The Immigration Journey In Shaun Tan's 'The Arrival'

Anticipation, 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 experience 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, this new-found perspective projected me to grasp a deep understanding of my father’s immigrant journey. To mark my beginnings to the studies of immigration, I read a short excerpt of E.B White’s classic novel, Here is New York. Specifically, the novel

In regard, we are New Yorkers and always take pride in that. We are pleased to admit we play the part of the stranger. We play the minuscule parts that help the grand machine of the city run each day in and each night out. The grand size of the city draws us in as it gives us the most intimacy. Intimacy, in being able to keep to ourselves and play a larger role in our own lives, makes the city worthwhile. However, this makes it exceedingly easy to lose touch with the historical aspects of the city. We love New York for the aesthetics, but continue to take the historical culture for granted. In the past three weeks, I learned to take a step back and keep note that each building, bridge, and infrastructure I encounter has been built and seen by someone before me. Perhaps a monumental building I pass every day was built or seen by a classmate’s immigrant ancestor. With this newfound understanding, I have a deeper appreciation for the landmarks surrounding me. In summation, I take the opportunity to recognize the same Ellis Island I pass on my way to St. John’s University is the same landmark, “an approximate twelve million immigrants,” (Staff) experienced as they made their way towards the mysterious yet promising land of the United States of

Particularly, he arrived to America alone when he was just a teenager. In similar fashion, I sat experienced my adventure to Ellis Island by myself. I felt like I was going on a great new expediton and wanted to share my journey with my family, but distance stopped this from happening. This sense of loneliness added to the hysteria of mystery and anticipation of what to expect when I arrived to this new land. As I approached the land, my mind raced with millions of thoughts and my heart beat even faster with anxiousness. I can only imagine the extreme emotions my father felt on his journey to America as a young boy. I thought about other problems he would run into like language barriers and understanding the new social norms in America. It amazes me to think a person that young would be as brave and willing to give up their way of life to pursue a new one, knowing they will have to go through these