Belonging_,_Perception

How does perception influence people’s belonging' “Belonging” is a multifaceted concept that highlights our inherent need to feel a connection with others. Due to its essential complexity, the varying perceptions of belonging exist not merely between, but also within individuals, and are evolutionary in nature, shaped by the extent of social acceptance and understanding. Perceptions and ideas of belonging, or of not belonging, can vary. These perceptions are shaped within personal, cultural, historical and social contexts. A sense of belonging can emerge from the connections made with people, places, groups, communities and the larger world. Texts may also represent choices not to belong, or barriers which prevent belonging. In the poem Feliks Skrzynecki by Peter Skrzynecki, Feliks and Peter have different perceptions of belonging in Australia and the necessity of belonging in Australia. Feliks, the father, represents an alienation of an older migrant while Peter experiences the gradual integration of acceptance and affiliation in a new society, his personal and historical context of being a labourer. Peter's contrasting sense of alienation comes from his cultural context of being surrounded by Polish culture but never having been there himself and his personal context of experience of education. 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. Not all people’s perceptions can change over time and sometimes it is ourselves that prevent us from finding a sense of belonging. St Patricks College is a reflective piece about the school Skrzynecki’s mother chose for him to go to. A detached tone is immediately established in Stanza 1 when the composer uses formal language to begin with; “Impressed by the uniforms of her employer’s sons, mother enrolled me at St Pat’s” continued with sarcasm when saying “What was best.” This reveals that the choice was made for the young Skrzynecki who is seen to harbour a slight resentment at being forced to belong to such an environment. The simile “Caught the 414 bus, like a foreign tourist, uncertain of my destination” conveys that the composer felt like an outsider and was taken over by unenthusiastic feelings; also implied by the low modality establishing the doubt and uncertainty such an environment could bring. The repetition of “For eight years” shows that time had not mended his inability to belong; it had only made it more evident and harder to deal with his internalised guilt.