Belonging
Belonging is a major part of the human experience that can bring connection to the people you meet. These connections enable the reader to understand their own sense of belonging through the relationships they develops. Steven Herrick’s “The Simple Gift” is a free verse novel that uses the main characters to explore the idea of relationships leading to a sense of identity. This concept can also be examined in William Golding’s “Lord of the flies” and Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption. These texts convey the idea that through the connections with people; one can develop a very strong sense of identity and belonging.
Billy’s sense of belonging is impacted by his relationship with others. He describes him as abusive, mean and alcoholic shows how he feels about his father. Billy recounts the abuse he endured as a child “gave me one hard backhander across the face.” Herrick uses symbolism to reflect Billy’s abusive past by wild winds and rain “with the force of a father’s punch.” This show Billy has no support from his father or anything he does. Billy did not feel as though he belonged in his hometown due to his lack of relationships he had there. However, when Billy moves to Bendarat he met a girl called Caitlin. Their relationship proves that a sense of belonging can come together due to relationship. “Both Caitlin and Billy are attracted to physical and intellectual attributes in each other. Billy is attracted to Caitlin’s “bouncing, shiny, clean hair and her eyes.” Herrick use positive adjectives to reinforce his attraction. Caitlin is attracted to Billy’s manners. She describes him as “Homeless, and proud of it” showing that she finds his unexpected attitude refreshing. The use of imagery shows a strong bond between the two, Caitlin sees Billy as her “sunshine” and Billy view himself as a “badly dressed satellite/spinning crazily in orbit” around Caitlin. The use of metaphors demonstrates a strong positive romantic bond. Their sense of belonging
Billy’s sense of belonging is impacted by his relationship with others. He describes him as abusive, mean and alcoholic shows how he feels about his father. Billy recounts the abuse he endured as a child “gave me one hard backhander across the face.” Herrick uses symbolism to reflect Billy’s abusive past by wild winds and rain “with the force of a father’s punch.” This show Billy has no support from his father or anything he does. Billy did not feel as though he belonged in his hometown due to his lack of relationships he had there. However, when Billy moves to Bendarat he met a girl called Caitlin. Their relationship proves that a sense of belonging can come together due to relationship. “Both Caitlin and Billy are attracted to physical and intellectual attributes in each other. Billy is attracted to Caitlin’s “bouncing, shiny, clean hair and her eyes.” Herrick use positive adjectives to reinforce his attraction. Caitlin is attracted to Billy’s manners. She describes him as “Homeless, and proud of it” showing that she finds his unexpected attitude refreshing. The use of imagery shows a strong bond between the two, Caitlin sees Billy as her “sunshine” and Billy view himself as a “badly dressed satellite/spinning crazily in orbit” around Caitlin. The use of metaphors demonstrates a strong positive romantic bond. Their sense of belonging