Jellicoe Road Belonging

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There is an innate human need to belong, and throughout time people have struggled to find a sense of connection to the environment and to those around them. A sense of belonging is a significant factor of shaping an individuals’ sense of self, a connection can be found through relationships and a free environment. This notion can be seen in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Melina Marchetta’s 2006 novel, On the Jellicoe road, and Gary Ross’ 1998 film, Pleasantville. Relationships are an inherent part of the human condition, and ultimately it is relationships forged in a free environment that lead people to overcome the struggle to belong and find a sense of belonging. In As you like It the characters find a sense of belonging through the honest relationships they forge with each other in the Forest of Arden away from the restrictions of the court to which they are accustomed. That a feeling of belonging can transcend obligation is shown with Celia, stating “I cannot live out of her company,” which is ironic as she…show more content…
Physical surroundings may constrain and affect a person’s ability to feel connected, reflected in the statement “now we go in content to liberty and not to banishment,” In banishment ironically there will be more freedom than in court, further shown through the statement “doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat: therefore courage” a metaphor for the courage Rosalind feels in disguise the doublet and hose a symbol for her male costume, “So fare you well; I have left you commends” dressed as a man Rosalind is free from the constraints of being a woman and her father’s daughter and is able to take control and overcome the struggle to belong, Ironically in her disguise she feels a greater sense of courage and belonging. Similarly, In the 1989 film, Dead Poets Society, it can be seen that, the need to feel connected to those
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