Notes – Belonging
English Related Texts Text 1: Text 2: “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” Text 3: Text 1: What does it convey about belonging? The image conveys the concept of not belonging. It conveys the idea that a sense of not belonging can cause feelings of frustration and confusion. The image also communicates the message that being different physically from what is accepted as the stereotyped norm can influence whether or not one belongs. It conveys the idea that a certain image is valued in our society and that everybody who does not fall into the stereotyped image is or can be socially rejected. Techniques: Salient image: the salient image is the three tall and thin women that appear to be rejecting the lady that is slightly shorter. The fact that the taller women are the dominating aspect of the image reinforces the idea that these types of women are valued with in our society. o Colour: the dominating women are wearing the colour red while the lady that is being rejected is dressed in the colour green. The colour red is represents beauty, power and passion. The fact that the colour red is worn by the dominating women reinforces the idea that these women are valued in our society.
The woman that is being socially rejected is wearing the colour green which usually is a symbol of nature. The green implies that she is naturally beautiful. The image however conveys that her natural and inner beauty is rejected and she is looked down upon as her exterior image does not resemble that that is valued and accepted. o Symbolism: the three dominating woman are looking up, with their noses lifted up in the air. This is usually a symbol of superiority. They believe themselves to more significant than the other lady whom they are rejecting.
This conveys that they perceive her as worthless, insignificant and inferior. It clearly emphasises the idea they do not accept her. o Text: the written text “Damn! Should have worn red... ” highlights the idea that not belonging causes feeling of frustration and confusion. It shows the viewer that she does not comprehend the reason for her rejection as she does not perceive her self as any different. It conveys that she believes that if she had worn red she would have been accepted into the group. Text 2: What does it convey about belonging?
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This text conveys that one will always feel a sense of belonging to family and culture to some extent regardless of the circumstances because family and culture shape your identity and are always with you were ever you go. It illustrates the idea that family, culture and beliefs all shape ones identity. It also conveys that sometimes, in order for one to belong within a certain group, they must make change to them selves in order to meet the expectations of the other group. Scenes: 1. Opening/ introductory scene 2.
Tula meets Ian’s family 3. Ian’s family meets Tula’s family 4. The wedding ceremony. o Scene one: In this scene, we are introduced to Tula, the protagonist of the movie with her father Gus. From the opening line of the movie, it is clear to us that she has not fulfilled the expectations of her family and specifically her father. “You better get married soon, you look so… old” her father tells her. The atmosphere represents the mood of Tula. It is raining heavily and dark outside, suggesting that she is discontent with her life.
The techniques of flash back and voice over allow us to view Tula in her childhood. These collaboratively convey that as a child Tula was not accepted with her peers as she “[she] knew she was different from the other girls”. Her culture and significant different appearance was a barrier to her belonging with the other girls at school. Tula’s unacceptance had a profound impact on her as we can clearly see that she was envious of the other girls through “I so badly wanted to be like the popular girls”.
The quotes “way past my expiration date” and “I have no life” emphasise the idea that Tula is not content with her life and suggest that she has no aspirations for the future. o Scene two: In this scene Tula is introduced to her boyfriend’s parents. Her boyfriend Ian is a non Greek that her family disproves of. Previous to this Ian showed Tula that he accepts her despite their cultural differences through “what’s there to work out? We’re not from different species”.
This conveys that he perceives them as equal and does not discriminate against her due to her culture and family. In the scene where Tula meets Ian’s family we see the cultural difference is a major barrier to belonging. The awkwardness in this scene and the silence from both parties indicates that their cultural differences restrict them as it causes a lack of communication and understanding. They are unable to empathise with each other. The lighting is dim which further highlights the awkwardness and Tula’s discomfort. Scene three: in this scene, the difference between the two families is clearly illustrated. The close up of Ian’s parents when they first arrive at Tula’s house clearly conveys their shock, confusion and disturbance. This is due to the clash in their lifestyle and also because they were expecting a “quiet dinner [to] meet [her] parents” and instead find the whole family roasting meat on a spit in the front yard. The silence from Ian’s parents when Gus introduces his “family” conveys that they are speechless and further emphasises their shock.
Repetitive close-ups of Ian’s family furthermore convey their shock and inability to comprehend some of the Greeks’ actions. At the end of this scene, we see Gus Portokalos’ perception of Ian’s family and his belief that it will not work between him and his daughter due to the clash in lifestyle as his parents they “look at [them] like [their] from the zoo” despite their kind actions towards them. o Scene four: It is during the wedding ceremony that the Miller family and Portokalos family finally accept each other.
During this scene we see that Ian’s family are finally enjoying them selves as they no longer have a confused and surprised expression on their face. They have finally reached an understanding and came to the ultimate realisation that despite their cultural differences they are still the same and that Ian and Tula should be together. It is in this scene that we see that everyone belongs as they have bonded due to the love of Ian and Toula. The mid shot of Ian’s mother after Gus’ speech allows us to see her expression and reaction to the speech.
We see that she has found humour in his speech and agrees that despite their differences they are still the same. Ian’s father tells Toula that it “is just a really nice wedding” which contrasts with his reaction to when he first saw the reception. The voice over of Toula at the end of this scene “my family is big and loud. but they’re my family… and where ever I go, what ever I go they will always be there” conveys that she herself has finally come to accept her family, culture and traditions and she finally feels a sense of belonging towards them.
Text 3: What does it convey about belonging? This image conveys the struggle for some to belong. It conveys that sometimes difference can cause unacceptance into some groups which ultimately leads to not belonging. Techniques: o Symbolism: The yellow duckling is the outsider. It is different to the others and thus does not belong. It is literally looking up at the other duckling suggesting that it figuratively looks up to them, envies them and admires them. It shows us they the little yellow duckling is struggling to fit in. Irony: the fact that the yellow ducking is not fitting in with the black duckling is ironic because it is usually the yellow ducklings that are the dominant group and the black one is classified as the “ugly duckling”. This reinforces the idea that being different will cause not belonging with another group. o Colour: The colour green on the other end of the ledge that that the black ducklings are walking on symbolises another side where it is better as the saying goes “the grass is greener on the other side”. On the other hand, the yellow duckling is stuck on the grey side and is struggling to move up.
This conveys that while the dominant group will progress and move forward with their lives the yellow duckling will continuously struggle and be stuck. This conveys that not belonging can affect an individual in a negative way. o Symbolism: the dominant group is above the rejected duckling which symbolises that they are superior and more significant while she is below them. The fact that she is below them conveys inferiority further reinforces the idea that not belonging can have negative effects on an individual.
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Notes – Belonging. (2016, Dec 16). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/notes-belonging/
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