In the essay, "Fish Cheeks," Tans mother said "Your only shame is to have shame." She said this because her daughter Tan tried so hard to be like the other American girls. She was ashamed of her heritage and indirectly ashamed of her family. By her mom saying this it is her way of telling her daughter not to be ashamed of their heritage but instead to be proud. By giving her the tweed minniskirt, she is giving her daughter what she wants, to fit in with the American girls. By giving her this chance her mother is giving Tan the ability to figure it out on her own.
Brittney, I think you have a great idea about the meaning of the tweed miniskirt. It might be a sign that she wants her daughter to make a decision on her own about being American or choosing American things over Chinese things. However, I am curious, what time period are we talking about because I don't see people walking around in tweed miniskirts in current times. Also, I wonder why the skirt is tweed. I am thinking the tweed represents an intermix of both cultures, Chinese and American.
I agree with you both.Her mom is telling her to be proud of who she is, not hide behind something she thinks is wrong. Fashion can be universal through cultures, but a skirt represents western culture and what looks good on the runway. Shame is something that is big with chinese culture because they are raised to always honor there beliefs,traditions, elders, etc... I think Amy soon realized that the best way to live is being herself, and not acting like anyone else.
I think you bring up a really good point about the tweed mini skirt. I never thought about that point before but your right. It makes me think that it could have been in the 90's when we had the weirdest fashion but then again who knows? The text does not really give a specific time period. As for the symbolism I like what you came up with about choosing America over chineese culture.
After reading "Fish Cheeks," by Amy Tan, I kind of relate to the author of the story. Similar to the author, I come from Asian roots, so I kind of feel that the miniskirt in beige tweed represents her wanting to be American. The reason I say the beige tweed miniskirt represents being American is because in traditional Chinese clothing, there are not miniskirts. Miniskirts is to me an American invention and fashion. When the author's mom says "your only shame is to have shame," means that shame is created within oneself and isn't created by other people.
I agree shame is created within oneself we always over analyzed things and think we are being judge for something when in reality we are the ones that are judging ourselves. In the end Amy learned to understand what her mom was telling her.
Zaaida, I agree with you. Shame is created within us and is not created by other people. I believe people should embrace who they are and not care how other people perceive them. I have always had that type of mindset and I feel I have gotten far because of it. Yes, there are lessons to be learned but not one person should ever be ashamed of their up bringing, because it is the person they are today.
im sure everyone can relate to this one way or another. I can definitely relate to this because when i was younger i had similar feeling just like the one that are in "fish cheeks." i do believe that everyone has a beautiful culture and that they need to embrace it and be open about and never be ashamed from where they come from. when your young families can seem a bit embracing but as you grow up you will learn to love all that, because when you mature you will find out that you will need family in life no matter how they are...
“Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan a story of a fourteen-year-old girl names Amy who is ashamed of her family and wishes her family could be more American. When she found out her parents invited the guy he was crushing on Robert she embarrassed for him to see his uncles and family. Tan’s mother told her, “Your only shame is to have shame” the meaning is one shouldn’t be embarrassed of their background, but appreciate what you have. Sometimes us as humans over analyzed things and instead of helping ourselves we are just confusing things more and making us judge something that’s not there. Amy was making herself be ashamed of her Asian roots. Tan’s mother gave her the tweed miniskirt as a way to show her that she understands what she is going through and her thoughts of becoming American. In the end Amy learned to understand what her mom was trying to teach her and in the end we need to be true to ourselves and not paint an image of ourselves that doesn’t exist.
I agree with you that sometimes us as humans over analyzed things and instead of helping ourselves we are just confusing things more and making us judge something that’s not there. We have to appreicate who we are inside and outside and not worry about theirs trying to like them.
"Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan, is about a struggle that a girl is having to fit into American society. This girl, Amy, is having this struggle because her culture is not the same as the other american girls. I think that the mother is trying to teach her a lesson by giving her the choice of making a decision. By having the oppurtunity to make this decision, Amy will be confused and return to how her parents raised her. However, her parents did take into consideration that if she chooses to be like the other girls, the tweed skirt that she will be wearing will have some culture in it and won't be completely different to her parents. - Qays Shashaa
Qays I am confused about two sentences. In the last sentence what do you mean that the tweed skirt has some clture in it and that the skirt won't make her different from her parents. Could you please expand your point in the last sentence. Also, you said that Amy is confused. I want to know what makes you think Amy is confused? What evidence tells you that Amy is confused?
