Fish Cheeks is a short story by Amy Tan, published in 1987. The protagonist, a fourteen-year-old girl, develops affection towards the minister’s white son. She feels insecure about her Chinese heritage and worries about how her family’s Chinese Christmas dinner will be perceived by the white boy and his family. The description of the Chinese dishes highlights the stark differences between the Chinese and American cultures.
During the dinner, the protagonist feels embarrassed by her family’s behavior and the unfamiliar Chinese food served. However, her father’s gesture of offering her the tender fish cheek, which is considered a delicacy in Chinese culture, carries a deeper meaning. It represents her father’s attempt to connect with her and instill pride in her Chinese identity.
After the guests leave, the protagonist’s mother gives her a gift—a miniskirt in beige tweed. While the protagonist initially resists her mother’s message of embracing her Chinese heritage, she later comes to appreciate her mother’s wisdom and the intention behind the chosen menu for the Christmas Eve dinner.
Fish Cheeks | Summary
“Fish Cheeks” is a poignant short story that delves into the intricacies of cultural identity and self-acceptance, particularly within the context of a Chinese-American experience. Set during the protagonist’s teenage years, the narrative revolves around her infatuation with Robert, the minister’s son, who is of Caucasian descent. This infatuation intensifies as the protagonist hopes for physical attributes more aligned with Western standards of beauty.
The story’s central conflict arises when the protagonist learns that her family has invited Robert’s family for a Christmas Eve dinner. Filled with anxiety, she worries about how her Chinese heritage will be perceived by Robert and his family. The stark contrast between Chinese and American traditions is highlighted through the description of the unconventional Chinese menu, which includes exotic dishes such as prawns, rock cod, tofu, dried fungus, and squid.
Throughout the meal, the protagonist grows more humiliated by her family’s behavior and her American visitors’ unfamiliarity with Chinese food. A key moment takes place when her father asks her to partake in the fish cheek, which is considered an exquisite food in Chinese culture. This culturally significant act represents the father’s attempt to bridge the gap between their Chinese identity and the protagonist’s yearning for acceptance into American culture.
The dinner concludes with the protagonist’s father demonstrating a Chinese custom of expressing satisfaction by belching loudly, which further adds to the protagonist’s embarrassment. However, her mother later imparts a valuable lesson, emphasizing the importance of embracing her Chinese heritage. Although the protagonist initially resists her mother’s words, she eventually comes to appreciate her wisdom and the thoughtfulness behind the menu chosen for the Christmas Eve dinner. The story concludes with the realization that her mother had intentionally selected her favorite foods to demonstrate love and acceptance of her Chinese identity.
Fish Cheeks | Analysis
“Fish Cheeks” is a deeply personal and introspective narrative that provides valuable insights into the complexities of cultural identity and self-acceptance. Through vivid storytelling and evocative descriptions, Amy Tan effectively captures the internal struggles and external pressures faced by individuals navigating the clash between different cultural traditions. The teenage girl grapples with her desire for acceptance and assimilation into American society, particularly in her infatuation with Robert, who embodies the Western ideal. This conflict is relatable to individuals who have experienced the tension between their cultural heritage and the desire to fit in with mainstream norms.
The use of descriptive language in depicting the Chinese Christmas dinner adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. Tan skillfully paints a vivid picture of the unconventional Chinese dishes, contrasting them with the familiar American holiday fare. This stark juxtaposition serves to highlight the protagonist’s sense of embarrassment and the perceived cultural divide between her Chinese background and the expectations of her American love and his family. The evocative descriptions evoke sensory imagery and reinforce the cultural clash experienced by the protagonist.
However, it is worth noting that “Fish Cheeks” primarily focuses on the internal struggles and emotional journey of the protagonist, rather than delving into broader sociopolitical aspects of cultural identity. While the story successfully conveys the protagonist’s personal growth and realization, it does not extensively address systemic issues or provide a broader critique of cultural assimilation or the immigrant experience. Readers seeking a more comprehensive exploration of these topics may find the story somewhat limited in its scope.
