Week 1 - The Arrival

Words are technically never really necessary. That is why people can communicate through sign language or play games like charades. Visuals are our first line in understanding our environment or situation. Of course, words make it easier but in the case of The Arrival it allows the reader to more comprehensively read the book and relate to the characters’ situation rather than get caught up in the semantics of who they are. This way it can better apply to any immigrants’ story rather than just this particular family. A story like this can successfully go without words because it gives consecutive well drawn out visuals that are easy to interpret and relate to. Tan often will draw out images happening right after each other like when the main character is talking to the man helping him through customs after his ship lands. The scene where he is having an exchange with the other man shows us thoroughly the confusion on his face and accurately drives an emotion to help us understand the situation. There are also often flashback scenes drawn out. For example, when the man and the boy are helping the main character with food. They recall their own past and story of emigration. What also helps is the characters are all easily differentiated and we can tell it is the man and the boy who are recalling their story.