FROM CHINESE CINDERELLA Adeline Yen Mah’s ‘Chinese Cinderella’ is the story of pain, rejection and triumph. Mental pain, contempt and cruelty were the harsh realities of her life. But the will to succeed and win recognition proved to be powerful motivating factors. The subtext is based in the years 1940-1950 and on memoirs of Adeline’s childhood. This extract is based on one of the few occasions when she went home. The title has a dreamy fairy tale like tone. It is used in an ironic manner and appropriately
meaningful, something that pulls a reader in- so that the audience can laugh when the character laughs or cry when the character cries. It must be significant. A story that fits the definition of “significant” is one by Adeline Yen Mah. In the novel “Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter,” Adeline Yen Mah pulls the reader in by using the themes of loneliness and acceptance- something that is faced by nearly all at some point in their life. What makes Yen Jun-ling’s story so engaging are
makes gaps even two can pass abreast” (1). In this instance, the child is the wall, and the parent is the person that does not love it. Slowly, the child will break apart, and eventually collapse without the affection and support they need. In Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah, this is one of the few unfortunate exceptions where the child doesn’t acquire assistance from any parent. Adeline had many occurrences within her community that changed her mentality, one being that her self-esteem declined
eventually collapse without the affection and support they need. “Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, that sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, and spills the upper boulders in the sun; and makes gaps even two can pass abreast” (1). In Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah, this is one of the few exceptions where the child doesn’t acquire assistance from any parent. Adeline has many occurences within her community that changed her mentality, one being that her self-esteem becomes low, and makes
The book Chinese Cinderella, written by Adeline Yen Mah has four main themes. They are: family & relationships, abandonment & loneliness, self-esteem and history. The author Adeline Yen Mah, also wrote the book Falling Leaves but Chinese Cinderella was written for younger audiences. Chinese Cinderella is actually an autobiography, not a fairy tale. Adeline (the protagonist) has to work for her dreams, not by wishing from a fairy godmother. This book was set in the 1900’s (1941-1952). At that time
Chinese Cinderella Study Questions (Chapter 1-11) Chapter 1 (pgs. 1-3) 1. When does this story begin? Autumn, 1941 2. What is Adeline’s great accomplishment in this chapter? She was top of the class. 3. What is Aunt Baba like? Really kind, however very secretive about her sister. 4. What does Aunt Baba keep in her safe deposit box? Why? Jade Bracelet, Pearl Necklace and A diamond watch because they are her ‘treasures’. 5. How did Adeline’s mom die? She died giving birth to Adeline. 6. Why
make matters worse, later on in her life her father remarried to a cruel French woman named Niang, who afterword had two children. Not only was Adeline neglected, but her older siblings were also not as popular as Naing’s children. In the book Chinese Cinderella, Adeline was a weak character when she would not stand up to her friends, could not stand up to her siblings, and would not even think about standing up to her stepmother. To begin with, Adeline was a weak character when she would not stand
that Cinderella stories have become an essential folktales not only to young people but as well as to older people. These stories have been recognized worldwide. Even more so, they were retold by different people and have been translated to different languages. What is fascinating about this is that different cultures have different interpretations of Cinderella stories and some do not appear to be the same slightly. Moreover, this paper examines two different cultures, Yen- Shen a Chinese Cinderella
In the autobiography Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah, the narrator was influenced in many ways by the people around her. One character which influences the narrator’s life to a vast amount was her step-mother Niang. Her Aunt Baba also played a very big part on how Yen Mah turned out in her later and earlier years as well as everywhere in between. Her grandfather Ye-Ye was a constant support to Adeline Yen Mah. In the book Chinese Cinderella it is apparent that Niang has had a positive and
As the world continues to evolve, there are various social issues that exist. Childhood neglect is problematic in society, especially in China. In Chinese Cinderella, Adeline Yen Mah exposes the severity of emotional abuse and neglect of children through her personal experiences. Literature addresses this topic through the interactions of the characters and the plot of the novel. She conveys her autobiography through antagonistic characterization and her writing style of point of view and tone. Literary