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.

What was the author's main purpose for writing the passage fish cheeks? Amy Tan's "Fish Cheeks" explores the theme of cultural identity and acceptance. Through the story, the narrator struggles to accept her Chinese heritage and culture but eventually discovers her beauty in the unique Chinese traditions and customs.

What occurred during Christmas Eve dinner that caused Amy's despair? The minister belched.

In summary, the narrator's description of the cod in paragraph 3 impacts the tone of the passage by infusing it with a sense of admiration, wonder, timelessness, and potentially a hint of nostalgia. This serves to engage the reader emotionally and intellectually, making the passage more meaningful and resonant.

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.

Amy Tan's "Fish Cheeks" serves to highlight the struggles of cultural identity and acceptance. The main claim is that embracing one's heritage is crucial for self-acceptance. Tan uses personal anecdotes and vivid descriptions as evidence to illustrate her embarrassment and eventual understanding of her cultural roots.

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.

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

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.

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.

What does paragraph 2 reveal about the narrator's point of view of 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 the word "despair" mean as used in paragraph 5? It is means like misery. 2. What occurred during Christmas Eve dinner that caused Amy's despair? Her family observed Chinese customs.

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.

Tone in writing is the overall mood or attitude conveyed by the narrator's word choice in a story. A narrator's tone can be formal or informal, positive or negative, lighthearted or dramatic.

The tone of a passage is the writer's attitude or feeling about the subject that he or she is presenting.

The theme of resilience emerges as the speaker marvels at the fish's ability to survive despite its battered condition. The fish becomes a symbol of strength and endurance, showcasing the beauty found in imperfection and the ability to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity.

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.

It describes the back-and-forth dynamic of fishermen, who are the original environmentalists, and scientists, who not that long ago considered fish an endless resource. It explains why fish farming is not the answer—and why sustainable fishing is, and how to help return the oceans to their natural ecological balance.

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.