FAQs
The main idea of Fish Cheeks is to be proud of one's identity. Throughout the entire story, Amy tries to deny her Chinese heritage but learns over time that she does not need to discard her background for the sake of others.
Is Fish Cheeks a true story? ›
In "Fish Cheeks", an autobiographical narrative by Amy Tan, fourteen-year-old Amy is thrown into a humiliating dinner with her Chinese family and the American boy on whom she has a crush. Years later, Amy reflects back on this embarrassing meal and realizes something about her parents and her heritage.
What occurred during Christmas Eve dinner that caused Amy's despair? ›
What occurred during Christmas Eve dinner that caused Amy's despair? The minister belched.
What was the author's purpose in naming the passage Fish Cheeks? ›
Why did Tan name this passage “Fish Cheeks”? Fish cheeks are the best part of the fish according to Chinese culture. . Fish cheeks remind Tan of her father, who gave them to her at Christmas.
What is the narrator's main conflict in Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan? ›
The central conflict in Amy Tan's "Fish Cheeks" develops the story's theme of cultural identity and self-acceptance. The conflict arises when the protagonist, Amy, is embarrassed by the differences between her Chinese culture and the American culture of her crush's family.
What is the climax of the Fish Cheeks? ›
The climax of Fish Cheeks, is when the families are having a meal and belching. For Amy, the situation is described as her most embarrassing moment. The reason is that the customs of her family and Robert's family clashed.
What is the message of Fish Cheeks? ›
Novelist Amy Tan narrates and records a past experience of clashing cultures in her narrative essay "Fish Cheeks" to illustrate how we should not be ashamed of our cultural background but rather accept and embrace it.
Why was Amy embarrassed in Fish Cheeks? ›
Amy is embarrassed by her family and by the food (including fish cheeks) served to the guests, and again by her father's belching after dinner, although he explains that it's a polite Chinese custom that shows satisfaction. Once the night is over she is in silence and not sure what to even say.
How old is the girl in Fish Cheeks? ›
The autobiographical narrative, "Fish Cheeks," by Amy Tan, is about a fourteen-year-old girl named Amy who lives in America. The problem Amy experiences is that she is ashamed of her family.
What does the skirt in Fish Cheeks symbolize? ›
Explanation: The fish cheeks and beige tweed mini skirt are used as symbols by Tan in her writing. The fish cheeks symbolize her Chinese culture, while the mini skirt symbolizes her desire to assimilate into American culture.
Explanation: The irony in the last sentence of Amy Tan's short story "Fish Cheeks" is that the narrator, who once felt ashamed of her Chinese heritage and the traditional Christmas dinner her family prepared, eventually understands the value of her culture and appreciates the unique experiences it provided.
What does paragraph 2 reveal about the narrator's point of view in Fish Cheeks? ›
Expert-Verified Answer. In paragraph 2 of the narrative "Fish Cheeks", the narrator's point of view is revealed as one of confusion, awkwardness, and embarrassment. The narrator is a fourteen-year-old Chinese-American girl, attending a Christmas Eve dinner at her parent's house.
What does food symbolize in Fish Cheeks? ›
Fish Cheeks (Food)
In Chinese culture, fish cheeks are considered a delicacy, a soft and enticing part of the fish; more than this, though, fish cheeks are one of Tan's favorite foods at 14. Tan's rejection of this food represents her rejection of her heritage and her shame at her Chinese identity.
What is the central idea of the Fish Cheeks? ›
She describes her shame by saying, “My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks…, dipping them into the dozen or so plates of food.” The theme of this story is about feeling ashamed to show who you truly are as well as your loved ones and where you come from.
Why does Tan cry when she finds out that the boy she is in love with is coming to dinner? ›
Tan cried when she found out that the boy she is in love with is coming to dinner because she doesn't want him to think that the way her family celebrates Christmas is disappointing. 2. Why does Tan's mother go out of her way to prepare a disturbingly traditional Chinese dinner for her daughter and guests?
What is the central theme of the poem the fish comment? ›
Expert-Verified Answer. The poem "The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop conveys a contemplative tone through descriptive and admiring diction. The themes of resilience, beauty in imperfection, and the connection between humans and nature are explored as the speaker observes and reflects upon the fish they have caught.
What is the main idea of the poem the fish? ›
Main idea is what the poem is mostly about. It's not a summary because it doesn't contain many specific details. The main idea is the idea that all those little details go to support. To find the main idea, rev up your RPMs.
What was the purpose of writing Fish Cheeks? ›
By sharing her vulnerability, Tan creates a relatable and engaging reading experience for the audience. In conclusion, Amy Tan's purposes in writing "Fish Cheeks" are to inform readers about her cultural background and to entertain them by expressing her emotions.
What is Tan's purpose in writing Fish Cheeks? ›
Tan's purpose in writing this essay was to convey the embarrassment many children of immigrants experience. She wants to address the shame felt by those living between two cultures. The reading is not mere entertainment; it has a lesson.
