Belonging Essay

The development of acceptance is a process laid upon several significant factors and by belonging, one may gain confidence and feel tolerated. Likewise, being alienated and ostracised can have a negative influence on how one may act, and thus social outcasts are made to feel inferior because of the harmful manner in which they are treated. These concepts of inclusion and discrimination are explored through the contemporary memoir of Anh Do, which focuses on a refugee’s journey from Vietnam to Australia. The Happiest Refugee methodically displays an array of perspectives surrounding belonging, and presents factors of both family and community allegiance.

In Anh Do’s heartwarming and inspiring memoir The Happiest Refugee, the author elicits the prosperous adventure of a migrant family that come across various personal and memorable experiences. The central theme of a migrant family is established through their successful journey to Australia. Anh Do portrays this theme through the life lessons he learns from his parents, furthermore he is given a variety of opportunities where he could earn money and contribute to the family’s income. His academic endeavors at school is depicted through his lucrative career as a comedian and an university student.

Belonging is a complex, multi-faceted concept encompassing a wide range of different aspects. The need to belong to family and culture is a universal human need which provides a sense of value and emotional stability, and in many respects forges one’s identity. Alienation and disconnection often creates feelings of isolation, depression and loss of identity. A struggle with cultural identity is evident in Peter Skrzynecki’s poems ‘Migrant Hostel’ and ‘Feliks Skrzynecki’, where he examines a division between his pre-war Polish heritage and his newfound Australian way of life. The movement away from his European cultural heritage towards a more Australian identity created disorientation for Skrzynecki, and these feelings of disconnection

The Happiest Refugee written in 2011, is an award winning autobiography portraying ones will to survive amongst extreme hardships. Above all, the story displays resilience and optimism at their finest, despite the setbacks and adversities faced by Anh and his family. Readers as a result are invited to empathise with the hardships confronted by refugees, in turn enlightening them to be grateful for the many pleasures

The Happiest Refugee is a memoir written by Anh Do which was first published on the 1st of August in 2010. It is regarded as one of the most influential and well-received novels in the world of literature for its great insight on the life of refugees. The book provides a universal message to its readers about the suffering of human beings during wars and their struggle to make a better life in a foreign country. The Happiest Refugee is about Anh Do and his family’s journey from

The migrant experience varies for each person, some will have endured traumatic episodes in their life and these experiences are explored in Skrzynecki’s poetry. Through thorough interpretations of Peter Skrzynecki poems, ‘Crossing the Red Sea’, ‘Migrant Hostel’ and ‘Immigrants at Central Station’ the responder gains insight into the emigration experience which encompasses the physical and emotionally draining journey which is a result of the grave uncertainty and doubt lingering around the migrants future. Despite this, through each of his poems the composer also alludes to a future filled with hope and a sense of belonging.

A lack of belonging can destroy a sense of placement in society. This statement is thoroughly explored in the poem, ‘Migrant Hostel’ by Peter Skrzynecki, investigating the concepts of alienation and dislocation through the migrant’s lack of acceptance by the Australian citizens. The migrants are also unable to find a fixed home, and therefore feel no sense of stability or permanence. This transitory nature is best identified in the simile, ‘We lived like birds of a passage/Always sensing a change/In the weather’, where the comparison to birds emphasises the absence of a home. It is clear that the migrants feel unable to adapt to Australian society, constantly moving and never settling. The migrant’s exclusion is further highlighted in the lines,

As the poem comes to a close, Skrzynecki raises the notion of leaving behind the hostel, whilst simultaneously describing the collective identity of immigrants against a collective identity of Anglo-Australians. A gate is personified and symbolised in the quote, "As it [the gate] rose and fell like a finger, Pointed in reprimand and in shame." This symbolises the attitude of Australian nationals to immigrants flooding into the country at the time; where the gate is representing the opinion of the general Australian public hinted by the gate as disapproval and rejection.

The understandings and diversities of each immigrant and their experiences underlies in a range of issues they encounter such as rights, freedoms, beliefs, power, entrapment etc… All of which are a common understanding when used in comparison towards the migrants lives using the poignant aspect of imagery and journey’s within the poem “Immigrants at Central Station, 1951”. The experiences and perceptive in this poem help perceive an understanding of the immigrants experiences towards the new world of which displays the integrity, emotion and suffering towards the new world and we as the readers are engaged into these aspects of life through trains, time, control and journeys.

Yes, It IS an essential human need, but…. then…. What happens when an individual doesn’t feel like they belong. What if… this same “essential” sense of belonging, the same “need” to belong, is what barricades and imprisons us? What effects can not belong have on individuals?

How has your understanding of the concept of belonging been shaped by the representation of relationships and events that you have encountered in the texts you have studied for the Area of Study: Belonging?

People’s perceptions of belonging can change over time, but this isn’t the case for all. When people experience moments of crisis in their lives they sometimes force a change within themselves and that is what helps them find an individual sense of belonging. This is highlighted in many texts and even composers life works. Texts that support this statement include Peter Skrzynecki’s Immigrant Chronicle poems, of which I have chosen St Patricks College and Feliks Skrzynecki. Skrzynecki’s poetry expresses the difficulties he faces when change doesn’t occur throughout time, as time alone isn’t a factor and that your sense of belonging is something that comes from within, with or without anyone.

The development of acceptance is a process laid upon several significant factors, and by belonging in community settings, one may gain confidence and feel tolerated. Likewise, being alienated and ostracised because of racial and social insecurities can have a negative influence on how one may act, and thus outcasts are made to feel inferior as a result of the harmful manner in which they are treated. These concepts of inclusion and discrimination are explored through the contemporary memoir of Anh Do, which focuses on a refugee’s journey from Vietnam to Australia. The Happiest Refugee (2010) methodically displays an array of perspectives surrounding belonging and presents factors of both family and community allegiance.

Belonging to a person or group of people is the fundamental basis for happiness in life, bringing a sense of similitude, comfort, and safety, impacting on the choices you make and your life’s course. Two things that greatly influence an individual’s perspective of belonging are your family, and social status, as they can shape how a person perceives themselves, and ultimately how they perceive belonging. The heart-warming story of a Vietnamese refugee portrayed in the memoir “The Happiest Refugee” (2010) by Australian author and comedian Anh Do reveals how important an individual’s sense of belonging is, as it influences who you are, and what you will become.

‘An individual’s interaction with others and the world around them can enrich or limit their experience of belonging.’