Our identity is more complex than just how we are represented by our physical appearance, as it’s shaped by our culture, experiences and values. When composers explore identity as a theme in their texts, they use different techniques to show how these factors come together to create each individual’s unique identity. Noonuccal's poem ‘We Are Going’ discusses the shared identity of indigenous people and their struggle to protect their cultural identity due to colonisation. Brierley’s novel ‘Lion’ is about the author’s journey from being a lost Indian boy to becoming an adopted Australian, who is determined to reconnect with his Indian heritage and find his identity along the way. Both these texts are highly effective in exploring identity using several language and poetic techniques and reveal that identity is something that grows with us over time.
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Throughout the novel, Saroo reflects on his past, trying to protect what’s left of his childhood memories. “Not having enough to eat paralyses you and keeps you living hour by hour instead of thinking about what you would like to accomplish in a day, week, month or year”. This quote showcases the daily struggle for survival that the author went through in his early childhood and the contrast of this to his life in Australia. To add to this the theme of identity is also explored in the text through Saroo struggling with who he is by belonging to two different worlds, with him being in Australia but longing to reunite his Australian upbringing with his Indian culture and homeland. Moreover, the use of cultural references highlights his deep connection to his Indian heritage. The reference to Jalebis, a sweet he loves, serves as a link to his past and triggers memories of his past that guide him home. The longing for simple things from his childhood like the jalebis reveals the sense of loss and longing the character is
Throughout the novel, Saroo reflects on his past, trying to protect what’s left of his childhood memories. “Not having enough to eat paralyses you and keeps you living hour by hour instead of thinking about what you would like to accomplish in a day, week, month or year”. This quote showcases the daily struggle for survival that the author went through in his early childhood and the contrast of this to his life in Australia. To add to this the theme of identity is also explored in the text through Saroo struggling with who he is by belonging to two different worlds, with him being in Australia but longing to reunite his Australian upbringing with his Indian culture and homeland. Moreover, the use of cultural references highlights his deep connection to his Indian heritage. The reference to Jalebis, a sweet he loves, serves as a link to his past and triggers memories of his past that guide him home. The longing for simple things from his childhood like the jalebis reveals the sense of loss and longing the character is