Fish Cheeks Commonlit Answer Key Pdf (2024)

FAQs

What is the central idea of the Fish Cheeks? ›

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.

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? The minister belched.

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.

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.

"Fish Cheeks is named for the lean, tender cheek meat that is considered the tastiest part of a fish and a delicacy in Asia."

Though only one page, “Fish Cheeks” examines important themes such as The Celebration of Difference, Shame About One's Cultural Heritage, and Generational Differences and the Desire to Assimilate. The essay opens when Tan, the narrator, is 14 years old.

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?

However, Amy is humiliated by the smell and appearance of the fish's head, and she feels that her family's Chinese traditions are being ridiculed. She is embarrassed and does not want Robert to see her eating the fish's head, so she wishes she could disappear.

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.

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.

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.

A metaphor in "Fish Cheeks" "knife markings on squid resembling bicycle tires" A simile in "Fish Cheeks" "Tofu, which looked like stacked wedges of rubbery white sponges" An example of personification in "Fish Cheeks"

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. Amy embarrassed the entire family by taking the fish cheeks.

Amy tan is the author and protagonist in "Fish Cheeks". Amy Tan uses Indirect characterization so that the audience can interpret the personality of fourteen year old Amy. Amy uses this literary element to show her frustration, humiliation and angst she experience during the dinner.

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.

“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.

The correct option is D. Amy Tan's purpose in writing “Fish Cheeks to inform and entertain by describing real events and expressing emotion.

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.