belonging creative writing essays

Belongingconsistsofastrugglewithopposingpressures.Adesiretobelongalsoconsistsof emotionalconflictsandstrugglesbetweenbeingacknowledgedwhilealsoremainingasan individualandretainingpersonalidealswhichmayultimatelyresultinaconnectionThisis exploredinEmilyDickinson'sselectedpoetryIdiedforbeauty,butwasscarceandIhadbeen hungryalltheyears,aswellasScottWesterfeld'snovelUglies.Thesetextsalldepictastruggle betweenbeingrecognisedandacceptedinsocietyandthedesiretoremaintruetoone'sself, exploringtheparadoxicalnatureofbelongingwhich,ononehand,providesfulfilment,butalso removesasenseofpersonalidentity

Dickinson'sIdiedforbeauty,butwasscarce...showmorecontent...

Strugglesbetweenopposingpressuresofconformityandindividualitywhichcanalsobringabout connectionissuccessfullyexploredbyDickinsonthroughthedepictionofthepersona'sconflict betweenadesiretobelongyetdesiringindividualityasanartist,whichultimatelyresultsina harmonybetweenthetwopersonasduetosimilardesires.

ScottWesterfeld'sUgliesalsoexploresthestrugglewithmaintainingindividualidentitywhile wishingtobeacceptedsocietythroughtheperspectiveofprotagonistTallyYoungblood.¬Tallyand Shaydisplayconflictingperspectivestowardsthe'pretties'whereTally'sdesiretojointhe communityevidentinapositivetonethatisusedwhendescribingthemsuchas"beautiful"is contrastedwithShay'sviewsofthesocietyin"doingwhatyou'resupposedtodoisalwaysboring", whereastrugglebetweenopposingviewsisillustratedthroughthetwoinwhichTallyshowsawish tobeacceptedwhileShayinsteadonlywantstoremainherselfratherthanhaveheridealsforcefully removed

...Getmorecontent...

Belongingcanbeapossiblepathtoanindividual'sself–actualisation.Asenseofidentitycanbe identifiedbybelongingornotbelongingtoaparticulargrouporplace.Apersoncanportray differentvaluesofbelongingthroughdifferentsituationsandsettings,likeinShakespeare'speriod andtheperiodin'FightClub'.Maslow'sHierarchyofbelongingsuggeststhatbelongingisoneofthe basicneedsofhumanexistenceAllhumansaspiretobelongbutonlyafewareabletotranscend thisbasichumanneedandbecomeself–actualisedindividualswhorisebeyondtheirsocial expectationsandgoagainsttheconventionsthatdefinethem.Thisisportrayedthroughthe charactersin'AsYoulikeIt'thatfleetotheForestofArdenbutshowmorecontent Afterwardsweallfeltsaved".

Theconceptofbelongingnotonlydealswithacceptance,butalsorejectionandalienation.This conceptcaninfluenceourbelongingtoaplaceorgroup.ThisisexploredthroughShakespeare's play"asyoulikeit".Throughoutthenovel,'asyoulikeit'explorestheideaofbelongingtoplace. Thetitle

itselfgivestheplaytotheaudience,implyingbelongstothoseviewingit.Throughoutthenovel,we canclearlydetectthecharactersdesirestobelongasdictatedbythesocialreligioushierarchyofthe renaissancedrawnoutbythechurchandkingintheformofthechainofbeing.Accordingto Shakespearetextandhiscontext,everyonehastheirrightfulplaceIfoneplaceisalteredor disturbed,thereischaosandanarchy.Hence,'AsYoulikeIt'isareaffirmationofthechainofbeing whereDukeseniorsdukedomhasbeenalteredbyhisyoungerbrotherFrederick,andthiscausesthe chaosthatleadstomanyofthecharactersfleeingtotheplacetheybelongtointotheforest InAsYoulikeIt,thetraditionsofsocietypushcharacterstoplaycertainroles.Rosalind,the protagonist,hasnocontroloversocietyandgenderexpectationspresentedtoher.Eventhoughshe isthemostinteresting,intelligentandactivecharacterinthenovel,sheisconfinedintotheexpected femalerole.Thissuppressesherpersonalitytobeexpectedtofitintoandbelongat

...Getmorecontent...

EnglishexamrevisionExamOneAreaOfStudy–Belonging.CreativeWritingBelongingEssay1. TheImmigrantChronicles–PeterSkrzyneckiMigrantHostel*Portraysemotionssurroundingthe experienceofmigrantsindetainmentaftertheirarrivalinAustralia.THIRDSTANZA.Technique: Simile–caperingthemigrantsto..Example:"birdsofpassage"whowere"alwayssensingachange intheweather"Effect:emphasisestheabsenceofastanlefixedhomeforthemigrantsTheyfeel theydonotbelongintheircurrentlocation.Theyarealso"uncertain"abouttheirfurutre"track".

