Fish Cheeks Plot & Character Actions

Front

What is the main theme of 'Fish Cheeks'?

Back

The main theme of 'Fish Cheeks' is the struggle between cultural identity and the desire to fit in, particularly during adolescence.

Front

How does the narrator feel about her family's Chinese customs at the beginning of the story?

Back

The narrator feels embarrassed and ashamed of her family's Chinese customs, especially when they are juxtaposed with American traditions.

Front

What does the narrator's mother do to show her love for her daughter during Christmas dinner?

Back

The narrator's mother chooses all of her daughter's favorite foods for Christmas dinner, demonstrating her care and understanding.

Front

What is the significance of the fish cheeks in the story?

Back

The fish cheeks symbolize cultural pride and the narrator's initial embarrassment about her heritage.

Front

How does the narrator's perspective change by the end of the story?

Back

By the end of the story, the narrator learns to appreciate her cultural identity and the love behind her mother's choices.

Front

What does the line 'Robert grunted hello, and I pretended he was not worthy of existence' reveal about the narrator's feelings?

Back

It reveals her feelings of insecurity and her desire to distance herself from her cultural background in front of Robert.

Front

How does the author contrast the narrator's family with Robert's family?

Back

The author contrasts the narrator's family's boisterous and communal eating style with Robert's family's more reserved and formal dining etiquette.

Front

What lesson does the narrator learn years later about her mother's cooking?

Back

The narrator learns to appreciate her mother's cooking and the cultural significance behind it, realizing it represents her identity.

Front

What does the narrator's embarrassment about her family's food choices indicate about her character?

Back

It indicates her internal conflict between her cultural heritage and her desire to conform to American societal norms.

Front

How does the narrator's view of her mother evolve throughout the story?

Back

The narrator's view evolves from embarrassment to appreciation, recognizing her mother's love and cultural pride.