Belonging Speech Essay

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The process of belonging creates dilemmas, dilemmas meaning a difficult decision imposed on an individual. Ladies and gentlemen, the syllabus states that belonging has a wide context; meaning there are many related factors associated with the dilemmas of belonging because of the simple truth- that belonging affects us all. I can personally testify to the extent to which this is true, by the simple fact that as a child I was the only Vietnamese boy at predominately Anglo school. To fit in, I had no choice but to play footy and to enjoy cricket. Yes, this sounds clichéd – but it nevertheless speaks of the conformity that the belonging process often demands in order to overcome the dilemmas associated with belonging. Thus, belonging in a sense can be paradoxical; That in order for one to ‘belong,’ one must often lose a sense of identity. However, in order to positively belong, one must first construct themselves as an individual to know where they belong. These notions of belonging are demonstrated in Heat and Dust, Eveline and Kindness. Belonging cannot be conferred or passively accept, but must be established once we construct ourselves individually. Heat and Dust portrays belonging as a primal aspect, yet shows how different connects can shape various perceptions on belonging. Heat and Dust revolves around a journey of the narrator from London to India, where she retraces the footsteps of her past relative Olivia.The bi-temporal narrative frames contrast Olivia and the Narrator, and demonstrate the dilemmas of belonging and maternal fulfilment. Olivia is shown to be a passive victim of the ‘male gaze’ and rejects the Indian lifestyle. This is shown through the symbolism of her “shut doors and windows.” The “shut doors and windows” metonymically suggest there is a barrier between Olivia and her need to positively belonging in India. Through these actions, Olivia
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