Peter Skrynecki's 'Migrant Hostel'

Belonging is a complex, multi-faceted concept encompassing a wide range of different aspects. The need to belong to family and culture is a universal human need which provides a sense of value and emotional stability, and in many respects forges one’s identity. Alienation and disconnection often creates feelings of isolation, depression and loss of identity. A struggle with cultural identity is evident in Peter Skrzynecki’s poems ‘Migrant Hostel’ and ‘Feliks Skrzynecki’, where he examines a division between his pre-war Polish heritage and his newfound Australian way of life. The movement away from his European cultural heritage towards a more Australian identity created disorientation for Skrzynecki, and these feelings of disconnection

People who share a connection through cultural or social factors often relate well together. This is demonstrated in the poem “Migrant Hostel” through the use of the simile ‘Nationalities sought each other out instinctively like a homing pigeon’, this likens the behaviour of the migrant searching for other people with whom they shared a connection with, to the action of a bird driven by instinct. This shows that by the different

The migrant experience varies for each person, some will have endured traumatic episodes in their life and these experiences are explored in Skrzynecki’s poetry. Through thorough interpretations of Peter Skrzynecki poems, ‘Crossing the Red Sea’, ‘Migrant Hostel’ and ‘Immigrants at Central Station’ the responder gains insight into the emigration experience which encompasses the physical and emotionally draining journey which is a result of the grave uncertainty and doubt lingering around the migrants future. Despite this, through each of his poems the composer also alludes to a future filled with hope and a sense of belonging.

Similarly, to “Feliks Skrzynecki”, it is shown here in “Migrant Hostel” how one’s identity can influence another, only that the identity referred to here is

“Migrant Hostel”, gives the responder a perspective of the plight of migrants and the trouble they face in building relationships due to the events in their past and the lack of understanding in the world around them. The metaphor of the “barrier at the main gate… Pointed in reprimand or shame” demonstrates how their housing affects them. A person cannot belong if they feel shamed, furthermore they consider themselves “birds of passage” with constant “comings and goings.” The constantly fluctuating events in their life results in an in-ability to form relationships as they have in-adequate time to form them, hindering belonging. Despite this shared “memories of hunger and hate” allowing some belonging, the alliteration emphasises the hardship of

One’s understanding of belonging can broaden their understanding and acceptance of themselves and the world around them. The statement that we all strive to belong is true, however it may take time to belong to a certain person, place, group, community or even the larger world. This issue is explored in Raimond Gaita’s biographical memoir Romulus, My Father and Khaled Hosseini’s confronting novel The Kite Runner. Throughout these texts, the themes of personal relationships, migrant experience and morals and values arise from the concept of

People’s perceptions of belonging can change over time, but this isn’t the case for all. When people experience moments of crisis in their lives they sometimes force a change within themselves and that is what helps them find an individual sense of belonging. This is highlighted in many texts and even composers life works. Texts that support this statement include Peter Skrzynecki’s Immigrant Chronicle poems, of which I have chosen St Patricks College and Feliks Skrzynecki. Skrzynecki’s poetry expresses the difficulties he faces when change doesn’t occur throughout time, as time alone isn’t a factor and that your sense of belonging is something that comes from within, with or without anyone.

Throughout the text ‘Migrant hostel’ barriers of belonging to the prescribed world are presented which heightened the sense of exclusion. Negative connotations are used to portray the barriers presented

This evident transience is perhaps symbolic of the migrants' own fleeting sense of connection as they instinctively seek out members of their own culture, efficaciously conveyed through the use of a familiar analogy – “nationalities sought/each other out instinctively – like a homing pigeon/circling to get its bearings”. These superficial relationships thus serve to hinder the development of any lasting sense of belonging – regardless of a common history and identity – as, whilst for some migrants, their time in the hostel represents a new beginning, for others the sustained sense of alienation and despair, due to a lack of strong relationships, becomes too difficult to bear, as the final lines of the poem poignantly suggest through juxtaposition – “lives/that had only begun/or were dying”. Thus a feeling of belonging depends on a strong relationship, developed over a period of time.

The changing environments throughout the ages have caused the movement of thousands of families out of their homelands. Whether forced to make such decisions or doing so by their own desires, all immigrants have had to survive the physical and psychological challenges encountered along the way. To speak about the experiences of all these different people using the same ideas and examples would be quite inaccurate. They all, however, had to live through similar situations and deal with similar problems. Many of them succeeded and found the better future they were looking for. Many others found only hardship and experienced the destruction of their hopes and dreams. All of them were transformed.

Most relevant to the work at hand, however, is the work of Fomina, who analyzed in-depth this issue in a study involving first-person interviews. What is noticeable in her interviews is an unmistakable commitment made by the interviewees when discussing Polish migration, into the grouping with which they recognize themselves, and whatever remains of Poles with whom the respondents don't have and don't wish to have excessively to do — in other words, us vs. them. This grouping is frequently utilized as a perspective, enabling the respondents to characterize all the more absolutely how they see themselves instead of other Polish foreigners. Thus, the portrayal of the view of Poles under examination might be developed utilizing the rule of contradicting dichotomies, such as communicating in English and not communicating in English (as the fundamental marker of their desire and goals). There are, in any case, a couple of classifications that fall outside such divisions, and they wind up plainly obvious just when respondents discuss a specific element which is – in their view – trademark for all Poles or when they discuss gender contrasts. Aside from that, another critical component of the self-impression of Poles interviewed by Fomina in the United Kingdom is the means by which – as they would see it – they are seen by English individuals, a clear indication of which is their portrayal in mass media. It is clearly not a target portrayal of how Polish movement is seen by the occupants of the United Kingdom, however a "reflected observation" – a subjective view engaged by Poles . It is, in any case, exceptionally noteworthy as it is on this premise9419 Poles shape their self-discernment. A specific part is likewise played by the path in which they are seen by the post-war Polish people group, since their feeling influences the view of Poles as the whole

Today, despite the United Kingdom’s long history of migration and settlers from other lands, more so then at any other time the subject of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants is in the fore front of the public consciousness. Feelings run high as this emotive subject proves to be a tricky political issue and brings with its own set of discourses. History has shown us that `asylum migration creates conflict within developed countries between natives and asylum seekers and it creates conflict between neighbouring developed countries with one trying to pass

Akhurst, Jacqui. Janik, Michal. Szewczyk, Margaret. Mucha, Magdalena. Westmancoat, Helen. Lever, Viv. Walmsley, Andreas. (2014). Polish Young Peoples' Narratives: Impacts of Living and Studying in the UK. International Migration, 52(1), 192-208. doi: 10.1111/imig.12025

In order to comprehend the european crisis, we must define who is considered a refugee, as well as providing a background of the ongoing political crisis that is happening in Africa and the Middle East. According to Professor Leverty, a refugee is a person who is unable or unwilling to return to his/her home country because of persecution (or a well-founded fear of persecution) on account of

Migration has been the force of change for many European countries throughout history. It has been and continues to be vital in the shaping of European countries’ economies, policies and it’s cultures. The author of this paper tackles the matters of migration, minorities and the issues of migration research that have occurred over time. Throughout the article the author poses arguments on the issues of migration research and possible solutions for more coherent research outcomes. Considering the values of the European Union (the respect for human rights and the rights of minorities), it was very challenging for me to apprehend the stereotypes, biases and difficulties that come hand in hand with European migration research.