Belong Romulus

An individual’s quest to fulfil an innate need to feel a sense of belonging is rooted in their interactions with others and the world around them. By achieving a sense of belonging, an individual is able to decode the intrinsic nature of understanding their own identity and place in the world and thus, enrich their life. Conversely, an inability to forge connections with the world, can lead individuals to a trail of life that is immersed in alienation and deepening need to belong. It is this notion that individuals most fear and in turn, attempt to prevent this by making sacrifices and conforming to the world around them to foster connections. The memoir, “Romulus, my Father” by Raimond Gaita and the cinematic masterpiece, “Ran” by Akira Kurosawa, embody the gravity of achieving a sense of belonging in their world.

In “Romulus, my Father”,Gaita depicts the notion of how deep family bonds can provide a sense of belonging to an individual. Through the enduring relationship between Gaita and Romulus, “after what we had shared at Frogmore, no quarrel could estrange us”, Gaita’s moral and values have been influenced and thus defined his character. This is evident by the philosophical tone of the memoir in which Gaita emotively recalls, “I know what a good workman is, I know because I remember these things in my father”. The significance is tremendous, as the repetitions of first pronouns, “I know” highlights the impact of his father in giving him a sense of identity. In addition, the accumulation of philosophical concepts such as “honesty”, “loyalty”, “capacity to do hard work” highlight the morals and values of Romulus that have been promoted in Gaita’s character. Similarly, this notion is also depicted in the film, “Ran”. Kurosawa, depicts the fall of the Ichimonji clan as the result of the weak familial bonds of the ruling family. The warlord, Hidetora abdicates and splits his kingdom for his three sons. Upon abdication, the warlord is viewed with low camera...