Technique:PhysicalSymbolsintheLASTSTANZAEffect:highlightsthemigrants'perceptionof theirlackofbelongingintheirsocietynewsocietyshowmorecontent

Technique:MediumCroppedShotofWilllookingawkwardandlostathiswife'sfuneraleffectively symbolisestheprofoundsenseoflossandincompletenessthatdominateshisviewoftheworld followingherdeath.Effect:Thecroppedeffectcreatesvisualimpactasymmetryadimbalancethat visuallyportrayshisheightenedsenseofdiscomfortinhisgrief.Technique:PointofViewShots–GriffithseffectivelyusesaseriesstiltedpointofviewshotsfocalisedthroughWill'seyesasheis literallywrestleswithTulipwhoisindistressbecausesheresistsbeingmilkedbyWill.Thisliteral wrestlingishighlysymbolicofWill'sownstruggletocometotermswiththedisruption,emptiness andlossthatispartofthegrievingprocess.ModuleB–CloseStudy1.'Cosi'–LewisNowra Juxtapositionof"Madness"and"Normality":Technique:Allusiontotheprotestsagainstthewarin Vietnamduringthe70sgeneratesIRONYExample:Nicksays"he'sonmybackbecauseI'm spendingtomuchtimeorganisingthemoratorium."Effect:createsironybyimplyingthatinsanityis notjustcontainedwithinthewallsoftheasylum.Madnessisalsodemonstratedthroughtheaction anddeedsperpetratedbysocalled"normal"peopleintheoutsideworldTechnique:Symbolismin thedisorientationandconfusioncreated

...Getmorecontent...

Thedead–endedstreetShestoodinthemiddleofthestreet,wherethewindwashedonthesighing pavementwithahollowsoundatmidnight.Heremptyeyessawstraightthroughtheblearyneon lightsflickeringonandoffthestreetsigns.Shelookedandsawnothing,gulpingincleansing, scouringdraughtsofair.Herhairwhippedaroundherface,andtheworldwasreducedtofragments andblurs,spotsandsmudgesofsomethingunrealAtrainwhistledthroughtheairbehindher,silent asanightmare.Nothinghadeverechoedsovividlyasthemoanofherowndespair.Howlong,O Lord,shecouldhearhersoulchokeonthewords.Howlong?Herthroatclosedin,andherknees creakedastheyrattled,bone–wearyHowlong?Howshowmorecontent

Ifitwashurtandcontortedinpain,itmeanthelovedher.Butitalsomeantshethoughttoomuchof herself.Allherlife,theyhadtoldher,that'swhathelookedlikewhenshecried.Shewantedto believeitsobadly.Butlatelyshecouldn'tbecertainofanything,andifhelovedher,shefeltguilty, becauseshecouldn'tlovehimback.She'dtried,andhemadeherfeelcherished,buteverytimeshe rememberedwhatshewas,shecouldn'thelpbutimaginewhatitwouldbelikeifhesawherlike this,too.Wouldhelookatherlikesomedisgustingthinghewipedoffhisshoe?Shecouldn'tbearto thinkofit.Shewouldratherkeepherdistancethanseehiseyeswhenhesawherfaithlessnessand herfilth.Sheimaginedhimwalkingtoherfromthefarsideofthedead–endstreet,whereonlyhe couldtranscendthatbarrier.Hetoweredher,withdarkhairandoliveskinandanosethatlooked likeithadbeenbrokenonceandneverhealedquiterightItmadehisfacelookstrong,butitwas nothingimposing.Hisgaitwascalm,confident,unhurried.Hishands,long–fingeredandcalloused fromworkingwithwood,restedpeaceablyathissides.Shesavedthethoughtofhiseyesforlater, becauseoddly,allofherfrailtyandallofhisstrengthcoexistedtogetherinthereButthatwasjust herimagination.Shedidn'tlookathim.Shelookedattheshadowofhimthatpooledatherfeetand burnedthe

...Getmorecontent...

Belonging–Whatisitandisitimportant?

Accordingtomostdictionaries,belongingiseitherbeingthepropertyofsomeoneorbeingpartof anorganisation.ButIbelievethatbelongingismorethanthat.Andwhataboutthepeoplewhodon't feeltheybelong?Aretheresignificantsideeffects?

Belongingmeansactivelyparticipating,andactivelyparticipatinggivesyouapurpose.Itis importanttoanindividual'smentalhealthandwellbeingandtherearenegativesideeffectstothose whofeeltheydon'tbelong.

Belongingalsorelatestobeingabletobeyourselfwithinthecommunity.Butitisnotsomething thathappensinstantly.Itisaprocess.Findingtruebelongingcanbedifficultinoursocietybecause ofmanyreasonsSomepeoplecanbeexcludedfromeventsduetothingstheyhavenocontrolof (skincolour,gender,motorskills,etc),andoftenfeeltheydon'tbelongasnopartofsocietyseems towantthem.

Sometimesitcanbetheopposite,andyoudon'twanttohavetobeapartofsomething,likea religionorculturethatisbeingforcedonyouThisisevidentinthetouchingbook'therabbitproof fence'asthreegirls(Molly,Daisy,Gracie)havewesterncultureforcedonthem.Thiscausesthemto unwiselyfleethesettlementtheywererelocatedtoinanattempttogohometoJigalong.

