Belonging Flashcards
What is the main theme in ‘Feliks Skrzynecki’?
Family, a sense of place
Define belonging
The definition of belonging varies from person to person; it is open to all kinds of interpretation. To me belonging is a sense of enlightment felt when one gains an understanding of themselves in relation to others and the wider world
(Feliks Skrzynecki) What does the simile “loved his garden like an only child” suggest about peters father?
The quote suggests that his father takes pride in his garden and finds a sense of himself there because it is where he belongs, it provides a sense of poland, security and positive isolation
(Feliks skryznecki) how does feliks belong to his polish friends?
They are sources of acceptance, they share memories and reminisce about fertile farms and animals
(Feliks Skrzynecki) How is the poets distance from his parents heritage demonstrated?
Through the observation of how his father interacts with his polish friends. He suggests they “shook hands too violently”, as their interaction would not be acceptable and conducive to belonging in australian culture
(Feliks Skrzynecki) What rhetorical question suggests that Feliks has no interest in belonging in australia?
“Did your father ever attempt to learn english?”
(Feliks Skrzynecki) How is the poets sense of loss represented? What does this suggest?
It is represented by the Hardian’s wall metaphor: “after that like a dumb prophet, watched me pegging my tents, further and further south of hadrians wall”. It suggests that the son is aware that he will move further and further away from his father’s heritage, could also symbolise a barrier between father and son
What is the main idea in ‘Ancestors’?
Ancestors explores the relationship between the people of the past and the people of the present, and how this affects our ability to belong in the physical world
(Ancestors) The use on ‘what’, ‘who’, ‘why’, ‘where’ and ‘how long’ emphasises what?
The personas isolation
(Ancestors) What does the quote “beardless, faceless men/standing shoulder to shoulder” suggest?
Beards suggest age and wisdom, the poet wonders about their values as they cannot be clearly identified, shows the person considers his family and culture with anxiety as he is unable to make connections
(Ancestors) The simile “your tongue dry as caked mud” heightens what?
The responders awareness of discomfort
(Ancestors) What line is ambiguous? What does it suggest?
The last line: “the wind tastes of blood”. It suggests betrayal of his family or himself translated into violent terms
What is the tone of ‘Migrant Hostel’?
Bitterness
(Migrant Hostel) The quote “comings and goings” displays what?
The quotes displays a tone of instability
(Migrant Hostel) What simile exhibits the migrants insecurities and vulnerabilities? Why do they do so?
“Nationalities sought eachother out instinctively/like a homing pigeon”
They do so in order to feel safe, the migrants moved towards people who represented their culture