I would have to agree with you Qays. I think by her mother giving her that tweed skirt she is telling her daughter to make the decition for herself. I think that by doing this her mother is hoping for her daughter to learn for herself how important her haritage is to not only the family, but how important it should be to her. By wearing the skirt I think Tan will realize that fitting in is not the most important thing.
I believe Amy's mother means that the only shame she has, is to be ashamed of her heritage and up bring. That she should not have been embarrassed when other people from different cultures come into their house. Amy's mother told her that she must be proud on who she is and nothing less. However, if she wants to fit in with the American girls she can, but never forget how she has been brought up and to not be ashamed.
I think it's good that her mother is letting her change and figure things out on her own; I can see where the mom is coming from how she doesn't want Tan to forget who she really is just to fit in. It's okay to be different. It does seem like her and her mother have a good relationship and Tan's mom is standing by her desicions so I think that is why Tan then figures out later that her culture and where she is from is okay. Intrepretation is culture based, every culture is different and have different ways of doing things so it's okay that Tan is Chines because us Americans do things different as well so she shouldn't feel like she has to meet some sort of standard. I think this was a good essay because it helps us be more willing to accept people into our lives.
Amy's mother means You only are shameful if you let shame effect you. Unlike her mother, Amy is embarrassed by her culture and who she is. Instead of being proud of her chinese traditions, she is ashamed that she is chinese. Only wanting to be american, she feels her food and belching is wrong; whereas this would be customary in china as a sign of respect. Amy's mother then gives her a tweed skirt that is fashionable of american white girls,which Amy is not. When her mother makes the comment, she says it to mean "you can't cover up who you are". I think of a wolf in sheeps clothing. Amy is still chinese with a skirt; a wolf is still a dog with a jacket. What I take away is that you can wear a disguise on the outside, but who you are will always show.
Vanessa, I agree people can't change who they are and can't change what mother nature gave them from birth. However, in today's society there are millions of people similar to Amy who are embarrassed with themselves such as their physical appearance, their ethnic or cultural background, and their economic background. Why do you think millions of people each year get plastic surgery? One reason is because they are insecure and unhappy with their physical appearance and they want to hide their ethnic identity. For example, Michael Jackson had thousands of plastic surgery on his face and body, so that he can hide his African America identity. I kind of see Amy and Michael Jackson as two similar people who are insecure about themselves.
I like they way you stated, "A wolf in a sheep's clothing." I believe that is true also. I think everyone of ur goes through the stage of not feeling welcome and or don't think curtain people will accept us for who we are. I think now days, more people judge us on our appearence rather than gender or where we are originally from. As long as your pretty you can get by in this world, even Chinese like Tan. I like that towards the end she does start to realize and repsect more of who she is and her cutlture. People are meant to stand out, why stand in?
Tan family invites an Anerican family over for dinner. Tan wants to be like other American girls. She doesn't vaule her culture or even what her mother is telling her. I believe the minishirt is a symbol of deciding what you want to be. By her choosing the miniskirt she'll always be Chinese in the inside no matter what she does in life. Tan has to remember she can't change her culture she was born into it. Tan doesn't appreicate her Chinese culture. Tan's mother said to her, "You want to be the same as American girls on the outside." 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." It wasn't until many year later Tan realize what her mother meant. She finally understands and fully appreciate her mother's lesson and the true purpose behind our particular menu.
In the essay "Fish cheeks," by Amy Tan, the mother says, "Your only shame is to have shame." This is called, "objetive self awareness." I means, I think therefore I am. I beleieve a lot of people do this without even meaning to. I think it would be hard for someone not to accept their culture. It shows a lot of disrespect and can be hurtful to others not only yourself. Tan for instance, how the mother gives her the tweed miniskirt so she can feel like an all American girl on the outside. When the mom says, "You can't cover up who you are," this is stating a fact that your still the same Chinese little fourteen year old girl. A good way of putting Tan's situation would be perception, meaning experiencing your world and then making sense out of what you know. In Tan's eyes she only knows that it's like as an American but later figures out more about herself and family and is understanding. I think this is what every teenager does trying to figure out their place in this world so they feel welcome.
I agree with you that it would be hard for someone not to accept their culture. Now, these days people want to be like someone else instead of themselves. We have to love and care about ourselves and be proud of who we are. We have to love our parents because they try to do what is best for us even though we might be wrong but in the end we appreciate what we have learned through our parents and we can enjoy life.
In the essay, "Fish Cheeks," Tans mother said "Your only shame is to have shame." She said this because her daughter Tan tried so hard to be like the other American girls. She was ashamed of her heritage and indirectly ashamed of her family. By her mom saying this it is her way of telling her daughter not to be ashamed of their heritage but instead to be proud. By giving her the tweed minniskirt, she is giving her daughter what she wants, to fit in with the American girls. By giving her this chance her mother is giving Tan the ability to figure it out on her own.
