Arthur Arellano Character Analysis

The main character of “The Transplant.” Arthur is a middle-aged man with a gambling addiction. As a result of this addiction, he had lost his home in a bet, and subsequently he separated from his wife Norma. When his liver started to fail, however, Norma returned to him to support him through his transplant and recovery. Arthur befriends Louis Vu, whom he thinks is the son of his organ donor. In Arthur’s case, Nguyen makes literal the idea that humans need intimacy to live, as the intimacy and support that Arthur receives from both Norma and Louis help him to literally survive. Yet even though Arthur tries to view his liver transplant as giving him a new lease on life, Arthur does not change his habits. He continues to be self-absorbed and continues his obsession with gambling. The irony of his story lies in the fact that many of the refugee characters in the book are forced into a new life but are able to overcome immense outside adversity, while Arthur is given an opportunity to make something better of himself and is unable to because of his personal irresponsibility.