Thiscanaffectpeopleinbadways,andcanleadtodepression,sleepdisordersandevenan inferioritycomplex.Althoughtheseareinseverecases,theWorld

...Getmorecontent...

Asenseofbelongingisanessentialpartofeveryindividual'slife.Asenseofbelongingcanbe createdfromhavingconnectionswithpeopleandplaceswithinapersonal,cultural,historicaland socialcontextThechoiceofwheretobelongandwhotobelongwithchangespeople'ssenseof belongingastimepasses.ThePoetryofPeterSkrzynecki's'ImmigrantChronicle'andCarson McCullers'snovel,"Thememberofthewedding"demonstrateshowasenseofbelongingcomes fromhavingconnectionswithpeopleandplaces

"Thememberofthewedding"discusstheideathatwedonotalwayschoosethegroupswebelong toandsometimesindividualsarecastintogroupstowhichtheyfeellittleconnection.Thenovel, "thememberofthe...showmorecontent...

'FeliksSkrzynecki'explorestherelationshipbetweenthepoetandhisfather,andtheircontrasting experiencesofbelonginginanewland.Thepoemiswrittenfromthepoet'sperspectiveofhis father.Inthefirsttwostanzasheseeshimfromtheperspectiveofalovingsonandbuildsupa positiveandrespectfulimageofhisfatherTheemotiveword'gentle'suggestshisfondattachment andadmirationforhisfatherwhohasraisedhim.Thisadmirationwasnotapparentinhisyouthas Skrzyneckirecognisesthattherewereculturalbarriersbetweenthemthathamperedthefather–son relationship.ThispoemexploresFeliks'ssensenotfullybelongingtoAustraliaandhisson's growingdetachmentfromtheirpolishheritage.Inmanywaysfatherandsongrowtobecome strangerstoeachother,withindividualattitudestowardsbelonginginanAustraliancontextAsthey sharenocommonculturalbackground,theconnectionandsenseofbelongingtoeachotherisnot complete.PeterdoesnotbelongwithinthePolishculture,nordoeshecompletelyidentifywith Australianculturewhenhewasayoungboyandadolescent.Heexperiencesguiltandregretashe cannotsharehisfather'smemoriesandenthusiasmforPoland.Fromasecondgenerationmigrant perspectivethispoemprovidesevidenceofanambiguousstancetowardsbelongingthatcomes

...Getmorecontent...

Belonging,Being,AndBecoming

Belonging,BeingandBecomingarethemainelementsthatguideourpedagogicalpracticeand havingastrongsenseofidentityisanessentialoutcomeofgainingastrongsenseofbelonging, beingandbecoming.Forachildtogainastrongsenseofidentityitisimportantforeducatorsto gainastrongunderstandingandrespectfortheindividualchild'scultureandbygainingthis knowledgewecaneffectivelyincludetheircultureinourdailypractices,programmesandcentre policiesandphilosophy.Includingthechild'svalues,traditionsandpracticesinallareasofthe servicesallowsthechildtofeelvaluedandrespectedforwhotheyareandwheretheycomefrom andgivesthemtheconfidencetobeactiveparticipantsinallaspects

...Getmorecontent...

PeterSkrzyneckiBelongingEssay

Significantmomentsintimeshapeanunderstandingofbelonging. ExplorehowthisisevidentinyouprescribedtextandatleastONEotherrelatedtextofyourown choosing.

Belongingisdefinedasfittingintoaparticularenvironmentorhavingtherightpersonalorsocial qualitiestobeamemberofaparticulargroup.Ourbelongingtoorconnectionswithpeople,places andgroupsallowsonetodevelopadistinctidentitycharacterisedbyaffiliation,acceptanceand association.Togainafullunderstandingofbelonging,itisessentialtoexperiencesomesignificant momentsintimeasitshapesanddevelopsourunderstandingofbelonging.Thisiscapturedinthe poemsofPeterSkrzynecki's,showmorecontent

"Birdsofpassage"navigatefromonedestinationtoanotherwhichemphasisestheabsenceofafixed homeforthemigrantsTheconstantchangeofthehostelpreventsSkrzyneckifromfindingaplace ofbelonging,leavinghimfeelinglostandconfusedabouthissenseofself.Thehostelprovidesa prison–likelifeandcommunitygrouptowhichthemigrantsbelong.The"barrieratthemaingate"is ametaphoricandliteralbarrier,givingtheimpressionofimprisonment,sealingoffthemigrants fromtherestoftheworld.Thisisolationpermitsthemigrantstoagroup,butnotacountry. Skrzyneckiusesalliterationsuchas,"hungerandhate"todemonstratethemigrantsemotionsof othergroupsaftertheirownsuffering.Skrzynecki,likeothermigrantswhowouldhavestartedout theirjourneywithhopeandoptimism,feelsasthoughhedoesnotbelonginthenewlandbecauseof theimpermanent,instableenvironment,howeverheandtheothermigrantshavecertainthingsin commonwhichunitethem,consequentlycreatesaplacewheretheybelong.

