In the Fold Museum - Peter Skrzynecki

In the Folk Museum differs to Skryznecki’s other poems as it is written from an adult point of view, rather than a recollection from his childhood memories. This allows us to gain an insight into his feelings of not belonging as an adult, as well as from the point of view of a younger Skryznecki.
The first four stanzas are structured as single sentences, creating a rushed, disconnected tone. This is representative of Skryznecki’s desire to leave the museum and its many alien relics. This idea is confirmed in the final stanza, “I leave without wanting a final look.” The alliterative use of the consonant ‘w’ is used throughout the poem, stringing this desire to escape the museum through the entire poem.
The poem begins with a dismal, gloomy image of a dark, empty room, symbolizing how alone Skryznecki feels. The season of autumn is referenced, as well as autumn colours of yellow and brown, representing the less lively, ‘dying’, slowing down nature of autumn. This is indicative of Skryznecki’s maturity, as well as strengthening the mood of the poem.
The next stanza opens with Skryznecki “Looking at words.” He is not reading anything of any value or with any connection to him. The words he is describing are the names and descriptions of the various Australian artefacts and historical objects contained in the museum, none of which have any meaning to Skryznecki. The simply “remind him of a past, which isn’t his.” This clearly describes his complete lack of belonging to Australian culture and history.
This contrasts with the next stanza, in which an old caretaker is described as having hair, the same colour as an object in the museum. This is representative of how she belongs to the museum and its contents, unlike Skryznecki.
The poem ends with a question, asked by the caretaker, “Would you please sign the Visitors’ Book?” The use of the term ‘visitor’ is an evident symbol of how Skryznecki does not belong to the museum’s world, and remains as only a visiting...