The Franklins make Mathinna feel like she doesn't belong in Hobart Town, yet Mrs. Wilson tells Mathinna that they are the ones who don't belong. What do you feel it mean to belong to a place? Who decides who does and does not belong?
Created: 10/14/20
Replies: 6
Join Date: 10/15/10
Posts: 3216
The Franklins make Mathinna feel like she doesn't belong in Hobart Town, yet Mrs. Wilson tells Mathinna that they are the ones who don't belong. What do you feel it mean to belong to a place? Who decides who does and does not belong?
Join Date: 10/09/14
Posts: 50
Anyone who lives in a certain place "belongs" there. No one and no one group can decide to claim ownership of part of the world. It is common for a particular group to claim they are the most important ones in their town or country and should decide who should stay and who should go. We certainly see that in today's world! Yet we are all human beings and we all belong equally wherever we find ourselves. I hope someday we can overcome our prejudices against those we perceive to be our "inferiors" and think of them as equals.
Join Date: 12/02/15
Posts: 36
Join Date: 10/16/10
Posts: 730
I think that "belonging" is in the mind of the resident, if that makes sense. :)
The person in question has to feel accepted, has to personally feel like they belong with a group or to a location, like they're one of the crowd. The problem is that it's super easy for someone who feels more entitled (generally a long-time member of a group) to make someone feel like they don't belong.
Ideally there's no deciding who does or doesn't belong, although in practice there's always some discrimination. I agree with Anne above, in that it's a goal to strive toward.
Join Date: 10/24/20
Posts: 17
To belong means to feel comfortable, to be oneself. It is a state of mind and not just place. People can be welcoming and inclusive but in the end, a person must feel that he/she belongs. That person needs to feel that he/she is accepted for the person he/she is despite any perceived differences. It is not just tolerance but acceptance.
Join Date: 05/29/15
Posts: 460
Mrs.Wilson was right! Mathinna certainly belonged there more than the Franklin's did.
Join Date: 08/04/20
Posts: 32
It would be the relationships that make you feel like you belong. The people would decide who belongs. It is also how willing you are to give of yourself...
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