IncontrastwithSkrzynecki'sdisconnectionthroughplaceandidentity,AnhDo's,'TheHappiest Refugee'elucidatesamorepositivesenseofbelonging.Throughtheuseofanecdotes,heexplains thatitdidn'ttakelongbeforehisfatherfoundajobandmovingoutof"EastHillsMigrantHostel" withinweeks,depictingthathisfamilywastryingtofitintotheirnewcountry,theirnewculture,

ADVANCEDENGLISHCONTENTSPAGE:BELONGING

BELONGINGESSAY–PAGES2–‐3

BELONGINGSHORTSTORY–PAGES4–‐5 1

BELONGINGESSAYPerceptionsof,andattitudestowardsbelongingarevariedandcomplex,with individualsshapedbytheirsocial,historicalandculturalcontexts.Despitebeinginherent,asenseof belongingmaybeexperiencedthroughanarrayofaffiliationswithpeople,placesandeventswhich enrichfeelingsofacceptance,understandingandthuscreatean...showmorecontent...

Inanattempttospreadhisecstasytoother'sdespairfilledlives,theprotagonistinventsaproduct, ironicallycalled'bliss'.Thischangespeople'sperceptions,however,asanunforseenconsequencehe losesasignificantaspectofhimself;hisidentity.AkintoTheLostThing,belongingisdepictedasa processwhichcreatesamonotonousworldthroughthelowsaturationofcoloursinthemedium panningshotofthecity.Theabsenceofdialogueaccentuatesthatconformityleadstothe dehumanisationofhumans,anotionheightenedthroughtheominoussyntheticmusic. Paradoxically,oncetheprotagonistcreatesaproductutilisinghisindividualityandislabelledthe "GREATESTINVENTOREVER!"thecloseupofhisdespondentfacial 2

expressionconveysfeelingsofmarginalisationandunacceptance.Thisnotionofseclusionis articulatedthroughthemediumshotofanempty

...Getmorecontent...

HSCSTUDYBUDDY1

HSCSTUDYBUDDY3

HSCSubjectGuideBelonging2009HSC:AreaofStudy–English–relatedmaterialEnglishHSC 2009–2012isBelonging.Whatdoesbelongingmean?FromtheOxfordDictionaryandThesaurus: belong,verb,1)toberightlyputintoaparticularpositionorclass;2)fitorbeacceptableina particularplaceorenvironment;3)belongtobeamemberof;4)belongtobethepropertyor possessionofBelonging,noun,affiliation,acceptance,association,attachment,integration, closeness,rapport,fellowfeeling,fellowship.Antonym:alienate,verb1)causetofeelisolated2) losethesupportorsympathySynonymsforalienate,verb,estrange,divide,distance,putata distance,isolate,cutoff,setagainst,turnaway,driveapart,showmorecontent

Youdonothavetoreadafullbook;astoryfromananthologycanbeenough.Youcanalsochoose apoem,apicturebook,filmorphotographs.Rememberthoughthatyouwillneedtodiscussat lengththerelevanceofthechosenpiecetowriteabouthowbelongingisrepresentedinthetext,how aretheideasaboutbelongingbroughtout,howdoesthelanguageofthetextdevelop/conveythose images?SuggestionsforrelatedorsupplementarymaterialFiction–filedalphabeticallybyauthor (AFfiledintheadultlendingsectionandYAfiledinYoungadultsection).Abdel–Fattah,Randa Doesmyheadlookbiginthis?AF&YAAbdel–Fattah,RandaTenthingsIhateaboutmeYA Achebe,ChinuaThingsfallapartAFAli,MonicaBrickLaneAF&YA http://www.themanbookerprize.com/searchAlcott,LouisaMayLittlewomenJFAnderson,Laurie TwistedYAAnderson,MTTheastonishinglifeofOctaviannothingYAAtwood,MargaretThe handmaid's

...Getmorecontent...

Maslow'sHierarchyOfLoveAndBelonging

Inconclusion,oneofthestagesofMaslow'shierarchyofneedisloveandbelonging,Oftentimes wefeeltheneedtowanttobelonginthesociety.Ashumans,wearesocialcreatures–werelateto peopleasnooneisanisland.However,Intoday'ssocietywheresomeneighborsenduptakingon theroleofextendedfamilyandbecomingourfriendsduetothedistancefromourfamily,wesure wanttohaveagoodneighborNevertheless,mostpeoplehaveconsideredtheneighborhoodthey wanttolivein,consideringthecommunityandmostimportantlyensuringtheirneighborisagood person.Neighborlinessisallaboutdecorumandunderstanding.Fortunately,mostpeopletryto cultivatethetraitsofagoodneighbor,whichisnotdifficulttoimbibe

...Getmorecontent...

Theneedtobelonginanintegralpartofthehumanpsyche.Allpeople,onsomelevel,desiretofeel asenseofbelongingthatwillemergefromtheconnectionsmadewithpeople,places,groups, communitiesandthelargerworld.Belongingcannotbeachievedwithoutanunderstandingof oneselfandtheirsurroundings.

