Peter Skrzynecki explores various aspects of belonging and not belonging in his poems ancestors, Feliks, and 10 Mary Street

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Peter Skrzynecki explores various aspects of belonging and not belonging in his poems "ancestors", "Feliks", and "10 Mary Street". Using language techniques such as enjambment, simile, metaphor and alliteration Peter Skrzynecki broadens the reader's concept of belonging through the medium of poetry.

Peter Skrzynecki uses the theme of not belonging in his poems to contrast, and thereby better convey, his ideas on belonging. The poem "Feliks" explores the relationship between Peter and his father and represents Peter's ideas about belonging by contrasting his immigrant father's sense of belonging with his own sense of belonging as a youth torn between two culturally opposing worlds while at the same time exploring the alienation Peter feels from his fathers world. The poem "ancestors" further compounds Peter's feelings of alienation from his culture, heritage and land of birth while the poem "10 Mary Street" investigates the alienation immigrants can feel in their new homeland and the resentment they feel towards the idea of assimilation.

"Feliks" is written about the poet's father. The words opening line "My gentle father" shows that Peter Skrzynecki loves and respects his father and set the tone for the poem; however a feeling of isolation and