Belonging In The Simple Gift By Stephen Herrick

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In Steven Herrick's free verse novel "The Simple Gift" Herrick wants the reader to understand how important it is to not be subjective towards people based on the way they look or how they live. In the novel Stephen Herrick's narrative poem demonstrates elements of belonging and acceptance through the pain and suffering of rejection, homelessness and 'dealing with death' by the characters Billy, Caitlin and Old Bill. The Simple Gift illustrates that if you give people a chance, they can surprise you with their outcome and make you a better person.


The protagonist Billy Luckett ventures into the world, leaving home on his own accord. Billy reveals himself as a reject, a thief and a troubled character. The cause of his troubles appears to be from the physical and …show more content…

Whilst running away from home, catching a train, uncertain where the train will take him, bad weather, wind and rain causes violent memories of his father "with the forces of a father's punch". The metaphoric term further reveals Billy's abusive living environment and why he is seeking to escape. Whilst aboard the train Billy comes across an influential figure, Ernie. Ernie shows kindness to Billy and let's him stay on his boat going with the train. Billy later on states that he wished his father had qualities like Ernie "There are men like Ernie and there are other men, men like my dad." Ernie's train whistle for the next stop symbolises the beginning of Billy's new life. His next positive role model is Irene, Bendarat’s Librarian, who welcomes him and encourages him to borrow books. However, at first, Billy states that "Her badge says Irene Thompson – Chief Librarian. Trouble I’m sure." But afterwards Billy realises his initial accusations of Irene were

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