ReplyDeleteBrittney, I think you have a great idea about the meaning of the tweed miniskirt. It might be a sign that she wants her daughter to make a decision on her own about being American or choosing American things over Chinese things. However, I am curious, what time period are we talking about because I don't see people walking around in tweed miniskirts in current times. Also, I wonder why the skirt is tweed. I am thinking the tweed represents an intermix of both cultures, Chinese and American.
DeleteZaaida
Zaaida
I agree with you both.Her mom is telling her to be proud of who she is, not hide behind something she thinks is wrong. Fashion can be universal through cultures, but a skirt represents western culture and what looks good on the runway. Shame is something that is big with chinese culture because they are raised to always honor there beliefs,traditions, elders, etc... I think Amy soon realized that the best way to live is being herself, and not acting like anyone else.
DeleteI think you bring up a really good point about the tweed mini skirt. I never thought about that point before but your right. It makes me think that it could have been in the 90's when we had the weirdest fashion but then again who knows? The text does not really give a specific time period. As for the symbolism I like what you came up with about choosing America over chineese culture.
DeleteAfter reading "Fish Cheeks," by Amy Tan, I kind of relate to the author of the story. Similar to the author, I come from Asian roots, so I kind of feel that the miniskirt in beige tweed represents her wanting to be American. The reason I say the beige tweed miniskirt represents being American is because in traditional Chinese clothing, there are not miniskirts. Miniskirts is to me an American invention and fashion. When the author's mom says "your only shame is to have shame," means that shame is created within oneself and isn't created by other people.
ReplyDeleteZaaida
I agree shame is created within oneself we always over analyzed things and think we are being judge for something when in reality we are the ones that are judging ourselves. In the end Amy learned to understand what her mom was telling her.
Delete-Gabriela Olivares
Zaaida, I agree with you. Shame is created within us and is not created by other people. I believe people should embrace who they are and not care how other people perceive them. I have always had that type of mindset and I feel I have gotten far because of it. Yes, there are lessons to be learned but not one person should ever be ashamed of their up bringing, because it is the person they are today.
Deleteim sure everyone can relate to this one way or another. I can definitely relate to this because when i was younger i had similar feeling just like the one that are in "fish cheeks." i do believe that everyone has a beautiful culture and that they need to embrace it and be open about and never be ashamed from where they come from. when your young families can seem a bit embracing but as you grow up you will learn to love all that, because when you mature you will find out that you will need family in life no matter how they are...
Delete-Laura Valdez
-monday class at 6pm
“Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan a story of a fourteen-year-old girl names Amy who is ashamed of her family and wishes her family could be more American. When she found out her parents invited the guy he was crushing on Robert she embarrassed for him to see his uncles and family. Tan’s mother told her, “Your only shame is to have shame” the meaning is one shouldn’t be embarrassed of their background, but appreciate what you have. Sometimes us as humans over analyzed things and instead of helping ourselves we are just confusing things more and making us judge something that’s not there. Amy was making herself be ashamed of her Asian roots. Tan’s mother gave her the tweed miniskirt as a way to show her that she understands what she is going through and her thoughts of becoming American. In the end Amy learned to understand what her mom was trying to teach her and in the end we need to be true to ourselves and not paint an image of ourselves that doesn’t exist.
ReplyDelete-Gabriela Olivares
I agree with you that sometimes us as humans over analyzed things and instead of helping ourselves we are just confusing things more and making us judge something that’s not there. We have to appreicate who we are inside and outside and not worry about theirs trying to like them.
Delete"Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan, is about a struggle that a girl is having to fit into American society. This girl, Amy, is having this struggle because her culture is not the same as the other american girls. I think that the mother is trying to teach her a lesson by giving her the choice of making a decision. By having the oppurtunity to make this decision, Amy will be confused and return to how her parents raised her. However, her parents did take into consideration that if she chooses to be like the other girls, the tweed skirt that she will be wearing will have some culture in it and won't be completely different to her parents.
ReplyDelete- Qays Shashaa
Qays I am confused about two sentences. In the last sentence what do you mean that the tweed skirt has some clture in it and that the skirt won't make her different from her parents. Could you please expand your point in the last sentence. Also, you said that Amy is confused. I want to know what makes you think Amy is confused? What evidence tells you that Amy is confused?
