Overview of “Fish Cheeks”
Amy Tan’s “Fish Cheeks” is a short autobiographical essay, first published in 1987. It recounts a Christmas Eve dinner where Tan, a young Chinese-American girl, grapples with her cultural identity and teenage insecurities, and the clash between her family’s traditions and her desire to fit in.
Amy Tan’s Autobiographical Narrative
This narrative is a personal reflection by Amy Tan, recounting her experiences as a fourteen-year-old. The story draws directly from her life, showcasing a specific moment of cultural conflict. Tan’s candid voice allows readers to connect with her teenage anxieties and her struggles with identity. The autobiographical nature of the essay adds emotional depth to the theme of cultural assimilation and self-acceptance. The story is told through the lens of a young girl navigating the complexities of adolescence and cultural heritage.
Cultural Identity and Assimilation
This section explores the central theme of cultural identity, focusing on the tension between Amy’s Chinese heritage and her desire to assimilate into American culture. The narrative highlights her internal conflict.
The Conflict Between Chinese and American Cultures
The essay vividly portrays the clash between Amy’s Chinese family traditions and the American customs she observes in her peers. This conflict is evident in the stark differences between the traditional Chinese food served at dinner and the typical American Christmas meals. The cultural differences in behavior, such as the father’s loud burping, further amplify Amy’s embarrassment and sense of otherness, highlighting the challenges of navigating two distinct cultural landscapes.
Amy’s Embarrassment and Insecurity
Amy’s intense embarrassment stems from her deep-seated insecurity about her Chinese heritage, especially in front of her crush, Robert. She worries about how her family’s customs, particularly their food and table manners, will be perceived by the American guests. This self-consciousness leads to a feeling of shame over her family’s traditions and a strong desire to fit in with the American standards of behavior, highlighting her internal struggle with identity.
The Christmas Eve Dinner
The Christmas Eve dinner is central to the story, showcasing the stark contrast between Chinese and American cultures. It is a setting that amplifies Amy’s feelings of discomfort and cultural alienation.
Traditional Chinese Food and Customs
The dinner features traditional Chinese dishes, such as a steamed fish with its cheeks offered to guests, symbolizing respect. Amy’s father’s burping after dinner, a common Chinese custom, is perceived as rude by the American guests. The meal and its associated behaviors highlight the cultural gap and contribute to Amy’s embarrassment. These unfamiliar customs are a point of shame for young Amy who desires to be seen as typically American.
The Arrival of the Minister’s Family
The arrival of the minister’s family, particularly Robert, the minister’s son whom Amy has a crush on, intensifies her feelings of anxiety and self-consciousness. She is acutely aware of how different her family’s traditions and home are compared to the American family. Amy anticipates their judgment and is embarrassed by what they will think of her family’s Chinese customs and the food they eat. This sets the stage for her internal struggle throughout the dinner.
Amy’s Internal Struggle
Amy experiences a deep internal conflict, torn between her desire to assimilate into American culture and her shame over her family’s Chinese traditions. This struggle is a central theme within the narrative.
Desire to Fit In with American Standards
Amy’s overwhelming desire to fit in with American standards is evident in her intense worry about what Robert, her American crush, will think of her family’s traditional Chinese Christmas dinner. She yearns to be seen as “normal” and fears her family’s customs will make her appear different and undesirable in Robert’s eyes, highlighting her adolescent insecurity and longing for acceptance within a dominant culture. Her internal struggle is palpable throughout the story, demonstrating her eagerness to embrace American norms.
Shame over Her Family’s Traditions
Amy’s shame over her family’s traditions is a central theme, as she feels embarrassed by their Chinese customs, particularly the food and table manners. She dreads Robert witnessing these perceived oddities, fearing his judgment and that he will find her family and their culture strange. This leads to internal anguish as she wishes her family were more “American,” demonstrating the deep-seated conflict between her heritage and her desire for acceptance.
