Fish Cheeks By Amy Tan Answer Key Pdf
As a student, you might have read Amy Tan's "Fish Cheeks" short story or preparing to teach it. If so, you may be looking for a comprehensive answer key to guide you through the story's themes, characters, and symbols. This guide provides a detailed analysis of the short story, including the interpretation of quotes, study questions, and answer key in PDF format. So, let's dive into Amy Tan's "Fish Cheeks" and uncover its hidden meanings.
The Plot of Fish Cheeks
"Fish Cheeks" is a short story by Amy Tan that narrates the experience of a teenage girl, Amy, who is struggling with her Chinese identity. The story is set during a Christmas Eve dinner at the protagonist's house, where her parents invited their American family friends to dine with them. Despite being excited about the dinner, Amy is embarrassed by her family's Chinese traditions, which seem strange to her American friends, especially her crush, Robert.
Throughout the night, Amy's mother prepares traditional Chinese cuisine like steamed fish, squid, and spare ribs, which she finds revolting. Meanwhile, her father offers their guests Chinese delicacies like chicken feet, which they refuse to eat. Amy's humiliation heightens when she discovers that her parents plan to serve fish cheeks, which she finds the most disgusting part of the fish.
As the dinner progresses, Amy becomes increasingly ashamed of her family's customs, but her embarrassment turns into acceptance when her mother reminds her of the beauty of her heritage. Despite her cultural differences, Amy learns to appreciate her identity and embrace her roots.
The Themes in Fish Cheeks
Like most stories, "Fish Cheeks" has several significant themes that provide insight into the author's purpose. Some of the significant themes in the short story are;
Cultural Identity
Cultural identity is a significant theme in "Fish Cheeks," as it highlights the protagonist's struggle to reconcile her Chinese heritage with her American upbringing. Amy Tan uses the story to portray the difficulties of maintaining a cultural identity in a foreign land, where one's customs and beliefs may seem strange to others. The story emphasizes that one must embrace their heritage and be proud of their traditions, despite the differences that separate them from others.
Family Relationships
Family relationships are another vital theme in "Fish Cheeks," as the story centers around the protagonist's relationship with her parents. The story portrays the challenges of parent-child relationships, especially when the child's cultural identity conflicts with the parents'. The protagonist's mother plays a significant role in the story, as she reminds Amy of the importance of her heritage and helps her overcome her embarrassment.
Acceptance and Self-Discovery
"Fish Cheeks" explores the themes of acceptance and self-discovery as Amy comes to terms with her cultural identity. The story emphasizes that one must be proud of their identity and embrace it, despite the challenges they may face. Through the protagonist's experience, Amy Tan highlights the transformative power of self-discovery and acceptance.
The Characters in Fish Cheeks
Amy Tan uses several characters to convey the story's themes and messages. Some of the significant characters in "Fish Cheeks" include:
The Protagonist
The protagonist of "Fish Cheeks" is a teenage girl named Amy, who struggles with her Chinese identity. Amy is a dynamic character who transforms throughout the story, from a self-loathing teenager to someone who embraces her heritage.
Amy's Mother
Amy's mother plays a significant role in the story as she helps her daughter embrace her cultural identity. She represents the wisdom and guidance needed to overcome cultural conflicts and self-doubts.
Robert
Robert is the protagonist's crush and a symbol of the American culture that seems to dominate the world. He represents the pressure to conform to Western ideas and preferences.
The Symbols in Fish Cheeks
Amy Tan uses several symbols in "Fish Cheeks" to communicate the story's underlying messages. Here are some of the key symbols in the story:
The Fish Cheeks
The fish cheeks symbolize the protagonist's embarrassment and self-loathing, as she considers them to be the most disgusting part of the fish. However, the fish cheeks also represent the beauty of Chinese culture and the protagonist's ultimate appreciation of her heritage.
The Chinese Cuisine
The Chinese cuisine represents the protagonist's cultural identity, as she struggles to reconcile her Chinese heritage with her American upbringing. The Chinese dishes also symbolize the diversity of cultures and the importance of embracing cultural differences.
The White Dress
The white dress represents the protagonist's desire to fit in with her American friends and conform to Western ideas and preferences. However, she ultimately learns to embrace her heritage and appreciate her cultural identity.
Conclusion
"Fish Cheeks" is a poignant short story that explores the challenges of cultural identity and the transformative power of self-discovery. The story's themes, characters, and symbols provide insight into the author's purpose and message. With this comprehensive answer key in PDF format, you will be able to guide your students through the story's complexities and help them uncover its hidden meanings.