Belongingencompassesmanydifferentthemes,severalofwhichareexploredinRomulusMy Father.ThroughoutRomulusMyFatherthecharactersareeitherdevelopingornotdeveloping,an understandingofthemselvesandtheirsurroundingsthroughtheconnectionsmadewithpeople, places,groups,communitiesandthelargerworldThatisthecharactersareeitherdevelopingornot developingasenseofbelonging.The...showmorecontent...

TheyshareadeepconnectionfromthetimespenttogetheraloneatFrogmore.Romulussaystoa friendthat"Mysoniseverythingtome."ThisissimilartotherelationshipbetweenChrisand ChristopherinThePursuitofHappiness.ShortlyafterChris'wifeleaveshimshepicksChristopher upfromdaycarebutinsteadofbringinghimhomeatsixo'clock,liketheyhadarranged,shekeeps himforthenight.Chrisconfrontshiswifethenextdaysaying"Hey,don'tyouevertakemyson awayfrommeagain.Youhearme?...Don'tyoutakemysonawayfrommeagain."Chris,like Romulus,feelsthathebelongswithhissonandfromthisbelongingheisabletoovercomethe manyobstacleshefacesinlifeasasinglefather.Althoughthereisnofilialthemeexploredinthe songtheWorldatLarge,theline"Ilikesongsaboutdrifters–booksaboutthesameTheyboth seemtomakemefeelalittlelessinsane."Indicatesthatforthesongwriter,asenseofbelongingis foundinpeoplethataresimilartohim,throughtheconnectionshehaswithotherpeople.

AsBourneissearchingforinformationofhispasthelearnsthathelivedinParisAtonceheknows thisistrue,andfromthisunderstandingasenseofbelongingtoaplace,Paris,begantoemerge.He thentravelstoParis,whichisthesettingforthemajorityofthetext.WhenMariesaystoBourne, thattheyshouldleaveParis,thattheycouldstartanotherlifesomewhereelse,hereplies

...Getmorecontent...

CreativeWritingIjumpbackasablackfelineshootsacrossthepathin–frontofme.Icatcha glimpseofitsmattedfur;ascreechinghisspiercesthenightairasitencountersamammalinthe undergrowth.Theysayablackcatatnightisbadluck,butIhonestlydoubtmyluckcouldgetany worseinlightofrecentevents."Getout,youdon'tbelonghereanymore","Justlookingatyou makesmesickLeavenowandgetoutofourlives"It'sfunnyhowtheoneswhoaremeanttolove youthemost,canturnonyousoeasily.MyadolescentlegsstrainasIcontinuealongthepath aimlessly,mystomachrumblesinemptinessasIrealiseIleftwithoutfood.Howcanonethinkof suchthingsatatimelikethat?Imostcertainlydidn't,andshowmorecontent Iweavemyselfthroughtheanimal–madetrack,slippingonloosestonesandrunningintothe occasionalwebbedtrap.Eventually,Imakemywaytoaclearingwithscatteredbelongingsanda stoolsizedlogsurroundingascrapwoodfire.AtwigsnapsbehindmeandIswingaround,instincts puttingmeinafightingmindset.Insteadofathreat,Iamgreetedbyagreyhairedmanwithshabby clothesandadirtybeardHestaresatmeforafewsecondsasifevaluatingmeasariskandthen speakstomeinacalmvoice.""howdystranger,canIhelpyouwithanything?""Itrytoreplybut stillsurprisedmywordsfailme.Instead,hecontinuestospeak,""that'sadeeplookingcutyou've gotonyourforehead".Hemovestowardsme,limpingalittle,reducingpressureonhisleftleg naturally.Istepbackwarily,butheswiftlycoversthegroundbetweenusandgrabsmyshoulder withhislefthandHisuncleanbreathblowsinmyfaceforamoment,andashiveroffearand disgustrunsdownmyspine.Theshiverleavesasheturnshisheadtotheside,seeminglysearching forsomethingonhisbelt.Outofasmallbagattachedtohisbeltheproducesaplasticpacket.After tearingopenthepackagewithhisteethhepullsouttheprize,anddabsthealcoholsoakedswabon mywound.Iflinchasthealcoholseemstoburnmyunprotectedflesh.Igrabmyforeheadinagony

Dinnerisathalfpastseven,shecalledoverhershoulder.Thescreendoorbangedshutandshewas gone.JackiestoodatthedoorlongenoughtoseetheredChevroletrolloutofthedriveway,bearing Judithdownasun–drenchedstreetlinedwithfreshlypainted,whitepicketfences.Thetalkhadbeen unfruitful,completelyunfruitful.Sheshouldn'thavesoughtouthersister.Butwhatdidsheexpect?

