contrast and comparison essay 1

Sister Flowers vs. Fish Cheeks

Lakisha M. Couch
English 121: Composition I
January, 10 2014
Instructor: Brad Trolly

The story of Sister Flowers by Maya Angelou and Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan gives us two different examples of how two young ladies manage to overcome embarrassment and cultural differences. Although both have labeled their situation as “embarrassing”, it is clear that both situations are coming from two different aspects. The story Sisters Flowers depicts educational differences, whereas Fish Cheeks describes a young lady facing the embarrassment of pride and cultural differences.
According to our text book, the idea of descriptive writing is the kind of writing that describes person, place or thing in such a way that is forms a picture in the readers head. In order for one to capture such an event one would have to pay close attention to each detail by using their five senses. As I read the story of Sister Flowers, I felt as though this story definitely follows the guidelines of a good descriptive story. For example: Sisters Flower by Maya Angelou discloses a revelation of an important mentor in the life of Marguerite. The character, Sister Flowers, is painted as an individual who was kind, respectful, educated, and inspirational. She was an aristocratic and highly cultivated person who had the ability to reach out and bring forth a positive impact on the lives of those that resided in her community. Marguerite was a young girl who was trapped in her own shell and had a hard time speaking to, so much, that her mother thought that Sister Flowers could assist with breaking her out of this structure. Mrs. Flowers begun to gain unbelievable control over Marguerite and over a period of time, Marguerite would considered Sister Flowers to having tremendous influence on her life. Mrs. Flowers influence also caused Marguerite the ability to blossom beyond the limits she placed on herself and to sour out to higher grounds. Mrs. Flowers was very accommodating in helping Marguerite to break down her walls that had prevented her from flourishing as a human being. Marguerite lived the middle class lifestyle but found herself going through brief periods of vulnerability, when she had first met Mrs. Flowers. Struggling as a student, Mrs. Flowers had become a helping aide to her financially, even though she was an outstanding student academically wise. Mrs. Flowers was also influential in her life and seem to appear at the times of despair. Marguerite desperately needed a helping hand and Mrs. Flowers was always there providing the extra push whenever Marguerite needed it and also assist in helping her grow into beautiful woman by teaching her life lessons that would assist her many other obstacles she would face later on down the line in life. A passage from the text helps us to clearly see how Mrs. Flowers helped Marguerite, such as, “Then I met, or rather got to know, the lady who threw me my first lifeline and she was one of the few gentlewomen I have ever known, and has remained throughout my life the measure of what a human being can be.” These two passages confirms the significance that Mrs. Flowers had on the life of Marguerite. They interpret the feelings Marguerite saw in Mrs. Flowers, a living depict of high standards and kindness.
Also in our text book it describes a good descriptive writing ornate languages that correlates smiles and metaphors that will help the reader to be able to paint vivid pictures of what the author is trying to convey; The art of persuasion. For example: The story Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan is about her personal experience as a young Asian girl who is trying to get acquainted with the American culture. Amy’s issue in this story is that she was blushingly ashamed of her family. Amy desired strongly that her family were more like Americans, that way she would be able to fit in. Amy had a crush on a boy by the name of Robert, and she becomes aghast when she finds out that her mother has invited his family over for their Chinese Christmas Eve dinner. In the very beginning of this story we find out that Amy is embarrassed about her Chinese heritage. At first she wishes that she was not Chinese and prayed for a chance to date a blond American boy by the name of Robert. However, when Amy’s mother informed her that the family would be attending their Chinese Christmas Eve dinner, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that her opportunity of ever dating him was out the door now. In Amy’s mind, she just knew that he would not like her because of her Chinese heritage and how different it is from the American Christmas heritage. Amy’s embarrassment did not stop at her heritage, but she embarrassed about how she looks, specifically her nose. She would pray to have a slimmer, American looking nose because she thought it would help her to fit in as well.
In addition, Amy found herself crying after finding out that Robert and his family would be attending their Christmas Ever dinner. She envision his reaction to her strange Chinese customs and when Amy walked into the kitchen, her nightmare became a reality after seeing what her mother was preparing for dinner. One text in the story gives us a clear indicator on why Amy became mortified about the dinner, such as, “On Christmas Eve I saw that my mother had outdone herself in creating a strange menu. She was pulling black veins out of the backs of fleshy prawns. A slimy rock cod with bulging eyes that pleaded not to be thrown into a pan of hot oil. Tofu, which looked like stacked wedges of rubbery white sponges. A bowl soaking dried fungus back to life. A plate of squid, their backs crisscrossed with knife markings so they resembled bicycle tires.” Amy stood in the kitchen in disbelief and thought to herself how could her mother agitate her like this?
When dinner arrived and the all of the guest were in, Amy was extremely in distress. She watch in horror as her family reach over each other and grabbed plates of food, as Robert’s family sat waiting calmly and polite for their turn. Her relatives even went as far as to licking their chopsticks and digging them into the food, and this caused Amy to sink down lower in her chair in a state of surprised at their behavior. At the end of the meal, Amy’s father let out a loud belch to show his appreciation towards the dinner his wife had cooked. Robert’s father attempted to do the same, but could only let out a small burp to show his appreciation of the meal. At this point Amy felt ashamed. Even though nothing could change what had just happened, in the end, Amy’s mother came over to Amy and presented her with two gifts that would ultimately become very significant and a valuable lesson that will help her later on down the road. This passage would explain deeply about those gifts, “After everyone had gone, my mother said to me, "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."
When you compare both stories to one another, here you find two young ladies facing obstacles of embarrassment while trying to fit in, which continues to happen to many teenagers and adults today. We find ourselves trying to accept the normality of what everyone is doing, instead of holding onto originality. Both essay depicts a picture of two individuals limiting their eyesight of the best qualities that makes their lives so beautiful. I found throughout my reading that both were blessed to have the mentors that they had in their lives. One a lady who was well respected in the community and the other her own mother. Having these inspiring individuals in their lives caused them to remember to never forget who they are while trying to accustom themselves to the everyday life of society; and that to me is a great seed to be planted in everyone’s life.
Conclusion: Although both stories presented strong life lessons about overcoming embarrassment and cultural differences. The one I felt would be superior is Fish Cheeks. This story was one I could truly relate to. The story gave you a vivid picture of why Amy had become extremely embarrassed about her family customs. Even though we grow accustom to our own norms, we tend to fear the possibility of others thinking we are weird or strange because of our cultural differences. But I have to say that Amy’s mother said it best when she stated, “your only shame is to have shame” It is good to accept the differences of customs, but never lose yourself in the process of doing so.