comment on style / language

Though the narrative is an entirely wordless graphic novel, language nonetheless plays an important role in the story. While the novel lacks any written narration or dialogue, there is the presence of a fictional language once the man enters into the new country. Neither the man nor the reader can understand this fictional system of symbols. The reader is thus faced with the same challenges and frustrations that the man feels when it comes to language and communication. This allows Tan to construct an immersive and realistic setting, as he pushes his readers to understand aspects of the immigrant experience through a shared experience with the man. The man does eventually find ways to communicate with other characters despite the language barrier he is faced with, as he utilizes facial expressions, hand gestures, and even drawings to get across his meanings.