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.
What does paragraph 8 in Fish Cheeks reveal about the narrator's character development? ›
What does paragraph 8 reveal about the narrator's character development? After the dinner, she realizes that the minister's son is not as friendly as she thought. As an adult, she regrets trying to fit in with other Americans and losing her identity.
Why did Amy not enjoy her favorite food at dinner? ›
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.
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 is Tan's purpose in writing Fish Cheeks? ›
The correct option is D. Amy Tan's purpose in writing “Fish Cheeks to inform and entertain by describing real events and expressing emotion.
What is the central conflict of Fish Cheeks? ›
The major conflict of this story is Amy trying to impress Robert, but cannot do so because she finds her family and Chinese culture embarrassing compared to the American one.
What is the climax of 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 mood and tone of the Fish Cheeks? ›
Answer and Explanation:
The tone of the story is reflective as well as somewhat light hearted. She is reflects on this experience and about how her thoughts and feelings as a younger person about her Chinese identity have evolved as she has grown older.
What is the main characters name in Fish Cheeks? ›
Summary of "Fish Cheeks"
The short story is about fourteen year old Amy Tan, a daughter of chinese immigrants. Ultimately Amy deals with perception of two different cultures, american culture and chinese culture.
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.
Explanation: In the story Fish Cheeks, what embarrasses Amy the most during the dinner is her family's manner (option C). This includes how loudly they eat, the traditional food they serve, and the way they interact with each other, which Amy fears is unwelcoming and exotic to her American guest, Robert.
What does Amy's mother mean when she says your only shame is to have shame? ›
What did Tan's mother mean when she said to Amy, “Your only shame is to have shame”? Her mother is attempting to point out that Amy should not be embarrassed about her culture. Amy's actions at dinner were embarrassing to her mother.
Why did Tan name this 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.
Why is the narrator worried about her mother's Christmas Eve dinner menu in Fish Cheeks? ›
Her mother prepared a meal consisting of various Chinese dishes, including prawns, tofu, fish, dried fungus, and squid, which seemed strange to Robert and his family. During the meal, the narrator felt embarrassed by her family's behavior and cultural differences.
What is the irony of the last sentence of the essay "Fish Cheeks"? ›
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 is the central idea of the fish? ›
“The Fish” Themes
The poem illustrates how that empathy can be humbling, reminding people that, even if they might be used to seeing themselves as distinct from animals, they're really in the same boat: animals and humans alike take part in all the mess, struggle, and beauty of life.
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 overall tone of Fish Cheeks? ›
The tone of the story is reflective as well as somewhat light hearted. She is reflects on this experience and about how her thoughts and feelings as a younger person about her Chinese identity have evolved as she has grown older.
What is the perspective of Fish Cheeks? ›
In the autobiographical narrative "Fish Cheeks," Amy Tan contrasts her perspective at a Christmas dinner with the other individuals at the same Christmas dinner to highlight her cultural shame. The embarrassment Tan feels of her culture is a main perspective depicted throughout this narrative.