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BELONGING online study aid
The representation of belonging that is portrayed in Peter Skrzynecki’s 1975 poetry ‘immigrant chronicle’ is the idea of being removed from society due to different understandings of the world- in short- being unable to belong. There are other values that are evident in his poetry but the idea of being alienated is repeatedly uncovered through critical analysis of any of the poetry within ‘Immigrant Chronicle.’
The idea for this text was brought about because of Skrzynecki's heritage and his feelings of alienation throughout his life. He has drawn inspiration from experiences of being an immigrant and from peoples reaction towards him and his perspectives. He felt that he didn't belong and that is reflected in his poetry in 'Immigrant Chronicle'
See below for examples of analysis of poetry from Skrzynecki’s ‘Immigrant chronicle.’
The Postcard- In this poem, Skrzynecki talks about how he receives a postcard that portrays the rebuilt town of Warsaw, a town that was almost completely wiped out during World War II. In the poem, the persona talks about how the postcard haunts him because of the way that the town has been rebuilt. This shows as the value of belonging and how it can morph into something completely different when change happens. We see this idea in the very first lines, in stanza 1:
“A postcard sent by a friend
Haunts me”
The enjambment in these lines creates a feeling of being thrown into the poem without time to get your thoughts straight, your thrust headlong into it, ready or not. This shows us that true belonging does not require any background work, it simply requires you to be yourself, no falsity.
Another technique used within these lines is juxtaposition of connotations. The connotations surrounding a postcard are positive and exciting, where the connotations of the word haunt are negative and somewhat frightening. This shows us that the persona has mixed feelings towards Warsaw being rebuilt. On one hand the persona is happy that it is restored and able to prosper once more but on the other hand he finds the rebuilt town very different to the old one and is struggling to associate himself with this new Warsaw town.
Ancestors- Peter Skrzynecki’s poem Ancestors that show us the value of belonging or perhaps more accurately- not belonging. In this poem, Skrzynecki explores the idea being unsettled when a person both belongs to something and, at the same time, does not belong to it. This interesting concept is achieved with the use of many different techniques. We see this especially in stanza 8:
“Where sands and grasses never stir
the wind tastes of blood”
The use of enjambment in these lines create a feeling of being unable to stop- in this case the persona is struggling to collect his thoughts after being awoken and disturbed from sleep, this shows us that belonging is an intangible thing that cannot be collected into a neat little package. It is a broad concept.
Another technique used within these lines is metaphor, it is used to create a feeling of family bloodline connection with the word blood, however the word blood also summons up negative connotations of death. This tells us that the persona is struggling with the concept of adverse ideas. He associated to his ancestry through blood and knows his ancestors through stories but is struggling to come to terms with the fact that his ancestors never knew him and therefore, as belonging is mutual, how can he belong?
The use of the connotations of the world blood also seems to suggest a sense of dread or foreboding- perhaps the persona fears the same cycle happening to future generations.
Migrant Hostel- Peter Skrynecki's poem 'Migrant Hostel' depicts life through the eyes of an migrant with no permanent home. It also illustrates how migrants are viewed by society and also by other migrants. We see this especially stanza 1:
“Arrivals of newcomers
In busloads from the station”
The use of enjambment within this citation is used to create a sense of bustling pace and lack of control over the circumstances in which the persona is living. This shows that the persona feels that it doesn’t matter what he does, life will go on, buses and trains will keep coming and going and after a while, they will be forgotten. It also shows us that there were many migrants coming and going leaving no chance to belong because of the constant change in people. Belonging can only be temporary.
In the Folk Museum- Peter Skrynecki's ‘In The Folk Museum’ tells of how time can change how people fit in within their own culture and how migrants are often encouraged to abandon their culture in favour of another. This is shown through the techniques used to recount the personas visit to a museum. We see the concept of belonging in this poem and especially in stanza 5:
“The wind taps hurriedly
On the roof and walls”
The use of personification in these lines creates a sense that something is nagging constantly and urgently at the persona, this shows us that when our status within a group is changed, we feel a sense of unease and an urgency to reclaim our old position.
Another technique that is used within this citation is enjambment, this creates a feeling of hurriedness. This shows us that the persona feels he doesn’t belong to the place that the folk museum is commemorating and he is hurrying to escape from the reminder that he didn’t belong then, doesn’t belong now and will never truly belong as long as he lives.
Pathetic Fallacy is one other technique that is used within these lines to create a feeling of uneasiness and haste. This shows us that the persona is desperate to escape from the place that reminds him that he is an outcast. The persona’s instincts are relentlessly telling them to leave as quickly as he can and his haste is mirrored in the wind that is mercilessly batting at the building.