The Sense of Belonging in Peter Skrzynecki’s and Armin Greder’s Poems

A need to belong is an integral component of all individuals. An individual’s sense of belonging is relied on the relationships they form within their lifetime. Their experiences are the key to building strong relationships, it determines whether a sense of belonging is created or destroyed. This is clear through the poems ‘Migrant Hostel’ and ‘St Pats’ by Peter Skrzynecki and the picture book, The Island by Armin Greder. Throughout these texts it is evident that in a negative, fast paced and anonymous environment relationships can’t be formed. If one is unwilling to belong to their environment, they will form no connection to it or others and when others purposefully exclude an individual, strong relationship can’t be formed and an individual will be denied a sense of belonging.

When an individual finds themselves in a situation where they have no control over what their experiences or future is belonging can’t occur. Through the poem ‘Migrant Hostel’, Skrzynecki explores what an actively and anonymous environment can have on an individual’s sense of belonging. This environment is clearly shown through the first stanza, “Sudden departures…would be coming next.” The ominous tone of “sudden” and the use of enjambment allow Skrzynecki to rein act the experiences of the constant flurry of activity and the anonymity that results from the sheer number further leads to this uncertainty and ominous overtones for the reader. In these environments relationships are hard to form. Furthermore, this limited sense of control over their future acts as a block to forming connections to others. Skrzynecki highlights this through the simile, “we lived like birds of passage…change in the weather.” Skrzynecki uses the bird motif throughout this poem to show a lack of freedom of choice that the migrants had over the experiences they had. Their future wasn’t in their hands and this affected their ability to belong and form a connection with the outside world and others. In the last stanza, Skrzynecki used the barrier at the main gate to cement his perception of not belonging to the outside world. This is symbolised from “highway” and this barrier “rose and fell…in reprimand and shame.” Through personification, Skrzynecki offers an insight of how the migrants felt in this limited environment. It made the migrants feel inadequate and unworthy and made them wonder what their future would be like. Therefore, through ‘Migrant Hostel’, it is evident that belonging can’t be sustained in an unstable environment where relationships can’t be formed.

If an individual ignores a sense of belonging to their environment they will not be able to form connections to others and the environment. Skrzynecki, through ‘St Pats’ clearly shows that if an individual is unwilling to be accepted into the environment, it can affect their sense of belonging. This is seen through the second stanza, “Our lady watched…face overshadowed with clouds.” The welcoming quality of “Our lady watched with outstretched arms” is instantly juxtaposed with “her face overshadowed by clouds”. Skrzynecki utilises juxtaposition to add an ominous quality to the situation and to show the reader an uncertainty to his own feeling of being welcomed. An individual’s unwillingness to feel belong to an environment makes it difficult for relationships to be formed. Additionally, this unwillingness to feel a sense of belonging has created a barrier where even time can’t cement a connection. This is explored through beginning of stanza three, “for eight years”. The repetition of “eight years” suggests that even though Skrzynecki was at the school for a long period of time, he still didn’t find a sense of belonging with the environment or with others. It shows an insight of how he still hasn’t accepted the school and the people around him. He could have a sense of belonging but chooses not to accept the environment. He did make connections with some people but still didn’t feel belonged which is seen in the third stanza, “caught the 414 bus like a foreign tourist, unsure of their destination each time they got off.” This implies that day in and day out he caught the same bus for eight years strikingly captures his lack of understand, acceptance and connection to St Pat’s. Hence, through “St Pat’s”, it is clearly shown that if you don’t accept belonging to an environment you can’t form relationships.

When an individual faces an experience where they are isolated from a group belonging can’t occur. This is seen through the picture book The Island; Armin Greder explores how isolation or alienation can affect an individual’s sense of belonging. This is seen through opening 1, “he wasn’t like them;” The tone and the use of juxtaposition imply that the man doesn’t belong on the island because there is hardly anything behind him. The transience of this phrase works to have a larger impact on the audience that forwards their sympathy for the man rather than the islanders. Additionally, in opening 4,”so they took him in.” the use of juxtaposition shows how a lack of understanding can cause people to isolate an individual. This represents that they accepted him but the islanders are following right behind him with pitchforks and other weapons showing that they don’t understand him and they don’t want him to be with them. Lastly, in opening 10, a villager says, “He is a stranger, He doesn’t belong.”. The tone and literal statement conveys a sad and depressing mood which causes a further understanding of the islander’s attitude in creating barriers to prevent the man from connecting with them. Thus, it is visible that an individual that faces experiences where they are isolated from others can’t find a sense of belonging.

It is undeniable that Skryznecki and Greder explore the factors which affect an individual’s perception on relationships with others and the environment, which is one of the major factors. He clearly highlights how a sense of belonging is essentially relied on the relationships that are formed. In conclusion, through this poem, Skrzynecki and Greder emphasises on how a need to belong is an integral component of all individuals. An individual’s sense of belonging is relied on the relationships they form within their lifetime.