Formation of a Sense of Belonging

There are many Influences which impact a person’s identity and contribute to the formation of a sense of belonging. Belonging is the fundamental nature of humans to connect with others. The novel ‘The Namesake’ by Jhumpa Lahiri (2003) explores the journey of a Bengali family who cope with dislocation to a new culture when they move to America. Gogol, born to first generation migrants, struggles with his identity throughout the novel. The Play ‘A Doll’s House’ by Henrik Ibsen (1879) explores the powerful influence of relationships on an individual. The film ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ directed by Bruce Breseford (2009) explores the influence of past experiences and cultural belonging on the establishment of the main character’s identity. The composers present the challenge to belong in context with past experiences, relationships and culture.

An individual’s past experiences with others and the world shapes their perspective on current and future events and ultimately dictates what impacts on an individual’ sense of belonging. In The Namesake, this is depicted through Gogol’s fractured identity as he tries to disassociate himself from both his family and his cultural heritage to forge his own self. Gogol, named after the author Nikolai Gogol by his father, wants to establish a new identity by changing his name to Nikhil. Lahiri uses the motif device to emphasise the connections between a name, culture and identity. The author notes that Gogol can more easily ‘tune out’ his parents’ ‘concerns and pleas’ by doing this, highlighting Gogol’s desire to establish a division in this key relationship. The irony of his new name, Nikhil, meaning ‘he who is entire, encompassing all’, highlights Gogol’s confusion of his identity and his resistance of his past experiences. Gogol separates himself into two separate people. “At times he feels as if he’s cast himself in a play, acting the part of twins, indistinguishable to the naked eye yet fundamentally different.” This analogy used juxtaposes the two persona’s contained in Gogol. His new name allows him to be someone different and escape his cultural heritage and family. It allows him to belong to American society.

Similarly to The Namesake the protagonist in ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ presents a young boy living in a world of poverty juxtaposed with his new life living in America. Li Cunxin’s name means “Keep my innocent heart”, like Gogol, the ironic nature of his name emphasises his ability to connect to past experiences as well as his internal desire to be innocent. Past experiences of different countries and cultures are also explored through the protagonist, Cunxin, with the use of flashbacks and montages, returning the audience to earlier events to show their impact to his present state of belonging. The juxtaposition of scenes from his childhood home in China and his house in America highlight the dislocation of the protagonist and convey