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.
The bond between people who unconditionally love and support each other creates a powerful sense of belonging and safety that empowers individuals to never give up, no matter what the circumstance. When Anh was on the boat from his previous home of Vietnam, it was attacked by a band of pirates who threatened to take his baby brother Khoa’s life in the absence of valuables such as gold. However, his father had no intention of letting this happen, and shouted “‘We must save the child! We will fight to the death to SAVE THE CHILD!’”. The capital letters and repetition of the phrase emphasise the power conveyed by the words, creating a stressful tone that highlights the urgency of the situation. When Anh’s father shouts “‘SAVE THE CHILD’”, the audience realises the profound love that he felt for his son, and was willing to
One’s understanding of belonging can broaden their understanding and acceptance of themselves and the world around them. The statement that we all strive to belong is true, however it may take time to belong to a certain person, place, group, community or even the larger world. This issue is explored in Raimond Gaita’s biographical memoir Romulus, My Father and Khaled Hosseini’s confronting novel The Kite Runner. Throughout these texts, the themes of personal relationships, migrant experience and morals and values arise from the concept of
Good Afternoon teachers and students, The following texts express how an individuals understanding of belonging can quickly be changed by the people and place around them. “Jasper Jones a novel written by Craig Silvey”, it is a short story of a boy named Charles Butkins and the events that occurred because he helped Jasper Jones mask the death of Laura Wishart. “Australia by Ania Walwicz”, is attacking the people of Australia in the form of a poem, because of their point of views and attitudes in life. She also hates Australia itself because the people are not welcoming, this is the main point of this poem.
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.
Anh's success is ultimately defined by his parent's teachings. In Anh Do's memoir, “The Happiest Refugee”, his accomplishments are explored through his relationship with his family and his career as an established comedian. After fleeing the torn society of Vietnam, the Do family resettle in Australia and begin their new life with more opportunities and chances for success. Anh's parents are accountable for part of his success. Although Anh seems to be the most accomplished in his family, none of his accomplishments and personal traits would have been obtained if it was not for his parents. Anh succeeds throughout his life because of his parents. Anh's resilience is a positive reflection of his parent's guidance. His mother sacrificed a
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.
Anh Do’s story is a timely reminder of the plight of refugee in our country. Discuss the Happiest Refugee in the light of Do’s universal message about the suffering of human beings during times of war and the struggle to make a better life in a foreign country.
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.
This essay is about the universal refugee experience and the hardships that they have to go through on their journey. Ha from Inside Out and Back Again and other refugees from the article “Children of War” all struggle with the unsettling feeling of being inside out because they no longer own the things that mean the most to them. Ha and the other refugees all encounter similar curiosities of overcoming the finding of that back again peaceful consciousness in the “new world” that they are living in .
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
An individual’s sense of belonging is determined not only by their own choices but also by the attitudes of others.
An individual 's sense of belonging is determined not only by their own choices but also attitudes of others.
The Happiest Refugee is a novel that effectively portrays the importance of family relationships, emphasising the power of strong family ties. A family relationship, is a bond of love and care that is shared between almost all human civilisation. This connection acts as a pillar of strength throughout tough times, as exemplified through Anh and his family’s journey to Australia. The incorporation of anecdotes throughout the novel allowed Anh to pin point specific events in his life and discuss it in a short amusing story. He was able to use this technique to further value the importance of family relationship. This is reflected from the following example; at the age of thirteen, Anh’s father left him and his family due to his alcoholic problems, however a few years later the drunken father walked into the house asking where Anh’s mother was. However Anh stated “You stupid fool. You no longer have the right to order
Our cohort is nearing the end of its secondary education and therefore it is important that we reflect on the ways in which it has shaped our attitudes, values and beliefs. For example, over the past five years, we have read, analysed and evaluated various literary works such as novels, plays, poems and films in our English studies. These texts have expressed various ideologies, explored interesting themes and introduced us to fascinating characters. These elements have left a lasting impression on our attitudes, values and beliefs. In addition to this, English literary texts have provided us with historical knowledge as well as a thorough understanding of the role that aesthetic devices
Lj Smith, the author of the Vampire Diaries, wrote, “...but right now everything looks strange to me, as if I don’t belong here. It is me that is out of place, and the worst thing is that I feel there’s somewhere that I do belong, but I just can’t find it.” In 2016 65.3 million people are refugees around the world that are displaced throughout the United Nations. These people now have to adjust to a new life, in a new country, and a new “home.” Although some might believe that newcomers, immigrants, and refugees adjust and adapt to culture easily, Lahiri illustrates through Interpreter of Maladies the difficulties and issues men and women experience when adjusting to a place and culture where they do not feel at ease.
As we grow as develop as individuals we begin to make choices about where we want to find belonging. This can be seen in choices as minor as belonging to a football club or friendship group, to more life-altering choices such as being a member of a political party or protest group such as Green peace. As individuals make such choices they do not sacrifice their identities, but rather work to increase and from their ever-changing sense of self. Such choices can also be made after life-altering circumstances, such as when people feel a need to join victim’s group or support groups when they or a loved one contract a chronic or terminal illness.