Week 1: The Arrival

I thought it was interesting the way the author/illustrator conveyed the feeling of immigrating to a 
foreign land. When we are introduced to the main character, our short glimpse at his surroundings are much more familiar to us than that of the new place he immigrates to. Like him, we can not 
interpret many objects or symbols, allowing us to connect with the immigrant experience.

There seemed to be an overall feeling of wonder, opportunity, and happiness in this new world. The main character was surrounded by other immigrants who helped him make his way around the city, and in turn his family does the same for other new comers. When he meets other immigrants who tell him their histories, it seems the author took inspiration from tyrannical governments like North Korea (woman who escaped a labor camp) and Nazi Germany (man who fled from giant 'exterminators').

Man is immigrating to a new country

• Extra strange things like creatures and peculiar landmarks plague the new world this man has

joined, which seems to draw a parallel with how immigrants must feel in a new culture

• The city itself seems to be a mixture of different heritages shown by different pots and symbols

that make up the landscape

• This idea of cultures merging is exemplified by the giant sculpture of two men from different

places meet at the bay

• Even the food seems really strange

Other immigrants he’s met

• Woman who escaped a labor camp (maybe North Korea) 
• Man with the food seemed to escape Nazi esque government
• Old man in the factory was a soldier (not sure if he was an immigrant)

What do the strange familiars symbolize? Were they merely pets? I don't know!