The Arrival - Shaun Tan - 1952 Words

The Arrival - Shaun Tan Where the text came from The Arrival is a migrant story told as a series of wordless images, it was illustrated by Shaun Tan in 2006. Purpose of text The fact that Shaun Tan grew up in Perth, he said was one of the main reasons for making so many novels based on the concept of belonging, he describe Perth as being one of the most isolated cities in the world, sandwiched between a vast desert and a vaster ocean, and they lived in a â€Å"freshly minted northern suburb that was devoid of any clear cultural identity or history†. Also, being half-Chinese, Tan was subject to racism and being consistently asked ‘where are you from’, he had a sense of separateness, and an unclear notion of identity and not understanding what†¦show more content†¦By having words the reader’s imagination is forced to be limited and they interpret the image on the surface rather than letting the image have more conceptual space around it. Also, by not using words, Tan demonstrates the confusion an immigrant might feel upon arrival in a new country where the language is unknown. Obviously, this means the reader will not be able to read what the maps, newspapers and street signs actually say, so we too are forced into this world of the unknown, as the immigrant is. Facial expressions and body language – is a key part, especially in a wordless novel, in interpreting the scenario depicted in the story. On arrival of the male protagonist to the ‘new world’, the physical effects of dislocation and confusion are written on his face, which is juxtaposed to the mechanical and faceless actions of the immigration officials. Images show some of the ways characters can represent feelings of alienation, in these scene, the centre top frame shows the confusion as he tries to make sense of unfamiliar territory and language. His face and body position him as outside the circle of belonging. Structure – the narrative is driven by storyboarding and montage and is backed into reflective mode through large scale landscapes scenes. For example the opening pages depict items that relate to the emotionally heart-breaking scene where husband and wife prepare for his departure. Later theShow MoreRelatedThe Arrival By Shaun Tan1286 Words   |  6 PagesAnticipation, heartache, and mystery are only a few of the abundant emotions immigrants feel on their journey to the United States. Notably, in Shaun Tan’s graphic novel, The Arrival, the main character experiences the same series of emotions on his immigration journey seeking safe haven. In fact, through the three-week introduction to a new adventure and literature, I was able to tune into the same feelings and genuinely understand the dismal journey of the immigrant archetype. Furthermore, thisRead MoreAnalysis Of Shaun Tan s The Arrival1569 Words   |  7 Pagessaid that although we have made our own choices, our companions steer us to either achieve or hinder such goals from happening. In popular culture, our relationships can encourage the chances of growth and success. This is directly proven in Shaun Tan’s The Arrival, where the unnamed protagonist initially struggles to adapt to the culture of his new city. Later on in the book, he comes across other people who have came from different backgrounds and hears about their stories about how they arrived toRead MoreLiterature is a textually transmitted disease, normally contracted in childhood‚Äà ¹ Word and Image in Shaun Tans The Arrival3817 Words   |  16 PagesLiterature is a textually transmitted disease, normally contracted in childhood† Word and Image in Shaun Tans The Arrival As a reader we are evidently drawn firstly to a book who’s title and/or image on the cover excites us. Adult Fiction is evidently presented in the form of a novel but Shaun Tan breaks away from traditional conventions of a novel format, producing texts that inhabit the shape of a picture book, whether including or excluding written language. ThisRead MoreEssay The Arrival981 Words   |  4 PagesEnglish Speech The Arrival by Shaun Tan is a graphic novel which follows the story of a man who embarks on the journey of migration. The notions of belonging that are highlighted in the text are belonging to a place and belonging to a family. The composer establishes these through the masterful employment of various visual techniques. One of the foremost themes of the novel is the concept of belonging to a place, in particular the connection to a homeland. A disturbance in the main environmentRead MoreShaun Tan984 Words   |  4 PagesShaun Tan Shaun Tan, born in 1974, is an award winning illustrator and author of many well-known children’s books. Tan was born and raised in Fremantle, Western Australia, where as a boy, spent his time writing and illustrating poems and stories. Tan was known at his primary school as very talented artist. Through out high school, Tan continued his passion for illustrating, where he was enrolled in a special art program for gifted students. However, Tan eventually took an academic path into universityRead MoreLiterary Criticism : The Unassuming And Humble Picture Essay1732 Words   |  7 Pagesbook, this essay explores the exotic affordances of children’s literature, emphasising its power to enhance the child’s intellectual and emotional development. With explicit reference to Rob Gonsalves and Sarah L. Thomson’s Imagine a Day and Shaun Tan’s The Arrival, this essay aims also to prove the sacred role fantasy plays in providing a means for children to under stand the world around them. Intellectual development is defined as ‘the measure of how individuals learn to think and reason for themselvesRead MoreThe Immigrants Experience Through The Graphic Novel The Arrival 1305 Words   |  6 Pages Shaun Tan depicts the immigrant experience through the graphic novel, The Arrival. Tan sets many emotions and thoughts in motion, without using any words. Tan depicts the many challenges immigrants face when venturing to a foreign land for the first time. This graphic novel depict the immigrant experience in a very effective way. Tan does so by using many different methods to demonstrate this experience, the strange language, strange surrounds, and unfamiliar people, are some of the most prominentRead MoreThe Red Tree1717 Words   |  7 PagesThe Red Tree is another outstanding book by Australian illustrator and author Shaun Tan. The book published by Hachette Australia in 2001 leads us on one girl’s journey through a dark and confusing path of depression. Although each page contains a few words it is the images that capture the reader’s attention with new objects, images and meanings discovered each time the book is reopened. Shaun Tan has had an impressive illustrative career spanning over fifteen years. He has won various awardsRead MoreBelonging Essay1446 Words   |  6 Pagesplace in belonging as a student in the poem ‘St Patrick’s College.’ Additionally, this poem also explores his physical existence within the school; however there are clear divisions in him not belonging. The related texts reviewed include ‘The Arrival’ (Shaun Tan, 2006) graphic novel which illustrates a visual story of an immigrant who leaves home to create a better life for his family and the play ‘Away’ (Michael Gow, 1993). Thus it may be ascertained, that belonging defines who we are. In the poemRead MoreBelonging Essay2272 Words   |  10 Pages    multifaceted   nature   of   this   innate   desire.   Whilst   Mark   Osborne’s   claymation   More    (1998)   depicts   belonging   to   society   as   a   hindrance   to   the   development   of   an   identity,    Shaun   Tan’s   picture   book   The   Lost   Thing   reinforces   society’s   ability   to   function   as   a    barrier   which   paradoxically   enriches   one’s   personal   sense   of   belonging.       Within   Ã¢â‚¬ËœFeliks   Skrzynecki’