has adopted. The tongue-in-cheek comment “I had it all. I had a decent stereo, a wardrobe that was getting very respectable. I was close to being complete” shows that the Narrator was never emotionally satisfied with basing his identity on superficial factors, constantly searching for ways to escape it like anonymous support groups comprised of unconditional inclusion “ If I didn't say anything, people always assumed the worst”. The narrator subconsciously rejects his own identity to hide behind the idealistic façade of Tyler Durden, a representation of the identity the narrator strives for “All the ways you wish you could be, that's me. I look like you wanna look… I am smart, capable, and I am free in all the ways that you are not.” Ironically, the narrator is unable to fulfil any of his emotional needs until he accepts his true identity, and sheds that of…show more content…
It can be argued that we often search for a place to belong subconsciously. An example of this from Immigrant Chronicle is “Nationalities sought/Each other out instinctively-/like a homing pigeon” showing Stryznecki’s experience with the way people gravitate to others they can relate to, using the bird simile to represent freedom and alternately, displacement. The Narrator from Fight Club is a prime example of subconsciously seeking out belonging. The creation of the idyllic alter ego, Tyler Durden, symbolises the Narrator’s need to belong. While there is a strong level of admiration and kinship, the Narrator is easily threatened by the prospect of alienation and often over-reacts to exclusion, for example the quotes “I am Jack's inflamed sense of rejection” and “I am Jack’s broken heart” show the level of reliance the Narrator has on Durden. 1984 offers an alternate perspective on the subconscious need to belong. Julia is unintentionally drawn to Winston – “It was something in your face… I’m very good and spotting people who don’t belong… I knew you were against them” Another example of this is Winston’s fanatical pursuit of The Brotherhood and the Party Resistance movement, as he is searching for others with mirroring beliefs to belong
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