Question

Embedding evidence samples we need to write what we notice

Amy Tan exhibits adolescent shame over her Chinese heritage through the responses of American visitors to her family’s customs: “At the end of the meal, my father leaned back and belched loudly, thanking my mother for her fine cooking. ‘It’s a polite Chinese custom to show you are satisfied,’ he explained to our astonished guests. Robert was looking down at his plate with a reddened face. The minister managed to muster a quiet burp. I was stunned into silence for the rest of the night” (1).

Answer 1

In this evidence sample, we notice that Amy Tan feels ashamed of her Chinese heritage during an interaction with American guests. She demonstrates this through her silence after her father exhibits a custom of belching loudly to show satisfaction with the meal. The reaction of the American guests to this custom also highlights the cultural differences between the two groups. Overall, this excerpt suggests a struggle with cultural identity and a desire to fit in with the dominant culture.

Step-by-step explanation: