Development Theme: Fish Cheeks

Part A: What is the primary theme of "Fish Cheeks"?

• The importance of family
  

• The struggle with cultural identity

• The power of love

• The significance of tradition

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Part B: What evidence from the text best supports your answer?

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

• “I wanted to disappear.”

• “You want to be the same as American girls on the outside.” She handed me an early gift. It was a miniskirt in beige tweed. “But inside you must always be Chinese. You must be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have shame.” 

•  For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen all my favorite foods. 

  
  

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CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Part A: How does the protagonist, Amy, feel about her cultural background at the beginning of the story?

•  Proud and confident

•  Embarrassed and ashamed

•  Indifferent

• Curious and open-minded

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Part B: Which sentence from the text best supports your answer?

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

•  "And then they arrived — the minister’s family and all my relatives in a clamor  of doorbells and rumpled Christmas packages. Robert grunted hello, and I pretended he was not worthy of existence."

•  “Robert and his family waited patiently for platters to be passed to them.”

•  “ For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen all my favorite foods. 

  
  .”

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CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Part A: How does the setting contribute to the theme of cultural identity?

•  It shows the contrast between rural and urban life.

•  It highlights the differences between American and Chinese customs.

• It creates a nostalgic mood for Amy's childhood.
  

•  It serves as a neutral backdrop to the events.

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Part B: Which quote best supports your answer?

• "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? 

•  "On Christmas Eve I saw that my mother had outdone herself in creating a strange menu."

• "And then they arrived — the minister’s family and all my relatives in a clamor  of doorbells and rumpled Christmas packages. Robert grunted hello, and I pretended he was not worthy of existence.”
  

• "My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table, dipping them into the dozen or so plates of food."

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What is the significance of the "fish cheeks" dish served at dinner?

• It represents Amy's cultural heritage and her mother's love

•  It shows Amy's desire to fit in with her peers.

• 1. It highlights the differences in taste between cultures.

• It symbolizes wealth and luxury.

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What lesson does Amy ultimately learn from her experience at the dinner?

• To conform to societal expectations.
  

• To value her family and cultural background.

•  To hide her identity to fit in

• 1. To prioritize friendships over family ties.

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