College Essay on Belonging 327 words
College Essay on Belonging 327 words

College Essay on Belonging 327 words

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  • Pages: 4 (915 words)
  • Published: May 20, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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'The Scream' painting by Edward Munch and 'The Simple Gift' novel by Steven Herrick explore the impact of belonging on an individual's sense of identity in different ways. Belonging is a vital concept in human society, providing safety, survival, protection and happiness. Both works of art highlight the effects of alienation and relationships, and the feeling of not being connected to society, family or friends. Alienation refers to the experience of isolation from a group, resulting in a loss of identity, while relationships describe connections between people or concepts in either positive or negative situations. The painting and novel address the lack of relationships and the feelings of isolation, allowing viewers to connect strongly with the idea of how belonging is impacted by alienation and relationships.

The theme of alie

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nation is a common thread seen in both The Simple Gift and The Scream. Billy, one of the main characters in The Simple Gift, is depicted as poor and reliant on the Bendarat river for bathing, highlighting his lack of material possessions. However, he makes the most out of what he has: "There's a weir, where the water falls swiftly over rocks and forms whirl pools and bubbles and makes more noise." This serves as a metaphor for washing away his troubles. Billy washes away not only his physical body but also his emotional burdens, escaping from his worries and fears. Prior to moving on with his life, Billy feels isolated and alone, estranged from his family, friends, and the community around him.

"I lay in bed, listening, afraid to fall asleep and dream again of myself getting old long before my time," expresses the fear and insecurit

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experienced by Billy as he transitions to a new home. This quote introduces these themes and offers insight into Billy's perspective. The characterisation also draws parallels between Billy and Old Bill, another significant character in the novel who feels isolated after losing his daughter and wife. "The scream" painting similarly represents the feeling of alienation, offering various interpretations of not belonging.

The portrait's main focus is on a person who embodies negative emotions, specifically alienation. This is demonstrated through a vector line directing our attention towards the foreground, where there is a sense of isolation between the two figures due to their distance. Moreover, using composition, colours, and perspective to convey drama, the undulating curves of the landscape and hollow figures embody feelings of anxiety and alienation. The dull colours surrounding the person signify their lack of acceptance in society and isolation from others.

In both The Simple Gift and The Scream, the theme of alienation is expressed through negative facial expressions and a sense of non-acceptance. Dull colors in the painting and emotive language in the novel enhance the effect of loneliness and detachment, which significantly affect an individual's sense of belonging. Relationships are also a crucial issue in both works. In the novel, Billy's relationship with his father is portrayed as troubled, with Billy feeling alienated and unwanted in their community. His father's alcoholism and apathy towards life further complicates their relationship. However, Billy takes positive steps to improve their relationship and move on with his life, indicating a desire for connection and a sense of belonging. As he says, "The old bastard will have a kit."

This quotation illustrates the use of slang and informal

language to establish a sense of connection with the character and highlight his strained relationship with his father. Despite his father's disrespect and inhumane behavior, Billy chooses to leave and find a new home. His departing words, "see ya dad. I've taken the alcohol," indicate his intention to separate from his father and start anew.

Instead of celebrating your son leaving home, it is suggested that you consume a beverage. The use of sarcasm in this statement highlights the personality and emphasizes the reality. Billy exhibits a sense of depression and uncertainty towards his future, highlighting his lack of belonging. Conversely, the scream presents a lack of connection in relationships.

The painting portrays a depiction of depression, excessive emotions, and rebellion against anything that compromises individuality and personal dignity. Through a close up/ mid ground shot of the main figure, his emotions are highlighted while being ignored by his surroundings, indicating a lack of acknowledgement for his feelings. Similarly, two other figures symbolize a distant relationship with their friend, who is personified as the main character, highlighting a lack of empathy between them. The use of dull colors signify the uncertainty and depressive state of humanity. Additionally, the vector lines lead our focus to the figure in the background, representing a negative relationship. Overall, the dull colors assist in conveying the depth of emotions being portrayed in the image.

Comparatively, both The Simple Gift and The Scream describe negative relationships using a combination of colors, facial expressions, and descriptive language to evoke emotional responses in the reader. The main characters of both pieces suffer from a deep sense of alienation and their emotional states are clearly

communicated through the emotive language used in both the novel and painting. Ultimately, The Simple Gift and The Scream serve to underscore the profound impact that relationships have on an individual's sense of belonging. Through their use of emotive and descriptive language, dull colors, camera angles, and vector lines, both pieces effectively convey the idea that alienation and a lack of meaningful relationships can fundamentally impact an individual's sense of self and belonging.

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