Individuals who have experienced an unconventional or life-changing event will inevitably face judgments from the larger society, which will then determine whether such individuals feel a truly valid sense of belonging. This concept of the importance of external factors on one's sense of belonging is represented through the novel Room written by Emma Donoghue and Gwen Harwood's poem "In the Park". In its descriptions, "In the Park" effectively captures the underlying themes of the consequences of motherhood such as a degraded social status and alienation within both personal and social contexts. Similarly, Room presents the difficulty of independently raising a child in extraordinary circumstances only to be criticized by society at large. Both texts highlight the seemingly ephemeral lives of mothers, working until childbirth, where they are forced by social expectations to sacrifice time, personal leisure, and factors that once allowed them to belong in the world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The poem “In the Park” presents the idea of ​​a mother withdrawing from “social norms” to care for her children. The mother's “unkempt state” and struggle to adhere to the family role are expressed in the phrase “Her clothes are old-fashioned” along with connotations of distancing as her children “fight” at her feet. Plus, her ex-husband thinks to himself, “Oh, but for the grace of God…” after their obligatory chat. This further highlights her degraded appearance which stereotypically does not meet the expectations of the typical housewife. Therefore, children in this context may be perceived as barriers to belonging while, on the other hand, its failure to meet social expectations results in criticism. This notion is also present within Donoghue's Room, which is however set in different circumstances where the mother is forced to raise her son Jack in restricted confinement. It deviates from social norms to provide the best education despite harsh conditions. Retreating from the norms in the context of "Room", however, it explores darker themes in contrast to "In the Park". “There's nothing to scare mom. Except old Nick, maybe. as narrated by jack, in reference to the power that the father figure has over the family. These sacrifices the mother makes to ensure Jack's safety then backfire when the media labels her as the woman who raised (as quoted) "a child of rape." Therefore, he can no longer belong due to the loss of his previous social identity. Within the two texts the concept of community moral and social responsibility is evident. Therefore, responsibilities are perceived as common obligations that are fulfilled without disputes. Harwood's 'In the Park' possesses the idea of ​​the mother “faking positivity” despite her disordered lifestyle. The structure of the poem allows for the distinction between the individual's expected external results and the true internal thoughts. This is shown when the mother initially starts chatting; “It's so sweet to hear their chatter, to see them grow and thrive.” Later, however, when her ex-husband leaves, the "They ate me alive" metaphor silently addressed to her children, serves as strong symbolism of her hidden difficulties. The mother is expected to hide since she cannot express her internal thoughts to others to avoid judgment and, most importantly, to be accepted. Similarly, in Donoghue's Room, external barriers to prevent belonging are reflected in relationships.