The Post-Colonialism Terms In "The Visitor" (2007)

Name: Institution: Course: Date: The Visitor (2007) The Visitor presents an alienated American man (Walter) who encounters immigrants, Zainab from Senegal and Tarek from Syria (McCarthy n.p). His encounter with immigrants enriches his life. Although he is educated and much aware of his culture, history, and politics, Walter’s life seemingly lacks joy. He is a lonely figure until he meets the strangers who become his friends and he is introduced to new music by one of them. The main idea in the film focuses on the detention of the Syrian musician because he is an undocumented immigrant. The director of the film, Tom McCarthy, allows the viewers to understand the procedures in authority, the different nature of human experience, and the unpredictability of friendship in an immigrant’s story. The essay begins by analyzing how undocumented immigrants suffer in the hands of authorities due to their status. This is followed by a discussion about the challenges facing the immigrants while the last paragraph illustrates some positive side of accommodating immigrants. Normally, individuals in power are less concerned about the welfare of their inferiors. Those who have little or no powers at all end up suffering in the hands of others because they cannot stand out and fight for their rights. As Walter drives to New York, there is a sign on the highway that says “support our troops”. The sign portrays a patriotism gesture by the government towards American soldiers serving in Iraq after the 9/11 world trade center attack. It seems to be a loyalty gesture and at the same time an obligation that has been passed on to the citizens thus raising questions on the mandates of governments to its citizens and vice versa. In a different scene, Tarek uses his train card to allow Walter through but he finds himself in trouble when the policemen accuse him of jumping the turnstile and fare beating and thus arrested. The policemen are cold and suspicious about him, and he is detained after they learn that he is illegally in the country. The fear of terrorists makes people of Middle East origin being treated as suspects. According to Tarek, terrorists are not vulnerable as he is because they have money and support. He remains vulnerable to government’s directives and subject to deportation regardless of his preferences or relationsh...