Sense of Belonging Explored Through Literature Essay -- Literary Analy

The concept of belonging is deeply fused to humans interrelationships, with word meaning from some others being the key to a sense of belonging. Numerous texts reflect the fact that engaging in relationships with others, including varying groups and cultures, is integral to a feeling of belonging. However other texts present ideas that suggest identity is the most integral aspect of belonging, or that in fact an introspective alienation from others is necessary to belong. This essay will deal the importance of acceptance to belonging and also how other aspects hold equal value with reference to various texts, namely the poems This is My letter to the World and I had been hungry(p) all the Years by Emily Dickinson, the ar devilrk The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo, and the film As it is in Heaven directed by Kay Pollak.Emily Dickinsons poem This is my Letter to the World, presents an exploration of the poets alienation from society and her simultaneous desire to connect with it, hence d isplaying her need to belong through connections to others. Dickinsons use of the pronouns, this and that in the first two lines of the poem immediately establishes Dickinson as an external entity isolated from society. This is further depicted in the contrast created between Dickinsons sweet countrymen and me where the two phrases physical isolation on separate lines exemplifies their disconnectedness and hence demonstrates Dickinsons alienation from the camaraderie con noned by countrymen. Further, in the line the simple news that nature told nature is personified to represent a Pantheistic God. As the simple news is symbolic of Dickinsons work, this places the poet as a vessel for nature and hence relegates Dickinson to a hig... ...nas lessons to Daniel, demonstrate reciprocal relationships which again represent the integral importance of inter-connections. Hence overall the film contrasts the idea of belonging through religion which stifles sense and identity, to human relati onships which are shown as a life-giving force providing belonging through acceptance and understanding. (318)Overall, all these texts display different aspects of belonging. While The Two Fridas and As it is in Heaven affirm that acceptance from others and within communities is essential to belonging, Dickinsons poetry overall suggests that identity is a more important aspect of belonging, and that in fact alienation from others can develop an inner belonging. Hence it can be seen that belonging is established through varying different mediums, and that acceptance is not solely its most important aspect.