Amy Tan Masks Identity Essay

Tan and ___ use culture, color and texture to illustrate that people should be proud of their differences. In Tan’s story, “Fish Cheeks”, a Chinese-American girl is not only embarrassed by the food she loves, but all of her family’s traditions. In the beginning of the story, the young girl, Amy, states, “For Christmas I prayed for this blond-haired boy, Robert, and a slim new American nose” (Tan). Amy’s wish for an American nose symbolizes satisfaction and happiness because it’s a quality that she desires to change. The use of symbols to represent ideas allows readers to see Amy’s in herself.
In “Masking Identity”, the artist shows a woman who seems discontent. In front of her are several masks showing different expressions, a tube of lipstick and a pair of small scissors. It could be that the woman is dissatisfied
As an adult, she looks back on the evening, saying that “many years later” (Tan) she was able to accept the words of wisdom her mother shared with her that evening: “You must be proud you are different.” (Tan). Her mother connects differences with pride. Being different is not something that lessens somebody’s worth. Amy also explains that she came to accept her mom’s dinner menu, finally realizing that “For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen all my favorite foods.” (Tan). Later in life, Amy stops trying to hide her love for traditional Chinese food. Her use of the word “chosen” to describe her mom’s actions on Christmas Eve implies that we all have a choice to either take pride in our heritage, or run from it. Amy’s mom chose to embrace it, and now she does too. In the image, “Masking Identity” author illustrates three faces that seem to appear as masks. From the story “Fish Cheeks” and the image “Masking Identity” viewers learn that people should know that taking pride in ourselves is much more important than caring about what others