Belonging In Peter Skrzynecki's Poems

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Exploring the concept and significance of belonging broadens and deepens an individual’s understanding of themselves and their world and others by the by introducing the individual to different kinds of belonging such as belonging to a place, friendship group, family or thing, or being ostracized, being ostracized due to irreconcilable differences, cultural barriers, or simply just choosing not to belong. Texts such as Peter Skrzynecki’s poems “St Patrick’s College” and “10 Mary Street “ and Jodi Picout’s novel “Nineteen Minutes” all demonstrate different aspects of belonging that can assist individuals in further deepening their understanding of belonging. Not belonging is a common theme among Skrzynecki’s poems, can be used as a prime tool to expand one's understanding of themselves. This theme reoccurs in the poem “St Patricks College”. The persona attended the…show more content…
The persona does not use any inclusive language in the poem, the persona appears to be alone the entire time, even when speaking of playing games such as "chasings". The personas use of dark imagery also reflects their sense of entrapment within the school and that he doesn't belong to or understand the school values and that he will be free to "let [his] light shine" when he leaves school. Much like the poem, St Patrick's college, skrzynecki's poem 10 Mary Street focuses on the personas relationship with certain locations and buildings. The poem demonstrates how an individuals interaction with with the world around them can deepen and enrich their understanding and experience of belonging. In the poem, the house is described as a member of the family and gives the characters and persona a place of refuge and belonging. The personas use of personification when describing the house reflects the personas relationship and love for the house as it stood there in its "china blue

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