Belonging enriches and challenges
A sense of belonging enriches and challenges. Through this, a sense of belonging is obtained from the challenges leading to the enrichment. The challenges and enrichments of belonging is explored through the choices of belonging, the sense of identity comes from the sense of belonging and the connections of belonging, which are all shown in Peter Skrzynecki’s two poems “Migrant Hostel” and “Post card”, the 1993 film “What’s eating Gilbert Grape?” directed by Lasse Hallström and the picture book “The Island” written and illustrated by Armin Greder.
The choice to or to not belonging is a challenge that influences enrichment. Peter Skrzynecki’s poem Migrant Hostel focuses on the struggle of choice of the migrant’s and their hope to assimilate and gain a sense of belonging into the Australian society. The metaphor of the ‘barrier at the main gate’ gives the sense that the migrants are caged within the hostel, proving to be a barrier to belonging. “As it rose and fell like a finger” personifies the Australian society, giving the migrants the sense that they are being judged and ostracised from the outside society, ironically the one they wish to join. The dehumanized language “arrivals and departures” and “comings and goings” also challenges the migrant’s sense of belonging as they are labeled and ostracised as different than the Australian society outside the “main gate.” These challenges however lead to an enrichment inside the hostel as “nationalities sought each other out”, giving a sense of belonging and choice within the hostel. To question, Lasse Hallström’s 1993 film “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” follows the story of Gilbert as he is challenged with the lack of choice to belong due to the responsibility of his family. The bleak depressing over voice of Gilbert at the beginning of the film already suggests a feed up appeal as the audience are visually shown the bare town, “Endora is like dancing to no music.” Arnie and...