In reading graphic novels, we often encounter terms such as allegory or allegorical. This simply means that the characters, situations, and the elements of the graphic novel represent something else in life that we encounter.
At times, graphic novels are also considered to be didactic. They seem to try to teach us something about our world, society, and ourselves that the author thinks that we should know.
Metaphor also plays a large part in graphic novels. Metaphor is an indirect comparison of two things. Thus, often a graphic that we see in a graphic novel is an implicit comparison. At times it can seem to be similar to an allegory; however, in an allegory, every aspect seems to represent something else while a metaphor takes one aspect of the comparison and sustains that through the novel or story.
One other element that is important to understand in graphic novels is the concept of allusion. An allusion, not to be confused with illusion, is either a direct or indirect reference to someone or something else. In order
for graphic novels to have the powerful effect that they have, there are a variety of references to other people, situations, or countries.
Stories are not created in a vacuum. Often there are episodes or things that pique an author's interest, which sets him or her off on the hunt for the story. Tan admits to using the painting of E. Phillips Fox called "Landing of Captain Cook at Botany Bay," to inspire some of his work. He used this painting as a reference for his novel's two-page illustration featuring the golden ship. This is an example of artistic allusion. There are other examples in their comments that alert the reader to how this story came to be.