comment on theme

The entire novel is centered around the man’s journey as an immigrant, so it is no surprise that immigration itself is a central theme within the novel. Even though many aspects of the setting are fictional, Tan nonetheless works to convey a realistic depiction of the immigrant experience. While the man is not necessarily forced to leave his country, he knows it is the best choice to make both for his and his family’s future. However, the stories that other immigrants in the novel share show that while some immigrants may voluntarily leave their country, others simply have no choice in the matter. Thus, Tan considers many different aspects and experiences of immigration. In the man’s own personal journey of immigration, he has both positive and negative experiences.