Thesis: While “Fish Cheeks” and The Reluctant Fundamentalist both demonstrate the desire to belong, it is apparent by considering the texts together that one will not find happiness by depreciating their own culture.
Tan, to begin with, effectively uses narration to demonstrate the shame Amy has of her heritage and her desire to fit in with American culture. For instance, Tan displays Amy’s insecurity of her Chinese heritage when she states, “[what] would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked proper American manners?” (par. 2). This example portrays that Amy views America highly by conveying their manners in an appealing way and negatively labelling her Chinese customs as “noisy”. Additionally, shame is apparent when her father …show more content…
To begin, it is evident that Changez neglects his Pakistani traditions when he states, “I attempted to act and speak, as much as my dignity would permit, more like an American” (65). In Manila, Changez notices the respect that Filipinos have for Americans and therefore he changes his mannerisms in order to be valued as Americans are valued. This also demonstrates Changez awareness of America being viewed as superior to other countries and therefore he acts upon this by assimilating to their culture. Moreover, Hamid illustrates shame when Changez reviews Pakistan cities as “[unplanned], unsanitary affairs” (34) and describes America to be successful and wealthy. This comparison allows Changez to feel humiliated and thus he states, “[to] be reminded of this vast disparity was, for me, to be ashamed” (34). In using this phrase, it is clear that Changez is embarrassed of the economic state in Pakistan and does not want to be reminded of the evident differences between both countries. As a result, these examples represent the desire of Changez to belong, to be viewed as American, and the shame he has for his home
Tan, to begin with, effectively uses narration to demonstrate the shame Amy has of her heritage and her desire to fit in with American culture. For instance, Tan displays Amy’s insecurity of her Chinese heritage when she states, “[what] would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked proper American manners?” (par. 2). This example portrays that Amy views America highly by conveying their manners in an appealing way and negatively labelling her Chinese customs as “noisy”. Additionally, shame is apparent when her father …show more content…
To begin, it is evident that Changez neglects his Pakistani traditions when he states, “I attempted to act and speak, as much as my dignity would permit, more like an American” (65). In Manila, Changez notices the respect that Filipinos have for Americans and therefore he changes his mannerisms in order to be valued as Americans are valued. This also demonstrates Changez awareness of America being viewed as superior to other countries and therefore he acts upon this by assimilating to their culture. Moreover, Hamid illustrates shame when Changez reviews Pakistan cities as “[unplanned], unsanitary affairs” (34) and describes America to be successful and wealthy. This comparison allows Changez to feel humiliated and thus he states, “[to] be reminded of this vast disparity was, for me, to be ashamed” (34). In using this phrase, it is clear that Changez is embarrassed of the economic state in Pakistan and does not want to be reminded of the evident differences between both countries. As a result, these examples represent the desire of Changez to belong, to be viewed as American, and the shame he has for his home