Mother’s Lesson and Understanding
After the dinner, Amy’s mother reveals that the menu consisted of all of Amy’s favorite foods. This act of love and acceptance helps Amy begin to understand the value of her heritage.
The Significance of the Menu
The seemingly strange menu, which included dishes like steamed fish with protruding cheeks, was actually a selection of Amy’s favorite foods. Her mother’s intention was to show her love through a meal specifically tailored to her tastes. This act of kindness and cultural expression highlights the deep connection within the family. It demonstrates a mother’s understanding of her daughter’s preferences, even amidst cultural differences and teenage angst. The menu was a silent language of love.
Realization of Love and Acceptance
After the awkward dinner, Amy eventually understands her mother’s intentions behind the seemingly embarrassing meal. She realizes that the dishes were chosen out of love and a desire to share her cultural heritage. This realization marks a shift in Amy’s perspective, moving from shame to acceptance. She begins to see her family’s traditions not as something to hide, but as a source of identity and love. This acceptance fosters a sense of self-worth and cultural pride, understanding that her family’s love transcends cultural norms.
Literary Elements
Tan employs vivid diction, imagery, and simile to convey her emotions and experiences. These literary devices help the reader understand her teenage embarrassment and the cultural nuances of the Christmas Eve dinner.
Use of Diction, Imagery, and Simile
Amy Tan skillfully uses diction to portray the stark contrast between her family’s Chinese customs and American expectations. Her descriptive imagery allows readers to visualize the scene, from the “strange” food to the family’s behavior; Similes, such as comparing her crush to “Mary in the manger,” emphasize her longing for acceptance and her feelings of being different. These elements work together to highlight her internal conflict.
Themes
The core themes of “Fish Cheeks” revolve around embracing one’s heritage and the crucial importance of self-acceptance. It explores the struggle with cultural identity and the journey towards understanding and pride.
Embracing One’s Heritage
Amy Tan’s “Fish Cheeks” emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s cultural heritage, despite feelings of shame or embarrassment. The narrative highlights Amy’s initial struggle to reconcile her Chinese traditions with her desire to assimilate into American culture. Ultimately, the story conveys a message about the value of understanding and accepting one’s roots, even when they seem different from those around you, and the richness of cultural diversity.
The Importance of Self-Acceptance
“Fish Cheeks” underscores the vital role of self-acceptance in personal growth. Amy’s journey involves moving beyond her embarrassment and embracing her authentic self, including her family and their traditions. The narrative demonstrates that true confidence arises from understanding and accepting one’s own identity, rather than seeking validation from others or trying to conform to external standards. Self-acceptance is presented as essential for inner peace and happiness.
Publication and Context
“Fish Cheeks” was initially published in Seventeen Magazine in 1987. It later appeared in Tan’s collection, The Opposite of Fate. The essay is frequently used in Common Core curriculum, exploring themes of cultural identity.
Published in Seventeen Magazine and Later in “The Opposite of Fate”
Amy Tan’s “Fish Cheeks” first saw the light of day in the pages of Seventeen Magazine in 1987, reaching a wide audience of young readers. This initial publication introduced the essay’s poignant themes to a teenage demographic. Subsequently, “Fish Cheeks” was included in Tan’s collection of essays and musings, titled The Opposite of Fate, further solidifying its place in her literary repertoire and expanding its reach to a broader readership. This dual publication history has contributed to the essay’s enduring popularity.
Used in Common Core Classes
“Fish Cheeks” has become a staple in many educational settings, particularly within Common Core curricula. Its concise narrative and accessible themes make it an ideal text for students exploring topics such as cultural identity, assimilation, and the challenges of adolescence. The essay’s relatability and thought-provoking nature encourage classroom discussions and critical analysis of personal experiences and cultural backgrounds. Its inclusion in these educational programs underscores the essay’s value as a tool for fostering empathy and understanding among young learners.