DeleteZaaida
I would have to agree with you Qays. I think by her mother giving her that tweed skirt she is telling her daughter to make the decition for herself. I think that by doing this her mother is hoping for her daughter to learn for herself how important her haritage is to not only the family, but how important it should be to her. By wearing the skirt I think Tan will realize that fitting in is not the most important thing.
DeleteI believe Amy's mother means that the only shame she has, is to be ashamed of her heritage and up bring. That she should not have been embarrassed when other people from different cultures come into their house. Amy's mother told her that she must be proud on who she is and nothing less. However, if she wants to fit in with the American girls she can, but never forget how she has been brought up and to not be ashamed.
ReplyDeleteI think it's good that her mother is letting her change and figure things out on her own; I can see where the mom is coming from how she doesn't want Tan to forget who she really is just to fit in. It's okay to be different. It does seem like her and her mother have a good relationship and Tan's mom is standing by her desicions so I think that is why Tan then figures out later that her culture and where she is from is okay. Intrepretation is culture based, every culture is different and have different ways of doing things so it's okay that Tan is Chines because us Americans do things different as well so she shouldn't feel like she has to meet some sort of standard. I think this was a good essay because it helps us be more willing to accept people into our lives.
Delete-Shannon Hunt
Amy's mother means You only are shameful if you let shame effect you. Unlike her mother, Amy is embarrassed by her culture and who she is. Instead of being proud of her chinese traditions, she is ashamed that she is chinese. Only wanting to be american, she feels her food and belching is wrong; whereas this would be customary in china as a sign of respect. Amy's mother then gives her a tweed skirt that is fashionable of american white girls,which Amy is not. When her mother makes the comment, she says it to mean "you can't cover up who you are". I think of a wolf in sheeps clothing. Amy is still chinese with a skirt; a wolf is still a dog with a jacket. What I take away is that you can wear a disguise on the outside, but who you are will always show.
ReplyDeleteVanessa, I agree people can't change who they are and can't change what mother nature gave them from birth. However, in today's society there are millions of people similar to Amy who are embarrassed with themselves such as their physical appearance, their ethnic or cultural background, and their economic background. Why do you think millions of people each year get plastic surgery? One reason is because they are insecure and unhappy with their physical appearance and they want to hide their ethnic identity. For example, Michael Jackson had thousands of plastic surgery on his face and body, so that he can hide his African America identity. I kind of see Amy and Michael Jackson as two similar people who are insecure about themselves.
DeleteZaaida
I like they way you stated, "A wolf in a sheep's clothing." I believe that is true also. I think everyone of ur goes through the stage of not feeling welcome and or don't think curtain people will accept us for who we are. I think now days, more people judge us on our appearence rather than gender or where we are originally from. As long as your pretty you can get by in this world, even Chinese like Tan. I like that towards the end she does start to realize and repsect more of who she is and her cutlture. People are meant to stand out, why stand in?
Delete-Shannon Hunt
what chapter is this on?
ReplyDeleteTan family invites an Anerican family over for dinner. Tan wants to be like other American girls. She doesn't vaule her culture or even what her mother is telling her. I believe the minishirt is a symbol of deciding what you want to be. By her choosing the miniskirt she'll always be Chinese in the inside no matter what she does in life. Tan has to remember she can't change her culture she was born into it. Tan doesn't appreicate her Chinese culture. Tan's mother said to her, "You want to be the same as American girls on the outside." 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." It wasn't until many year later Tan realize what her mother meant. She finally understands and fully appreciate her mother's lesson and the true purpose behind our particular menu.
ReplyDeleteIn the essay "Fish cheeks," by Amy Tan, the mother says, "Your only shame is to have shame." This is called, "objetive self awareness." I means, I think therefore I am. I beleieve a lot of people do this without even meaning to. I think it would be hard for someone not to accept their culture. It shows a lot of disrespect and can be hurtful to others not only yourself. Tan for instance, how the mother gives her the tweed miniskirt so she can feel like an all American girl on the outside. When the mom says, "You can't cover up who you are," this is stating a fact that your still the same Chinese little fourteen year old girl. A good way of putting Tan's situation would be perception, meaning experiencing your world and then making sense out of what you know. In Tan's eyes she only knows that it's like as an American but later figures out more about herself and family and is understanding. I think this is what every teenager does trying to figure out their place in this world so they feel welcome.
ReplyDelete- Shannon Hunt
I agree with you that it would be hard for someone not to accept their culture. Now, these days people want to be like someone else instead of themselves. We have to love and care about ourselves and be proud of who we are. We have to love our parents because they try to do what is best for us even though we might be wrong but in the end we appreciate what we have learned through our parents and we can enjoy life.
Delete