"Fish Cheeks" Narrative Analysis

I fell in love with the minister’s son the winter I turned fourteen. He was not Chinese, but as white as Mary in the manger. For Christmas I prayed for this blond-haired boy, Robert, and a slim new American nose.

Based on the pronouns used, what is the story’s Point of View?

• First Person

• Third Person

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

I fell in love with the minister’s son the winter I turned fourteen. He was not Chinese, but as white as Mary in the manger. For Christmas I prayed for this blond-haired boy, Robert, and a slim new American nose.

In this excerpt, the author mainly characterizes Robert by ...

• describing what he says

• describing how what he thinks

• describing his actions

• describing his appearance / looks

I fell in love with the minister’s son the winter I turned fourteen. He was not Chinese, but as white as Mary in the manger. For Christmas I prayed for this blond-haired boy, Robert, and a slim new American nose.

Based on what Amy is praying for, the reader can infer …

• Amy does not like living in America

• Amy is unhappy with her looks

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.2

When I found out that my parents had invited the minister’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried.

In this excerpt, the author mainly characterizes Amy by ...

• describing how she looks

• describing what she thinks

• describing what she does - her actions

• describing how others react to her

When I found out that my parents had invited the minister’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried.

Based on this text evidence, we can conclude that Amy is ...

• Mysterious

• Emotional

• Curious

• Spiteful

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.1

When I found out that my parents had invited the minister’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried.

What is the story’s conflict?

• Amy is angry her mother did not get her the miniskirt she asked for

• Robert is rude to Amy's family at dinner

• Amy is embarrassed because she knows the guests won't understand her family's culture

• It's Christmas and Amy doesn't know what present to buy for her crush Robert

What would Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas? What would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked proper American manners? What terrible disappointment would he feel upon seeing not a roasted turkey and sweet potatoes but Chinese food?

In this excerpt, the author mainly characterizes Amy by ...

• Describing how she looks

• Describing what she says

• Describing her thoughts

• Describing her actions

What would Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas? What would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked proper American manners? What terrible disappointment would he feel upon seeing not a roasted turkey and sweet potatoes but Chinese food?

Based on this text evidence, we can conclude that Amy is ...

• Self-assured

• Anxious

• Curious

• Angry

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.W.5.9A

And then they arrived — the minister’s family and all my relatives in a clamor of doorbells and rumpled Christmas packages.

What is the story’s setting?

• The church hall

• The Minister's house

• A Chinese Restaurant

• Amy's home

My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table, dipping them into the dozen or so plates of food. Robert and his family waited patiently for platters to be passed to them.

In this excerpt, the author contrasts Robert and Amy’s families by ...

• Describing what they say

• Describing their actions - what they do

• Describing their thoughts

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3