Feliks Skrzynecki Analysis

In the poems “Feliks Skrzynecki” and “St Patrick’s College”, Peter Skrzynecki explores the relationship between understanding and belonging through his experiences, both with his father and at school. Brandon Sanderson delves into the effects prejudice can have on acceptance in the novel “Mistborn: The Final Empire”. These texts all demonstrate how inclusion can be prevented by a reluctance to accept or engage. Peter feels estranged from his father in “Feliks Skrzynecki” and disconnected with his school in “St Patrick’s College”. The concepts of disconnection and estrangement are further revealed in “Mistborn: The Final Empire”, along with perceptions of exclusion. Collectively, the texts

Peter experiences a sense of separation from his father

in “Feliks Skrzynecki”, causing him to feel unaccepted. Peter believes he is neglected by his father; this, along with his inability to relate to his father, leads to an attitude of estrangement. This attitude is demonstrated through Peter’s description of his father, stating he “Loved his garden like an only child.” This simile reveals Peter’s belief that his father cares more about his plants than he does his son. Peter cannot comprehend the importance that a garden can have to someone, and so he feels disconnected from his father. Peter’s critical observations that his father’s “Polish friends / Always shook hands too violently” is a form of hyperbole, and further demonstrates how Peter is judgemental of his father’s behaviour. Peter does not attempt to understand the reasons behind his father’s actions, and instead criticizes what his father does. Peter’s separation from his father is shown when he states his father “Watched me pegging my tents / Further and further south of Hadrian’s Wall.” The metaphor demonstrates how Peter believes his separation is only worsening, and does not believe he and his father can be reconciled. Peter experiences feelings of disconnection and alienation due to his lack of understanding of his father.
Dissatisfaction and disaffection are important themes in “St Patrick’s College”.

Peter feels resentment towards his mother for enrolling him at school, where he experiences disaffection. He believes his mother was “wanting only / “What was best”.” Peter directly quotes his mother to show how she did not think for what he wanted, but instead focused on what she thought would be better for him. “St Patrick’s College” and “Feliks Skrzynecki” both explore Peter’s dissatisfaction with his parents. Peter could not rationalise her mother’s actions, preventing him from accepting her and the school he is forced to attend. Similarly, Peter does not understand his father’s culture in “Feliks Skrzynecki”. During Peter’s initial experiences at St Patrick’s College, he “stuck pine needles / Into the motto / On my breast”. The stabbing of his school motto symbolises his disaffection towards the school. Peter has no emotional connection with his school, and humorously mocks the school’s motto - “Luceat Lux Vestra / I thought was a brand of soap.” The latin phrase meaning “let your light shine” is misunderstood by Peter to be a brand. This represents Peter’s disconnection with the school, as he is unknowledgable about the school’s culture. The phrase is later used in a powerful metaphor at the end of the poem, “That the darkness around me / Wasn’t “for the best” / Before I let my light shine”. Peter uses both his mother’s words of “for the best” and the school motto to demonstrate his dissatisfaction towards his mother and his school. He is bitter towards his mother for enrolling him at St Patrick’s College, and describes the school as “darkness”, restricting him until he graduates. That is when he can “let his light shine” - when he is free from the school’s restraints. Peter’s lack of appreciation for both his mother and his school is expressed in

censure.