I really enjoyed Shaun Tan’s animation “The Lost Thing.” The way he uses fantastical, science-fiction-like characters to talk about serious themes of belonging and diversity worked perfectly to send a profound message in a light-hearted and enjoyable way, as most children’s books and animations do. The Lost Thing is lovable with its awkward motions and overall clunkiness. It never speaks and goes unnoticed by almost everyone, which enforces Tan’s message regarding the hardships immigrants face as they struggle to find a sense of belonging in a new country. The imagery of the advertisements and building for the Federal Department of Odds and Ends, which render it a frightening, impersonal and cold place, create a statement about the nature of immigration law enforcement. The end of the animation also brings the narrative full-circle. The narrator explains that he doesn’t see many lost things anymore–but maybe it’s just because he doesn’t notice them anymore. This statement reflects his initial comment about how others failed to notice the Lost Thing that he noticed and took home with him. I appreciate Shaun Tan’s adherence to a constant theme in his narratives, which he continually reproduces in unique and creative ways.
