Yolngu Boy Belonging Analysis

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Area of Study: Belonging Essay Community plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s sense of belonging as it influences how the world and its people are viewed. Belonging is a perception. Perceptions of belonging vary depending on the personal, cultural, historical and social contexts that have shaped an individual’s views. Community is an overpowering issue in shaping a person’s sense of belonging. Peter Skryznecki’s poem ‘Feliks Skrzynecki’ celebrates his father and documents the migrant experience of belonging in a new country and culture. His second poem ’10 Mary Street’ reflects on the family home and how this was integral to his family having a sense of belonging in Australia. The film ‘Yolngu Boy’ explores indigenous society,…show more content…
“Yolngu Boy” is a film about three boys caught between their traditional culture and white culture. “Yolngu Boy” examines the search for identity, growing up and the implications of belonging to a community. ‘Yolngu Boy’ demonstrates how past actions can effect a person’s ability to belong and how a community that was once inclusive can be exclusive. Botj is “walking on the wild side”, a lost soul who doesn’t really have a place where he feels he belongs, his family and aboriginal community have given up on him but his two childhood friends stand by him. He does not have the strong ties to home that Peter Skrzynecki discusses in ‘10 Mary Street.’ The use of close-up shots of Botj in the movie allow the audience to experience how Botj is feeling and the effect that not having a community bond is having on him. The boys’ trip to Darwin displays their strong bonds of friendship as a group; they will never be alone as they have ‘one skin’. There are numerous flashbacks throughout the film which highlight the boys’ upbringing and happy memories of belonging. On their trip to Darwin the boys rely on their aboriginal knowledge, Botj’s street instinct and the bonds of their friendship. Once the police track them down in Darwin, Botj realizes he will not be accepted into his old community so he leaves his friends. After sniffing petrol, he finds himself on a bridge where his life flashes before his eyes just as he is about to jump, he commits suicide. As in Dowrick’s article, Botj’s exclusion from his community demonstrates with dramatic effect that not belonging can

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