10_Mary_Street

1.The context is both physical and psychological. What did the address of 10 Mary Street provide for the family that resided there' Physically, the address 10 Mary street provides the Skyzynecki family with a house to live in, it provides them with a shelter and a place in which they can spend time in each others company. Psychologically 10 Mary street provides comfort and support, it is a place where the family can be themselves and celebrate their culture away from the prying eyes of Australia society. The similes “like a well-oiled lock” is one example of the security that the house provides. 2. What are the connotations of the description of the bridge as “still too narrow”' What does it suggest about the family's sense of belonging in the community' The line “still too narrow” is a representation of the narrow mindedness of Australians towards immigrant families. This type of symbolism shows the migrants discomfort and suggests that they do not feel welcome in Australia. 3. What do the words “polite hum-drum” suggest about the parents' attitude to their jobs' “Polite hum-drum” is something that expresses the tedious repetition of work that the migrants experience in day to day life. It displays the the parents negative attitude towards their jobs. How does their attitude to their garden contrast this' The Skrzynecki parents have a very positive attitude towards their garden, they are so fond of it that they care for the flowers and plants like “adopted children”. The“plants- grew potatoes and rows of sweet corn: tended roses and camellias” suggest a positive environment, a sanctuary in which the family can create something out of Australian soil and feel closer to the land in which they are living. 5. How does the boy's attitude to the garden contrast with this parents'' The poet has a great lack of awareness when it comes to the importance of the garden. Unlike his parents Skrzynecki treats the garden with little respect, this is shown when he writes “I'd ravage the backyard garden like a hungry bird” this negative connotation is an indication that he has 4. no connection with the garden. He sees it as food, nothing more. 6. How does the poet present the concept that his parents “Kept pre-war Europe alive”' What aspects of belonging are depicted' Skrzynecki uses imagery throughout the stanza, using words such as“photographs and letters”, “and rye bread. This is an explanation of how the Skrzynecki family are attempting to preserve the polish heritageand continue to celebrate their culture regardless of the fact that they are living in a country who may not understand it. The aspect of belonging is depicted in this stanza when other people (visitors) are mention, this suggests that other migrants are entering the house so that they may all spend time together away from Australian society. The fact that they only celebrate inside the house is a portrayal of “not belonging” they feel as though they would not be accepted by Australians, only by other migrants. 8. Analyse the images of key, lock and garden in the poem' How does it serve to reinforce the central themes of stability and change' key is referred to various times throughout the poem such as in stanza 1 “Hid the Key under a rusty bucket” this line is a portrayal of the safety and security that they feel, that the home provides for them. Key is then used in the 5th stanza“Inheritors of a Key” this metaphor describes the migrants feelings, they have a citizenship yet they still feel like outsiders. “Key” has many different meanings, on one hand it is a representation of freedom and of opportunity but on the other hand a key can be symbolism for being locked out, it represents a barrier that the migrants are yet to overcome. Lock, like the key can provide security as it keeps things out. This is also a negative thing when the thing being locked out is the migrants and their acceptance. The garden is sanctuary for the skrzynecki parents, it is a place in which they can be themselves and grow their very own food out of Australian soil. They may not feel at home in Australian land but they have something that they have created out of this land, this would provide them with comfort and a great escape from the day to day “hum drum” of work. All three images are of great importance to both the poet and his parents, the lock and key provide safety and reassurance in a foreign place and the garden provides sanctuary.  9. Explain how each of the following points relate to 10 Mary Street 10. - identity: Identity plays a large role in 10 Mary Street, as the family spends more time living in Australia they move further and further away from their Polish identity. The poet has the largest struggle with his own identity as he as so young when he moved to the country as a migrant it would be hard for him to hold onto his Polish identity. 11. - relationships; Forming relationships with Australians would be difficult for the family, they do not have a full understanding of Australian society and they would celebrate different customs and tradition. Due to this, their relationships with each other and the other migrants become very important, they rely on each other and stick to what they know by celebrating and meeting in their home. 12. - acceptance; The Skrzynecki family is made to conform to the “norms” of Australian society, due to the fact that they are different in regards to nationality they would have to work a lot harder than the everyday Australian to gain acceptance in their society. Extension question One's identity is strengthened when part of a group. Discuss with close reference to Skrzynecki 10 Mary Street.