Romulus My Father Analysis

Romulus, my father is a Memoir written by Raimond, Romulus’s son is about Romulus and his journey and life in Australia in the early 1950’s. This memoir explores the concept of belonging through many topics such as Romulus and his immigration experience from Yugoslavia to Australia. It explores the shared beliefs and values of Romulus and his son Raimond. It also explores the concept of belonging through the different family member perspective of the landscape and the connections within Romulus family.
Romulus, My father explores the immigration experience and demonstrates that the process can involve alienation and dislocation, often balanced by a growing sense of acceptance. Romulus was born and raised in Markovac, Yugoslavia Despite being in Yugoslavia, Markovac is located in an area which they speak Romania. Romulus is connected to its inhabitants by language that provides a sense of belonging to that nation, this makes is hard when Romulus migrants to Australia in the hope to improve his wife’s health. Upon arriving at Bonegilla Romulus
In Romulus, my father Raimond explores his own connections to place and the contrasting responses of his parents. Many first generation migrants are unable to build a connection to a landscape that is a stark contrast from what they know. For Christine this creates disaffection and imposes on her ability to feel as though she belongs. Raimond sense of belonging to the landscape and transcendence is shown through his understanding of the place. Raimond is able to draw inspiration from the land allowing his to look towards nature as a sense of Solace. This shows the influential power of the surroundings as a means of nurturing their sense of belonging. ‘ I had absorbed my fathers attitude. To the country side, especially to it’s scraggy trees, because he talked so often of the beautiful trees of