Fish Cheeks

Food plays an integral role in this essay. How does Tan use the symbol of food to develop her themes?

Explore the conflict between Tan’s cultural shame and her desire for acceptance within American culture. How does this conflict present itself in the story?

Though the essay primarily considers cultural identity, explore how the intersectionality of other identity factors, such as religion, gender, or socioeconomic status, might inform the narrator’s experience and the essay’s overall themes.

In the last paragraph, the essay moves forward in time as Tan reflects, “it wasn’t until many years later […] that I was able to fuller appreciate her lesson” (Paragraph 8). What effect does this shift in time and perspective have on the essay? Is there anything else about this paragraph that sets it apart from the rest of the essay?

The title of Tan’s essay is also a reference to her favorite food. Why do you think Tan chose “Fish Cheeks”? What do they represent within the story?

One of the essay’s major preoccupations is the concept of assimilation, particularly as it relates to children of immigrants. Tan wrote this story in the 1980s. How does the period in which the essay was written inform Tan’s portrayal of assimilation? Do you think this story and its challenges of adapting to a new culture would resonate with the experiences immigrants and their children face today? Why or why not?

Tan’s mother tells her, “Your only shame is to have shame” (Paragraph 7). Analyze the significance of this quote. What do you think Tan’s mother meant by this, and what does it do for the essay?

Family plays a large role in “Fish Cheeks”, particularly the character of Tan’s mother. Discuss the significance of Tan’s mother in the essay. How does her mother’s actions and values contribute to Tan’s understanding of cultural identity and acceptance?