Belonging comes from the understanding, or awareness, that an external sense of being derives from an internal sense of connection and security. This critical analysis will describe how Jane Harrison's text “Stolen” relates to the concept of belonging. Stolen is a play that tells the stories of 5 Aboriginal children who were torn from their families and forced to grow up in institutions, following the European lifestyle. Children were segregated from their communities and treated as inferior beings. Their value was seen as minimal and only useful to Europeans as slaves. “Stolen” is an example of not belonging to the environment in which one lives. Children are stolen from their parents, their culture and traditions, and the homelands to which they belong. They are forced to live in unfamiliar institutions, where they are stripped of their culture and forced to live the European way. They do not belong to institutions and this has a negative impact on their lives. The play 'Stolen' gives emotional resonance to a political issue. Emotional power comes from the stories told. The aim of the play "Stolen" was to raise public awareness of the trials and tribulations that Aboriginal people had faced and are still facing. The show chronicles the experiences of many Aboriginal children forced into institutions. For many Aboriginal people the term "stolen" was also used as a mourning tool. By telling their stories they were able to let go of some of their past and gain the confidence of knowing their voices were heard. Many Aboriginal people have found it difficult to revisit memories of their childhood, but letting their past be publicly known has brought comfort to many. “Stolen” demonstrates to society… at the heart of the paper… that it is based on true events in Australian history. “Stolen” is a collection of true facts and real-life events of abducted Aboriginal children, combined into the lives of 5 Aboriginal people. “Stolen” demonstrates children's need to belong. It outlines the stories of the Stolen Generation and the struggles and trials they face. The life and belonging of five children is expressed through symbolism. The stolen generation belonged to the family and not to the institutions. The strength of power translates into a lack of belonging in children's lives. They didn't understand what was going to happen and were disconnected from the heritage. They remained isolated and alone. In their hearts they were connected to their families, but outwardly their being was created by authority figures. Stolen Works Cited, by Jane Harrison