TEEL
An individual’s sense of belonging is determined not only by their own choices but also by the attitudes of others.
Essay draft:
Belonging brings to our attention the potential that all individuals are affected by not only their choices but the attitudes of others. The Notion of time allows for an individual’s perception to change and in-turn, form different attitudes towards people as we see through the characters in Rainbows End by Jane Harrison and Othello by William Shakespeare. An individual’s choices and the attitude of others plays an important role in shaping the way that characters perceive their sense of belonging, in both negative and positive ways in “Rainbows End” through the Koori women, Nan Dear and Gladys and in “Othello” through Iago and Othello. Through the notion of time, the characters in Rainbows End and Othello undergo a transformation in their choices and attitudes to others which leads to conflict and also acceptance in society.
Challenges to the basis of belonging occur with the choices and attitudes of others. The choices of an individual and the attitude of others cause an individuals sense of belonging to change and evolve. In the cases of the characters Nan Dear and Gladys in the play Rainbows End, initially their belonging was to the Flats of Mooroopna. Both women realised the importance of being accepted within society, where they differed, is in their desire to be accepted within white society in the same way that they are in Aboriginal society. The beginning of the play emphasises Gladys’ desire to assimilate. This desire is expressed through Jane Harrison’s dream sequences. In Act 1, Scene 1 the dream sequence “…Gladys presenting a bouquet of flowers to the QUEEN. Instead of being formal, the QUEEN pulls her into a hug” expresses her desire for assimilation and belonging into white society. Jane Harrison’s use of juxtaposition between reality and fantasy symbolises the Indigenous people as a working class society and…