Analysis Of Migrant Hostel By Peter Skryznecki

The transient process of Belonging emerges from connections made by individuals with people, places and the larger social world. It is these connections that influence our identity and the search for meaning in our lives, ultimately determining our course of action. A sense of belonging can be hindered through the lack of relationships and experiences, negatively resulting in alienation and disconnection. Peter Skryznecki's eloquent poems Migrant Hostel and Feliks Skryznecki accentuate how the urge to be affiliated with a family, culture or place can only be cultivated through positive connections and familiarities, yet when these factors are lacking, we are left with the feelings of oppression and the need for assimilation. Equivalently,

To lack in the aspect of these connections often results in assimilation into society and separation from origins. Skryznecki highlights a relationship of admiration towards his father in the metaphorical hyperbole as he wonders ‘Why his (Feliks) arms didn’t fall off/ from the soil he turned/ and the tobacco he rolled’, Skryznecki is in awe of his father, defining Feliks from his perspective as a man of discipline and fortitude. As an audience, we gather that Feliks has created a place of belonging and connected atmosphere through rewarding attributes and tradition that even ‘his polish friends’ embody. However, disconnection is accentuated as Skryznecki describes that they ‘always shook hands too violently’ with the use of traditional full names ‘Feliks Skryznecki/ that formal address’ that he ‘never got used to’, it is evident that Skryznecki is excluded, unfamiliar with his polish culture and lacking understanding of his traditions. The use of first person allows for a deeper reflection and sense of regret as Skryznecki ‘forgot (his) first polish word’ whilst Feliks ‘repeated it so I never forgot/ After that, like a dumb prophet/ watching me pegging my tents further south of Hadrian’s Wall’, the reinforced limited connection to his heritage is exhibited through the loss of his language that leads to the lack of identity with Skryznecki’s culture, instead assimilating into Australian culture. This assimilation is common in migrant children who, with time, seek a new place and culture to belong to. With his son drifting away from the polish culture, Feliks recognises that there is nothing he can do as his attempts fall upon deaf ears. Accordingly, Feliks Skryznecki focuses on the relationship and inner conflict between Skryznecki’s love and respect for his father and his growing separation from the