Peter Skrzynecki's Immigrant Chronicle

“How have the composers of the texts you have studied present a perspective on the significance of belonging or not belonging?”

Belonging is undeniably a significant and innate part of human nature, offering one senses of identity, security and affiliation. Peter Skrzynecki’s anthology of poems Immigrant Chronicle epitomises the struggles associated with migration, demonstrating that to belong requires an understanding and recognition of one’s identity. It is also essential to establish relationships with people and places, as shown by Jutta Malnic’s representation of anecdotes in Born Again. Although the duality of belonging encompasses the reverse, as a lack of identity, security and affinity leads to an ephemeral state of belonging,
In “Migrant Hostel” Skrzynecki acknowledges the common desire which individuals have to belong, yet understands the difficulties presented due to the lack of interaction within the hostel where he desires to connect. The extended use of simile “Like a homing pigeon” and “lived like birds of passage” accentuates the instinctive need for humans to fulfill a sense of belonging as pigeons fly without restrictions. In contrast with this notion, the images of “barrier” and “main gate” introduce the personification of their entrapment in a situation that offers little sense of belonging, thereby inviting the responder to empathise with the migrants as the whole environment of the Hostel appears to be alive, rising up and threatening them. Furthermore, the simile embedded in personification “As it rose and fell like a finger pointed in reprimand or shame” emphatically illustrates that the gate is a powerful force, constantly rebuking the migrants, reminding them of their isolation from society. Skrzynecki explores the duality of belonging as an innate and significant part of human nature, offering one security and a sense of acceptance while the lack of these senses insinuates the reverse by leaving one isolated and