Question - Belonging has been said to shape our identity. How does our sense of belonging shape who we are as individual?
An individuals relationship with others and the world creates a sense of belonging and additionally shapes a sense of identity. This is demonstrated in the poems "Migrant Hostel", "St Patrick's College" by Peter Skrzynecki and a novel "Tea With Arwa" written by Arwa El Masri. Both text illustrate that belonging is a notion that shapes an individual's identity. The factors that influence belonging and not belonging are Place, society and lastly identity.
The Text Migrant Hostel demonstrates that Peter Skrzynecki does not belong to the place migrant hostel. The promise of a place of belong - a new land and new opportunities. The Quote "To pass in and out of lives that had only begun or were dying" is an irony and also a juxtaposition as the words "begun or were dying" juxtapose their sense of belonging to Australia has already died before it even begun. The migrants wonder whether their new lives are starting or it ending as the quote creates a sense of ambiguity. They question whether immigrant's lives are about to have a fresh start or whether the arrival in Australia signifies the end of their culture. This clearly stated that relationship with others and the world can creates a sense of belonging and therefore shapes a sense of identity. However, Peter cannot find a sense of belonging because he cannot connect with the place.
The other text St Patrick's College demonstrates that Peter also cannot find a sense of belonging with the place. Peter was uncertain about his schooling years which represented through various activities he was involved during his journey to school. The school's values and beliefs prevent him to feel a sense of belonging to that institution. "Like a foreign tourist, uncertain of my destination" is a simile that demonstrates Peter does not belong to the world. His cultural heritage