I think the title 'Fishcheeks' represents Amy Tan's identity problems that she encountered during the memoir. I believe the title is plural because one 'cheek' represents her true Chinese ethnicity and the other represents how she has or her desire to adapt to white culture in America. This was extremely significant to her theme of identity, and for a multicultural teen like her, it is difficult to find your true identity. For the majority of the time, she dreaded being a Chinese because she was very embarrassed of the Chinese culture while eating with Americans. This symbolized one side of the fish cheek, which she made the food sound disgusting and Chinese culture, vulgar. On the other hand, the other cheek represents how deep down, Amy Tan was proud of her Chinese heritage. This was only identified at the end of her memoir when her mother gave her a miniskirt as a Christmas gift. It was also until then, that she realized that the food she described as revolting was in fact, her favorite dishes. Though she came to this realization long after the event, I believe this represents to two different fish cheeks in a different way, of how a time lapse or reviewing the incident can change your views on certain things. Therefore, on one cheek is the ignorant Chinese American teenager. While on the other hand, it is the matured girl who understands the importance of both cultures.
Alex! Do you sleep? You wrote this at 5:13AM? Or is the time stamp for another country? Regardless, I like the spin of your argument in that FishCheeks is plural because it is a metaphor for the duality of Tan's identity and that she does have more than one heritage within which to place her cultural identity. One one cheek, there is one perspective but on the other there is an entirely separate perspective. There is definitely two identities our protagonist contends with. Would you (or anyone else) say that FishCheeks in your blog suggests two separate identities in conflict but Amy Tan may have meant Fishcheeks to take on more of a sentimental meaning since the fish cheek itself for a sign of affection and good intentions from her father?
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