JudithwasofanotherworldShewouldjusthavetoleavewithoutsayinggoodbye,andsendaletter backhomewhenshegotthere.'Honey,doyouknowwhatthey'resayingaboutyou?They'resaying you'reuncouth,uncouth'.Judithspatthewordoutlikeaseedinacherry,herredlipsforminga perfectcircleJackiehadasuddenshowmorecontent

Openyoureyesandlookaroundyou!Yourbestfriendhadhersecondchildlastmonth,andallyour otherfriendsfromWellesleyaremarried.Allmyfriendshavechildren!Thatisthewayofthings, darling.Womenjustdon'tgomeddlingintheaffairsofmen.Thathasalwaysbeenthewayofthings andthere'snotmuchyouorIoranyoneelsecandoaboutit.'Jackiewaitedforhertofinish,and Judith'svoicefellintoahushedwhisper'They'resayingyou'reuncouth'ShesaidagainJackie couldn'tbelieveshesaiditagain.ShestoodupandstaredhardatJudith.Aflickerofalarmpassed throughtheperfectlysculptedfaceanditlowereditsgazeontothekitchentable.'YoureallythinkI careaboutwhatthey'resaying,don'tyou?'Jackiesaid,'WellletmetellyousomethingJudith,Idon't care.Iactuallycouldn'tgiveatosswhatyouoranyofyourfriendsthink'.Judithliftedherface.'But youwillsomedayJackieYou'llcarewhenpeoplestartclosingtheirdoorsinyourface,whenyou can'tgetupanyfurtherinthatnewspaperoffice,whenyou'reaforty–fiveyear–oldtypistlivingwith herparents–thenyou'llregretit.YouthinkIdidn'thavedesires?YouthinkIneverthinkabout leavingRichardandgoing–ohgod,Idon'tknow,toFranceorsomewhere,anywhere!Butthoseare fantasiesJackie,storiesourmindsmakeuptodistractus'.Shepaused,realisingtheeffectherwords hadhadonJackie,andfeltencouragedtogo

...Getmorecontent...

Dave,Lizzy'sboyfriend,cametopickupherbelongings.Hearrivedat8AMwithaboxofDunkin Donutsandthreecupsofcoffeeforourbreakfast.Aftersittingonthediningtableandmunchingour donuts,wewerereadytoloadLizzy'sbelongingtohiscar.Itwasamazingtoseetheboxes,luggage andotherstuffsthatshecouldnotputthemincontainers.IknewclearlythatLizzywasa shopaholicEvenso,shehadmanystuffsafterlivinginmyapartmentfortwoyearsIwas wonderingwhatwouldhavehappenedwhenImovedoutfromthisapartment.Imustneedagarage saleordonatehalfofmystuffstoGoodwill's."AsI'vetoldyoulastweekthatIdon'tbringthe writingdeskandthischairwithmeIbelieveyourtenantcanuseitsoshowmorecontent "Ifonedayyouchangeyourmind,Iwillbehappytoreturnitbacktoyou"Lizzygavealaughand pokemyshoulderplayfully."Areyoukiddingme?Ofcoursenot.Idon'tneeditbesidesDave's apartmentisnotbigandalreadyhasmanystuffsinit""Yes,tobehonestwithyou,Ilikethedesign butdon'tworryIwon'tchangemymind"Inodded."Allright.Let'scheckon..."Iwantedtosay 'checkonDave'butstoppeditbecausehejustenteredtheroomandwenttothesinktowashhis hands.Hisfacewasstillcalm,nosignoftiringafterloadingLizzy'sstuffs."Everythingisreadyin mycar.So,wheneveryouareready,wecango"hiseyeswereonLizzy."OK"shesaidandturned tome."IthinkweneedtogonowsoIhavetimetounpackandre–arrangedeverything"Inodded andsteppedforwardtowrapmyarmsaroundhershoulders.Shehuggedmeback."Iwillmissyou, Lizzy"Myvoicechoked"Iwillmissyoutoo,Carrie"shesaid,releasingherarmsandpushedme awaygently.Hereyeslockedmine."Promiseme,ifyouhaveaproblem,don'thesitatetocallme.I amnotastranger,soaren'tyou"sheemphasizedherlastwordsbynoddingher

...Getmorecontent...

BelongingEssay2011HSCQuestion

Question3(15marks)Explorehowperceptionsofbelongingandnotbelongingcanbeinfluenced byconnectionstoplaces.Inyourresponse,refertoyourprescribedtextandatleastONEother relatedtextofyourownchoosingTheprescribedtextsarelistedonthenextpageWordLength: 1200wordsAsenseofbelongingisanessentialpartofthehumancondition;itisadesiresharedby all.Belongingreferstotheabilityofanindividualtofitinaspecifiedplaceorenvironment.This mayincludefittinginwithagroupofpeople,fittinginwithsocietyorfittinginwithaphysical place.Allindividualshavetheirownuniqueperceptionofbelongingandnotbelonging,basedona numberoffactors.Oneofshowmorecontent

