Question

Why does Tan describe Robert and herself at the same time?

1) She shows how different they look to express her sense of not fitting in.
2) She shows how much she and Robert have in common to create a sense of happiness in being an American.
3) She shows that she and Robert are unlikely to get along to foreshadow that the crush she has on him will not last long.

Answer 1

Amy Tan's description of characters often reflects themes of identity, race, and class, using contrast to evoke feelings of alienation or inclusivity, or to foreshadow future relationships.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subjects of the passages provided seem to be deeply rooted in themes of identity, race, class, and the human condition. Amy Tan often explores these themes in her work, contrasting characters to highlight their experiences of cultural and racial differences and the complexities of interpersonal relationships within them.

In the context provided, when Tan describes Robert and herself, she could be employing literary techniques to showcase contrast in appearance to underline a feeling of alienation ('not fitting in'), or it could be to elucidate the similarities in cultural experiences to evoke a sense of unity and inclusivity ('a sense of happiness in being an American').

Alternatively, it could also suggest interpersonal dynamics between characters ('unlikely to get along'), potentially setting the stage for future developments in their relationship.