Benjamin Waldman

UWRT1103/Brown
10/17/15

1. The value this novel had for me was mostly how it made me think. By not including
text, the author exposed the readers to thinking of their own ideas of what the story
may be saying. This is important because it helps us to think more deeply and see the
effect the images have on us.

2. Exposing the reader to a novel without words causes deeper thinking by the reader as
well as being able to create your own story to a certain extent. A small detail could
change a readers perspective from page to page.

3. The author of the Arrival, Shaun Tan, was innovative in the way of how he changed
the color tones in order to reflect what was happening on any given page. Along with
this he also created abstract images that caught my attention. Some of the images
within the book would cause me to need to look closely for what it was attempting to
portray.

4. If I were to discuss my opinion of the novel with Shaun Tan, I would first ask him
why he decided to create this book of images. I would also explain to him that he has
a tremendous talent in storytelling through pictures. Being able to read a novel that
was so different than any other while still being told a story worth knowing was a
gift.

5. Lessons I learned from this novel include how to tell myself a story from images and
how the images can be as effective as words in a book full of text. The in-class
prompts taught me how to better define my own idea of the human experience from
the book and real life. Within this reflection, I have learned that The Arrival has
taught me more than I thought at first. I enjoyed the novel, and I would suggest it to
many others.

1. Rank the best to worst:

1. Better than Sex Cake
2. Trash Cag Chicken
3. Onion-Roasted Potatoes
4. Sensational Chicken Noodle Soup
5. 5-Minute Double Layer Chocolate Pie
6. Smore Pie
7. Cranberry Walnut Cheesecake Pie
8. Chocolate Chip Chocolate Pound Cake
9. Pasta Bolognese
10. One-Bowl Holiday Fudge
11. Classic Pecan Pie
12. Chocapocalypse Cookie
13. Italian-American Lasagna
1. We ranked the recipes based on easiness, the amount that each recipes
make, taste, attractiveness of final product, and how long it takes to make
the recipes.
b. Common Features:
i.
All of the recipes include measurements, step-by-step directions, and a final
product.
b. Best Features:
i.
Recipes are easy to understand, it gives you a specific amount of time it takes to
make the product.
b. Set of instructions for preparing a particular dish, including a list of the ingredients
required
c. Build a purpose for the genre:
i.
to have directions for a final outcome for preparing a dish
b. Criteria Set:
i.
Step-by-Step directions
ii.
measurements
iii.
ingredients
iv.
time requirements
v.
process has to be exact (no room for errors)
b. How to make The Arrival
i.
Ingredients:
1. paper
2. 65 pages
3. neutral-colored ink
4. binding (horse glue is commonly used)
5. cover
ii.
Directions
1. create page layouts
2. draw pictures
3. place pictures in layout
4. place pages in desired order
5. edit
6. send to publisher

I enjoyed the abstract images

Some parts of the story were difficult to follow
Overall it was an enjoyable novel

My favorite part of the book was the animal following the Father around in the
foreign territory. I enjoyed this because it seemed to help when the Father
was lost or confused.

My least favorite part of the book was is the fourth chapter when the Father
and another man were in what seemed to look like a bar in the form of an
assembly line. It was confusing to me as to where they were, although I
suppose that was the authors objective.

The tones do help to influence how I perceive the story. They change quite a
bit when someone is telling a story to the main character as compared to
when the story is progressing through time normally.

I believe that the images are mostly expressionist-style turned to abstract

because of the odd shapes and sizes of some buildings/objects.

I would not say that the lack of words helped me understand the story of the
traveler at all, but rather it kept me engaged in the story. The ability to see
emotions on the characters face made a more lasting impression on me.

Leaving all I know and love does not attract me whatsoever. The risk is not
worth the reward in my mind.

I relate most to the Father once he becomes attached to the animal that
follows him. Personally, I always enjoy the company of other animals. The
creature depicted in the boom seems most like a dog to me.

The pictures I drew in class first included me at my first MLB game at Comerica
Park, home of the Detroit Tigers located in Detroit, Michigan. Secondly, a computer
screen showing my acceptance into the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Third and Lastly, my dorm room in Scott Hall.