Theimpactofconnectionordisconnectiontoplacesonanindividualʼsperceptionofbelongingis alsoperceivableintheline"Wemayinhaledespair".Throughtheuseofoflowmodalityintheverb ʻmayʼ,Dickinsonportrayspossibilityanduncertainty,depictingthedifferentperceptionand receptionthateachtextmayreceive.Inthisway,Dickinsonconveyshernegativeperceptionof belongingduetoherlackofconnectionwithherplaceasawriter,asheruncertaintyblatantly expressesthelackofconfidenceshehasinherselfwritingproperly.Nevertheless,Dickinsonalso exploreshowapositiveperceptionofbelongingcanalsobeachievedthroughconnectingwithher placeasawriterinthislineTheuseoftheverb"inhale"communicatesthehumancondition,asall humansneedtoinhaletosurvive.Therefore,thepersonaisconnectingwithherplaceasahumanin societyassheisunitedthroughthehumanexperience,thereforepromotingapositiveperceptionof belongingThisconnectednesstoplaceinmadeclearerthroughtheuseoftheinclusivepronoun "We",whichsignifiesunityratherthansolidarity,andindicatesthepersonaʼswarmperceptionof belongingduetoconnectingwithherplaceasaperson.Theinfluenceofconnectiontoplacein regardstoanindividualʼsperceptionofbelongingisalsoexploredinasimilarmannerinSean Ascroftʼs2006shortfilm,TheStoryofBubble

...Getmorecontent...

ENGLISHCREATIVEWRITINGIamoutsidethedoor.Still.Iclosedthedoorontheoldworldof me,thedarksideofme.Lifeasadrugdealer.Yougetinquickandyougetoutquick.Simple enoughisn'tit?No.Onceyouchooseadirectioninlife,it'shard,andcanoftenseemimpossibleto change.Especiallyintheworldofdrugs.IfeellikeIhaveleteveryoneIeverknewdown,butitwas formyowngoodYeahthemoneyisfantastic,butwhatgood'smoneywhenyou'reinthejointfor therestofyourlife?Iclosedadooronallmyfriends,mymatesthatstuckupformenomatter what.Afteralltheyhaddoneforme,Ijustsplit.Ididn'ttalktoanyofthemaboutit.Notoneword.

Intheireyes,IjustdisappearedImaginewhatshowmorecontent Ironic,isn'tit?Theonlythingwasthatallmycomradesinthepoliceforceknewtherewas corruptioninmypast,buttheyjustcouldn'tproveit.SociallyIdidn'tfitin.Theydespisedme–they hatedmyguts.HowcanIblamethem?EverymorningIwouldgetcold,piercingstaresfrommy comrades.Onepersoninparticular,SergeantGeorgeHarrishadtheseskyblue,splittingeyes.Ifelt thathecouldlookrightintomysoul,intomypast,andseeallthedarknessthatwasembedded withinit.Ifeltillateaseinhispresence.Heremindedmeofthatnightlongago,theactofbetrayal thatIhadcommitted.Thatwassomethinginmypastthathadaffectedmeeversince.That,andthe drugtraffickingmeantthatIcouldneverreallyfitinsociallytothepoliceforce.Therewasan automaticpredispositionofdisgustofmypast.Yes,Ididmyjobanddiditwell.Thejobsuitedme. Inessence,Iwastryingtocatchmyoldself–tryingtoeliminatenewdrugandviolencethreatson thestreets.IguesswhatIamtryingtosayisthatwhenyoucloseadooranotheroneopens.Itmay beextremelydifficulttogetgoingatfirst,butaftertime,youfocusonthethingsthatgiveyou pleasureandmakeyoufeelhappyandfeelacceptedinlifeInmycase,Ilearnttofocusonthejob, andhadtocopandcopewiththesocialneglect.Afterall,IadmitmyselfthatIdeservedit.Socially, Idon'tbelongintheenvironmentofthepoliceforce,butthejobgivesmea

...Getmorecontent...

Istarebackatmyselfinthemirrorandobserveasmyskinhidesbeneathalayeroffoundationtwo shadestoopale.Thisismymask,amaskIusetoconcealmycaramelskin,amaskIusetodetach myselffrommyheritage,amaskIusetopretendIamnotIndian.Mychocolate–brown,almond shapedeyes,framedbymyunkempteyebrows,givemeaway.Dissatisfied,Iheadtomy grandparents'livingroomItisonlyfourAM,butIamwide–awakeOh,thejoysofjetlag Eventually,Iclutchmybulkycamerainmyhandsandopenthefrontdoor.Isitsoundlesslyonthe porch,envelopedbythetranquilityofdawn.Theonlynoisecomesfrommycamera;itproducesa mechanicalsoundasImodifyeachsettingOblivioustothetimeIhadexpendedfiddlingwiththe camera,theabruptappearanceofthesunstartlesme.Iwatchincredulouslyas...showmorecontent...

