Techniques/Literary Devices: Find quotes from "Fish Cheeks" that demonstrate Amy Tan's use of a literary device. Name the device in your post.

The speaker's family act very authentic and do not change anything despite the ministers family in their presence. They lack traditional manners and eat in a less formal fashion. The ministers family is much more reserved and formal while eating the meal. Being patient while waiting for dishes to be passed around and minding their manners. The difference in the way they act could possibly originate from tradition. Some families such as the speakers are much less strict about manners whereas other families may have more strict policies when it comes to dining. The difference in the way they act may also come from the fact that the speaker family are much more comfortable in a familiar home where the minister's family are trying to be polite and respectful as the guests.

The speaker's family appears to act in their traditional ways regardless of having guests present. They seem comfortable and confident. The minister's family seems uncomfortable as they are not used to Chinese customs.

Amy's family acts completely normal for their culture during dinner. In the eyes of the Americans, it is very weird and not normal, but the Chinese family does not change who they are around people different from them. The Americans act very formally and properly, trying to be respectful, but they are uncomfortable in this different culture. Amy thinks her family is being bad guests, but in the end, she realizes they are being who they are and won't change their cultural identity for anyone.

The speaker's family acts more open and laid back when sitting at the dinner table. They do not have the same type of table manners that the ministers family has because they were not culturally taught to act that way. They were taught to show gratitude by demonstrating their enjoyment for the dinner served to them. They also have more of a communal dinner, where they share dishes and serve themselves. As for the ministers family, they were taught to act polite when sitting at the dinner table.

The cultural expression and exchange in the essay is through the symbol of food. The speakers family proudly invited the ministers family to spend christmas eve together by sharing food. They invited them into their culture by letting them try their food. While the cultural expression is when the speaker's family was acting a certain way at the dinner table when they enjoyed the food. The minor parts in the story that seemed like it could resemble a sense of racism is when Robert himself felt uncomfortable and humbled by the way the speaker's family was acting. His face turned red as if he was embarrassed or seemed like he did not want to be there.

Amy's mother understands that family will always be there and will always understand the uniqueness that a culture has on someone's identity. Family tends to have a special bond that other relationships do not have. Family tends to know an individual more than other relationships. They are a part of developing a part of an individual's identity. I believe it is important to have a connection with your culture, but not always stay true to it. People are not always going to agree to aspects of their culture.

6. A positive consequence of ignoring your family's past or traditions is being able to develop a bit of your own identity without shaping yourself around family. A negative consequence is not having any connection to your family and traditions.