Importance of The Family Portrait

Throughout the many hardships the man faces as an immigrant in a strange, new country, the portrait of his family aids him as a symbol of hope. The photo, which depicts the man standing alongside his wife and daughter, is the first thing he packs when he leaves his home country and the first thing he unpacks when he arrives in his new country. As the man struggles to integrate in his new community, he gazes upon the photo of his family and recalls the happy moments he has shared with them. The man is thus able to use the portrait to maintain hope during difficult times, as it is this desire to see his family again that keeps him motivated.