India'scharmwasabletoattractme,butnotinthetypicalsense.Myimagesconsistedofthe homelesswomanwhowouldstayoutsidemyhouseasIgotheraglassofwater,thetwostray puppieswhowouldcasuallywanderontotheporchinsearchoffood,orthearraysofextravagant clothingTome,theseimagescaughtthetrueessenceofIndia;andthereforeeachtimeIlooked backatthesephotosIwassentbacktothehumid,yetblissful,daysinIndia.Photographytaughtme lessonsaboutmyselfIhadneveracknowledged,ittaughtmetoloveandembracetheportionsofme othersdidnotunderstand.Thebeautyofphotography,Irealized,washiddeninitsabilitytogather beautyintoonesingle,stillimage.EachphotographItookinIndiahasbecomeasteadyreminderof thebeautyingrainedinmycultureandheritage–consequently,theplaceIpreviouslyattemptedto cover,thepartofmyselfwhichIaspiredtobury,isnowtheplaceIattachmyselfto–Iidentifyto Indiatodayfarbeyondanything

...Getmorecontent...

Asachild,Ihadalwaysbeenfascinatedwiththeocean,evenmoreso,thosewhodarebravedto conquerit.EverySaturday,intheearlyafternoon,myfatherwouldtakemedowntothedock,andI wouldstareinaweatthemanyshipsgoinginandoutashefedtheseagulls.However,onthese Saturday's,Iwouldalwayskeepmyeyeopenforonespecificship.Theonlyyachttoeverdockona SaturdayafternoonwassteeredbyCaptainCFitzAtfirst,Imarvelledatthethoughtthatsucha frailmancouldmanoeuvresuchagiantbeastacrossaseriesofobstaclesandwaves.Itwasn'tuntilI grewolderandbecameapartofCaptainC.Fitzcrew,thatIcametounderstand.TheCaptainwasa tallman,whoseheightwasonlydefeatedbyafewAlthoughhetoweredoverhiscrew,henotonce lookeddownonthem;rather,theylookeduptohim.Hishandswerevisiblyrough,coveredin callusesanddrypatches,asideeffectofhisaddictiontothesteeringoftheyacht'sroughbark wheel.Atfirstglance,theCaptain'sfacewasanembodimentofcharacter,withthincrackedlipsthat curtainedhisagelesssmile,deepbracketsborderinghismouth,andcrinklesatthecornerofhiseyes deepeningeverytimehisraucouslaughterrippedthroughtheair,youwouldthinkthemanhad neverexperiencedasorroworpain.TheCaptainlovedtorockupanddown...showmorecontent...

Theenginewouldsputteratthemostunfortunatetimes,andmanyofitspartswouldeitherglitch,or ceasetoworkaltogether.Eventually,theyachtwasdeemedirreparable,andthecrewwasrelieved fromtheirpositions.WhetheritwasbraveryoridiocythatcausedCaptainC.Fitztosailtheyacht onemoretimeintooblivion,Ididnotknow,butIdidunderstandonethingBothbeingshadbeen tiredbeyondthepointofexhaustion,andwerenowremindersthatnomatterhowstrongthingsseem atfirstglance,evenmetalsbendifenoughpressureis

...Getmorecontent...

Essay"Asenseofbelongingrequiresanunderstandingofone'spast."Althoughthemainaspectof thisquoteisreferringtothepast;inotherwordstime,itcouldalsomeanfeaturesofthepast,suchas people,places,pastexperienceetc.TheseaspectsofbelongingareextensivelyshownwithinPeter Skrzynecki's'ImmigrantChronicle';inparticularthepoems'FeliksSkrzynecki'and'inthefolk museum'Belongingandallofitsaspectsarealsoshownthroughthemovie'DeadPoetssociety'and particularlythroughthecharacterisationofMrKeatingandToddAnderson.Althoughtheyallhave belongingplacedwithintheirstoryline;theyallhavedifferentaspectsofconnectionwhetheritis positiveornegativeInthepoem'Feliksshowmorecontent

Thispoemoverallshowshowchoosingnottoco–existwiththesocietyaroundyoudoesnotmean youloseasenseofconnectionwithyourselforyourpast.Inthepoem'Inthefolkmuseum'thepoet ismainlyjustvisitingthelocalmuseumandnotreallyenjoyingit.Thetoneallthroughoutthepoem ismainlydullsuggestingheisnotreallyinterestedatall,alsosuggestingthathehasnoconnection withtheplaceIfanythingthroughoutthewholepoemheemphasizestheboredomanddullness throughthelackofdescriptivelanguageinstanza2wherethepoetjustliststheitemshesees.But consideringthisisamuseumandismainlytheretoexpresshistory,themainreasonwhyheisso boredisbecauseofthefacthecannotconnectwiththispast.Hestatesthisinthefollowingquote; "Toremindmeofthepastwhichisn'tmine."Toalsostatethisfact;instanza4hebeginstotalk aboutchurch'"InthetownhallnextdoortheysingtoChrist"Thisemphasishisreligiousculture andthefacthecannotconnectwiththismuseum.Howevereventhoughhecan'tconnecttothe museum;healsoemphasisthathedoesn'twanttobepartofitatallinthefollowingquote;"Would youpleasesigntheVisitors'Book?"Sooverallwiththequotesandtheoveralldescriptivelanguage of

...Getmorecontent...