1. First-Person Narration: Tan uses the first-person perspective of the young narrator, allowing the reader to experience the story through her eyes. This creates an intimate and personal voice, allowing us to understand her anxieties, embarrassments, and cultural conflicts.
2. Vivid Sensory Details: Tan paints a picture with her language, using rich sensory details to immerse the reader in the story. The sights, smells, and sounds of the family's Chinese New Year celebration are vividly portrayed, bringing the setting to life.
3. Theme of Cultural Identity and Acceptance: The story explores the challenges of navigating two cultures. The narrator struggles with her cultural identity, feeling ashamed of her Chinese heritage when compared to the "American" ways of her peers. This theme resonates with many readers who have experienced similar cultural conflicts.
4. Conflict and Resolution: The conflict arises from the narrator's desire to fit in with her classmates and her family's traditions. The resolution comes through the realization that her family's love and cultural heritage are valuable, even if they seem embarrassing at times.
5. Symbolism: The "fish cheeks" represent the narrator's cultural identity and her fear of being different. The Americanized Chinese food symbolizes her attempt to bridge the gap between her two cultures.
6. Humor and Irony: The story uses humor to lighten the tension, such as the narrator's description of the "phony" American food. The irony of her family's efforts to impress the American guests adds another layer of complexity.
7. Coming-of-Age Theme: "Fish Cheeks" is a coming-of-age story, as the narrator learns to accept herself and her heritage. This growth is evident in her shift in perspective from feeling ashamed to appreciating her family's unique traditions.
8. Emotional Impact: The story resonates emotionally because of the universal experiences of trying to fit in, struggling with self-acceptance, and appreciating family love.
By using these craft elements, Amy Tan crafts a powerful and moving story about cultural identity, family, and self-discovery.