Fish Cheeks | Character Sketch
The protagonist of “Fish Cheeks” is a fourteen-year-old Chinese-American girl, whose name is not explicitly mentioned in the story. The protagonist initially appears as an insecure teenager who is infatuated with Robert, the minister’s son. She desires to fit into American society and longs for physical attributes that align with Western standards of beauty. Her infatuation with Robert catalyzes her internal conflicts and desires for assimilation. She worries about the perception of her family’s Chinese Christmas dinner, fearing that it will be seen as strange and inferior by Robert and his American family. This anxiety reflects her longing for acceptance and her struggle to navigate the clash between her Chinese background and American cultural expectations. This growth is influenced by her father’s gesture of offering her the tender fish cheek, which symbolizes a connection to her Chinese heritage.
The protagonist’s journey in “Fish Cheeks” reflects a coming-of-age narrative, as she gradually learns to embrace her unique background and find self-acceptance. Her struggles and eventual growth make her a relatable character, allowing readers to empathize with her internal conflicts and the pressures she faces in navigating her dual cultural identity.
Fish Cheeks | Significance of Title
The title, “Fish Cheeks,” holds symbolic significance in the context of the story. It represents both the protagonist’s cultural heritage and her journey toward self-acceptance. The term “Fish Cheeks” refers to a specific moment during the Christmas Eve dinner when the protagonist’s father offers her the tender fish cheek, considered a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. This act carries cultural significance as it represents a connection to her Chinese roots and serves as a reminder of her family’s traditions and values. It is a pivotal moment in the story where the protagonist feels a mix of embarrassment and a desire to hide her cultural background.
“Fish Cheeks” symbolizes her Chinese heritage, which she initially views as embarrassing and inadequate in comparison to American culture. The title encapsulates her desire to conform to Western ideals, represented by the “slim new American nose” she prays for, and her longing to be like the American girls she perceives as more socially accepted. The title further takes on a deeper meaning, representing her journey of self-discovery and acceptance. It becomes a symbol of embracing her Chinese heritage, finding strength in her differences, and ultimately realizing that her only shame lies in feeling ashamed of her background.
Fish Cheeks | Themes
The story delves into the protagonist’s struggle with her Chinese identity and her desire for acceptance within American society. It explores the tension between cultural heritage and the pressure to conform to mainstream norms. The protagonist grapples with insecurities about her appearance and her cultural background. The story highlights the importance of accepting oneself and finding pride in one’s unique identity.
The narrative raises questions about the expectations placed on individuals to assimilate into dominant cultural norms. It explores the internal conflict faced by the protagonist as she tries to balance her Chinese heritage with the desire to fit in. The role of family and tradition is significant in the story. The protagonist’s relationship with her parents, particularly her mother, shapes her understanding of her cultural identity. The narrative also touches on the tension between preserving cultural traditions and adapting to new environments.
Fish Cheeks | Literary Devices
The story utilizes vivid imagery to create sensory impressions and evoke emotions in the readers. Descriptions of the unconventional Chinese dishes, such as the “slimy rock cod with bulging eyes” and the squid with crisscrossed knife markings resembling bicycle tires, paint a vivid picture of the protagonist’s cultural surroundings and her feelings of embarrassment.
The story incorporates various symbols to convey deeper meanings. The fish cheek represents the protagonist’s Chinese heritage, pride, and connection to her family’s traditions. The Christmas Eve dinner itself serves as a symbol of the clash between Chinese and American cultures and the protagonist’s struggle to reconcile her dual identity.
The irony is used in the story to highlight contrasts and heighten the emotional impact. The protagonist’s longing for a typical American Christmas dinner is juxtaposed with her family’s preparation of a traditional Chinese meal. The irony lies in the fact that the protagonist initially views her Chinese heritage with embarrassment, unaware of the effort her family has put into making the meal special for her.
The repetition of phrases such as “I fell in love with the minister’s son” and “Fish Cheeks” throughout the story serves to emphasize their significance. It reinforces the central themes and motifs, adding a rhythmic quality to the narrative.
The dialogue in the story reveals the characters’ thoughts, emotions, and cultural differences. It brings the characters to life and adds authenticity to their interactions, helping to portray the clash of cultures and the internal conflicts experienced by the protagonist.
