Belonging- Romulus and Edward Scissor Hands
- Submitted by: ashhkent
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- Category: English: Novels
- Date Submitted: 10/13/2010 10:36 PM
- Pages: 4
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“The concept of belonging is far more complex than it first appears”- Discuss with relation to TWO texts (prescribed and one other)
The concept of belonging is indeed more complex than it first appears. It can be defined as acceptance as a natural part or member. Although a personal sense, belonging is influenced by personal, social, historical, cultural and place conditions, it is therefore a dynamic process through which responders engage and familiarize with as belonging is a universal feeling. Through the study of the texts ‘Romulus, My father’- By Raimond Gaita and ‘Edward Scissorhands’ by Tim Burton, the complexities of this concept become unraveled through a range of literary and film techniques, revealing the causes and failings of belonging.
‘Romulus, My father’ is the biography that entails the trials and tribulations of a migrant family finding comfort with in a new home country. The strong use of landscape imagery conveys Raimond’s eventual acceptance of his new home and isolation from his father’s views. This complex concept is apparent when Raimond says “though the landscape is on of rare beauty, to a European or English eye it seems desolate, and even after more than 40 years, my father could not become reconciled to it”. This identification with the landscape, opposed to his fathers complicates there strong father-son relationship which traditionally included their shared values and morals.
This acceptance of the Australian landscape is initiated when he becomes appreciative of the “special beauty, disguised until (he) was ready for it”. Vivid figurative language is employed to demonstrate his strong feelings of belonging. Through the composer’s reflection of the land, they are able to share their personal values about belonging to the land and heritage. The analogy of “God taking me to the back of his workshop” describes Gaita’s philosophical awakening, where he becomes “alive to the beauty” of Frogmore. This religious allusion is...
The concept of belonging is indeed more complex than it first appears. It can be defined as acceptance as a natural part or member. Although a personal sense, belonging is influenced by personal, social, historical, cultural and place conditions, it is therefore a dynamic process through which responders engage and familiarize with as belonging is a universal feeling. Through the study of the texts ‘Romulus, My father’- By Raimond Gaita and ‘Edward Scissorhands’ by Tim Burton, the complexities of this concept become unraveled through a range of literary and film techniques, revealing the causes and failings of belonging.
‘Romulus, My father’ is the biography that entails the trials and tribulations of a migrant family finding comfort with in a new home country. The strong use of landscape imagery conveys Raimond’s eventual acceptance of his new home and isolation from his father’s views. This complex concept is apparent when Raimond says “though the landscape is on of rare beauty, to a European or English eye it seems desolate, and even after more than 40 years, my father could not become reconciled to it”. This identification with the landscape, opposed to his fathers complicates there strong father-son relationship which traditionally included their shared values and morals.
This acceptance of the Australian landscape is initiated when he becomes appreciative of the “special beauty, disguised until (he) was ready for it”. Vivid figurative language is employed to demonstrate his strong feelings of belonging. Through the composer’s reflection of the land, they are able to share their personal values about belonging to the land and heritage. The analogy of “God taking me to the back of his workshop” describes Gaita’s philosophical awakening, where he becomes “alive to the beauty” of Frogmore. This religious allusion is...