Character Feelings
Amy felt this way when Robert came to dinner.
What is sad/embarrassed/ashamed?
What holiday was the dinner on?
What is Christmas Eve?
What eating tool did Amy's relatives use?
What are chopsticks?
Amy thought Robert would not like the Chinese food. What did Robert actually do?
What is: He grimaced (made a face)?
What did Amy's mother say was the only shame?
What is: To have shame?
Amy's mother wanted her to feel this way about being Chinese.
What is proud?
What did Amy's mother give her as a gift?
What is a miniskirt?
What was the special fish part that Amy's father offered her?
What is the fish cheek?
How did Amy's mother feel about being Chinese?
What is: Proud?
What did Amy's mother want her to remember about being different?
What is: That it is good/something to be proud of?
Amy's feelings changed from the beginning to the end of the story. Describe how she felt differently.
What is: At first she was ashamed, but later she was proud of her Chinese culture?
What did Amy's father do at the end of dinner that embarrassed Amy?
What is: He belched loudly and said it was polite?
According to Amy's father, why did he belch after dinner?
What is: To show he was satisfied with the food (it is a polite Chinese custom)?
Compare Amy's view of her family at the start of the story to her mother's view.
What is: Amy was ashamed of her family, but her mother was proud of their traditions?
What evidence does the author give that the Christmas menu was special?
What is: Her mother chose all of Amy's favorite foods?
Explain why Amy's mother's lesson helped Amy change her perspective about her family's traditions.
What is: Her mother showed her that being different is good, and the food was made with love for Amy?
How did the minister's family's behavior at dinner contrast with Amy's relatives' behavior?
What is: The minister's family waited for food to be passed, while Amy's relatives reached across the table with chopsticks?
Analyze how the author uses the description of Chinese food to show Amy's embarrassment about her culture.
What is: The author describes the food as "slimy," "appalling," and "rubbery" to show how Amy saw it through embarrassed eyes?
Explain how the author shows that Amy's perspective and her mother's perspective were different about what it means to be American.
What is: Amy thought being American meant looking and acting like white Americans, but her mother believed you could be American on the outside and Chinese on the inside?
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What argument is the author making about cultural identity? Use evidence from the text.
What is: You should be proud of your culture and heritage, even if it is different from others. Evidence: Amy's mother's lesson and the fact that the meal was made with love for Amy?
Why did Amy's feelings about Robert and her family change over time?
What is: She grew up and understood that her mother was right about being proud of who you are?
Identify one time when the narrator feels uncomfortable.
What is ..when the father burped?
or other event..