The Theme of Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan

Acceptance of Cultural Identity

Ever felt embarrassed by your family in front of someone you like? Well, in "Fish Cheeks," Amy Tan dives deep into this feeling and talks about cultural identity. It's all about how tough it can be to accept where you come from. The essay's a mix of touching moments and funny bits. Tan shares her story of a Christmas Eve dinner that made her feel ashamed of her Chinese traditions when her crush, Robert, was around. Through bright details and personal thoughts, she shows the struggle between loving her Chinese background and wanting to fit into American life. The main idea? It's about loving yourself and celebrating different cultures, which you see through the character's journey to finding herself.

'The Theme of Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan'

Acceptance of Cultural Identity

The heart of "Fish Cheeks" is really about owning who you are culturally. Right through the essay, Tan wrestles with feeling embarrassed over her Chinese roots, especially at that dinner with her American friends. She even calls her mom's traditional dishes "disgusting." This shows she's trying to push away from her heritage for American ways. But as we read on, Tan opens up about wanting acceptance from both her American pals and Robert, saying stuff like "I wanted to disappear," hinting she wanted to step away from being seen as different.

You see more of Tan’s struggle when she talks about Robert showing up for dinner. She notes, "I saw my mother's eyes widen in disbelief," highlighting her mom's shock at seeing Tan embarrassed by their culture. It’s kind of a wake-up call for Tan – a moment where she starts understanding why it's crucial to embrace who she really is. She captures this change saying, "I realized that in spite of the humiliation, I had not eaten the toothpick fish cheeks... I was ashamed of being different." Her choice not to eat them marks a step toward accepting herself without shame.

Celebration of Cultural Diversity

Besides self-acceptance, "Fish Cheeks" is also about celebrating what makes us all different culturally. Tan shines a light on how beautiful diverse cultures can be, asking readers to see and love these differences around us. Even though she's initially mortified, her description of the Chinese dinner paints a picture full of tradition and vibrancy unique to her background – calling the food “slimy” but flavorful reveals an appreciation for it despite earlier embarrassment. Through these colorful descriptions, Tan challenges the idea that there's one perfect way to live.

She uses vivid words and imagery to celebrate diversity too. Comparing the dinner table chaos to “a war zone,” she reflects on how clashing cultures create discomfort but also beauty. As things move forward during dinner, Tan’s view shifts – initially hearing a “chorus of sour notes” morphs into realizing those sounds are actually a “symphony.” This shift hints at growing appreciation for each culture’s unique touch.

Conclusion

So wrapping up, Amy Tan's "Fish Cheeks" digs into cultural identity and accepting your roots through a personal lens. By sharing her story, Tan puts a spotlight on how important it is to love yourself while also celebrating cultural diversity. The essay portrays an internal battle – feeling ashamed initially but eventually learning to accept who she is proudly. With rich descriptions and thoughtful insights, readers are invited to savor different cultures' richness instead of hiding or rejecting them. At its core, "Fish Cheeks" reminds us that our cultural identity should be treasured and celebrated always.

Works Cited:

• Tan, Amy. (1987). Fish Cheeks. The New York Times.
• Chua-Eoan, H., & Grossman, L.K., (2010). Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior; Can Tiger Moms Raise Better Kids?. Time Magazine.
• Naylor E.L., & Kim A.E., (2004). Between Two Worlds: Asian-American Culture Clash: Defining Their Own Success Stories. Harvard Review.
• Petersen W.D., (1991). Ethnic Tensions in America: The Asian-American Experience Revisited - Princeton University Press.