Narrator's Point of View in Fish Cheeks

What point of view is "Fish Cheeks" written in?

• Second-person point of view

• Third-person omniscient

• First-person point of view

• Third-person limited

Which of the following lines best shows the narrator’s internal conflict about her cultural identity?

• “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.”

• “I was stunned into silence for the rest of the night.”

• “What would Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas?”

How does the narrator’s tone toward her family’s traditions change over the course of the story?

• It changes from indifferent to proud.

• It changes from proud to ashamed.

• It changes from embarrassed to understanding and accepting.

• It remains completely negative throughout.

In the following excerpt, “I wanted to disappear,” what does the narrator reveal about her feelings?

• She is excited to be different.

• She feels intense embarrassment and wishes she could escape the situation.

• She is indifferent about the dinner.

• She is angry at her family for their customs.

How does the narrator describe the food during the dinner, and what does this description reveal about her point of view?

• With admiration, showing that she is proud of her culture.

• With indifference, indicating she has no strong feelings about it.

• With negative imagery, reflecting her embarrassment and discomfort.

• With excitement, as if she is tasting something new.

When the narrator describes the minister’s family’s behavior, what does her point of view suggest?

• She admires their formal manners and wishes to emulate them completely.

• She feels that their reserved behavior contrasts sharply with her family’s lively customs, causing her embarrassment.

• She believes their customs are superior in every way.

• She is confused by their behavior because it is similar to hers.

Which excerpt best demonstrates the narrator’s reflective point of view as she matures?

• “I fell in love with the minister’s son the winter I turned fourteen.”

• “I was stunned into silence for the rest of the night.”

• “And even though I didn’t agree with her then, I knew that she understood how much I had suffered during the evening’s dinner.”

• “What would Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas?”

In the statement, “You want to be the same as American girls on the outside. But inside you must always be Chinese…” what point of view does the narrator adopt regarding cultural identity?

• She completely rejects her Chinese heritage.

• She believes that external appearances are all that matter.

• She recognizes the importance of balancing the desire to fit in with the pride in one’s heritage.

• She thinks it is best to hide all cultural differences.

Which of the following best captures the narrator’s personal conflict as reflected in her point of view throughout the story?

• The struggle between following her parents’ wishes and making her own decisions.

• The tension between her admiration for American customs and her embarrassment about her Chinese traditions.

• The conflict between her desire to be popular and her lack of interest in family traditions.

• The battle between wanting to stay home and wanting to go out with friends.

Based on the narrator’s point of view, what lesson does she eventually learn by the end of the story?

• That changing who you are is necessary to be accepted by others.

• That you should abandon your traditions if they make you feel embarrassed.

• That while it’s natural to want to fit in, embracing your unique heritage ultimately gives you strength and identity.

• That there is no value in cultural differences.