POST B

Overall, I really liked the book Chinese Cinderella. I think that you got a really good perception of how Adeline was feeling throughout the story, and what she was going through. As the story went on, I was unsure if it would be a “happy ending”, or if everyone would desert Adeline, but I was happy she got to go to college in England. After winning the play writing contest, I thought that Adeline’s dad might be mad at her, but luckily he wasn’t. When Adeline’s grandma wrote her a letter of congratulations she said, “By winning that prestigious international playwriting competition, you have climbed another rung on the ladder of success. Like Ye Xian, you have defied the odds and garnered triumph through your own efforts. Your future is limitless, and I shall always be proud of you, my Chinese Cinderella” (pg 197). I think that this quote sums up the entire book, in that it tells although she was harshly treated, and not given great opportunities, Adeline worked to the goals she made for herself, and eventually achieved them. I also think that this quote shows even though Adeline was worn down and sad from being treated badly, she never gave up, and one time of trouble didn’t stop her. I think that now having more freedom and the ability to do more, Adeline will achieve even more. I think it was smart of Adeline’s grandma to show her the story of Ye Xian, because she needed to see that anything was possible.

POST A

I only noticed a few cultural differences in the section I read this week. Adeline mentions a lot that her sister is in an arranged marriage, and how she is worried that she will be sent off too. In ap euro we learned that in China when a women was married back then they got no say in it, and once you got married you lived with the husband’s parents, and rarely saw your own. Adeline said, “‘I’m terrified they’ll force me into an arranged marriage like Big Sister’s just to be rid of me’” (pg 181).

Also at the end of the book, I thought it was cool how they connected the American Cinderella to a “Chinese Cinderella” story. The story is basically the same as our Cinderella and Adeline learns about the story from her grandma, who compares the main character Ye Xian to Adeline in how she overcame her troubles, and became successful. In a letter to Adeline, her grandma said, “Your future is limitless, and I shall always be proud of you, my Chinese Cinderella” (pg 197).

Lastly, Adeline’s dream was to go to England to study, and it seemed like most people wanting to go to college went abroad. Also, it is not just normal, but required in schools for Adeline and her classmates to know English, Chinese and other languages where as in America, most people only know English.

Post B

I only have twenty pages left in my book, and I had trouble putting it down, I really like the stories. I really like Chinese Cinderella better than I thought I would and I am excited to see how the book ends.

Ever since Adeline’s Aunt Reine came to pick up Adeline from the boarding school, I think Adeline’s life has gotten a lot better, and she became a lot more confident until Naing sent Adeline to a new boarding school. When Adeline went to Hong Kong with Aunt Reine and her family I think it gave Adeline an idea of how children should actually be treated, and that not all mothers are like Naing. I think that seeing this will give Adeline the confidence to tell someone about what Naing and her father, and what they are doing to her. I was really happy when Victor, Aunt Reine’s son stood up for Adeline, and wouldn’t go to lunch without her, but I was also confused why Aunt Reine hasn’t realized how badly Adeline is being treated. I was really hoping that they might adopt Adeline, but they didn’t, so I hope they come back to get her. As Adeline talks about how kind the Schillings (Aunt Reine) were to her she says, “That was how the Schilling family treated me throughout the time I spent with them. They made me feel as if I were their child. For the first time in my life, I did not automatically get the short end of the stick but was given an equal share, just like Victor and Claudine” (pg. 142). I think that this quote shows how unaware Adeline was that people actually treat all their kids as equals, and are not harsh to any of them. I think that by spending time with them, Adeline started to want a normal family more than ever.

Post A

In this section that I read the main cultural differences were the languages spoken. As Adeline arrived in Hong King she saw that the most spoken languages were either Chinese or English, because Britain at that time controlled China. Adeline, after learning so much English at the different schools she has attended has become accustomed to it and is no longer interested in Chinese. When Adeline tells her Grandpa this he says, “‘I agree that Chinese words are more difficult to learn that English. We do not have an alphabet, and there is no correlation at all between our written and spoken language. In fact, I once met a Frenchmen who could not speak a word of Chinese so he worked as a translator of Chinese law at the French consulate in Shanghai’” (pg.152). Ye Ye, Adeline’s grandpa also talks about how the language has more meaning than English, and that each picture that represents a word or phrase is meaningful and symbolic. Lastly, he talks about how it is important for Adeline to know her own language because of her culture, and so she can be respected by others.

One small cultural difference was how a couple times it was mentioned that people had left unwanted babies on the street, or a child was for sale, and when they were in Hong Kong they saw this, “The child had a large placard hanging around her neck on which was written, my name is Feng San-an. I am for sale” (pg. 160).

Chinese Cinderella, Post B

Dear Adeline,
I am reading your memoir, Chinese Cinderella and I think that it is really unbelievable how malicious Naing was and how much your father disregarded you. I thought it was unbelievable that your father forgot your name and your birthday because I think that being your father, he should love you no matter what. I can’t believe he didn’t even say good-bye to you when the dropped you off at the boarding school. As the numbers at the boarding school dwindled, you seemed more comfortable at the school because there was no one there to laugh at you. I think after Naing has called you names and put you down, it has really lowered your self esteem and confidence. I think that you should just be yourself, and don’t let anyone make fun of you.

When your aunt (Naing’s sister) saved you, and was going to bring you to Hong Kong, away from the communism, you were more worried about how mad Naing would be to see you, rather than being happy you were going home. As you left the boarding school, you thought, “I dared not to reply but I thought what can be worse? All the time I was quaking at the thought of what Niang would say when she saw me” (pg 139). I think that you should look on the bright side that you get to see people that do love you and care about you. Lastly, I think that you should tell someone at your school or your aunt (Naing’s sister) about how they have been treating you.

Good luck in Hong Kong!

-Annabel

Chinese Cinderella, Post A

The main cultural difference was the fact that during this time period, China was going through a civil war and the communists eventually won. In September 1948, Adeline’s father and Naing sent her to a boarding school to Shanghai, away from Adeline’s home in Tianjin. This was the opposite direction everyone else was going, because the communists had begun to take over Shanghai and everyone was desperately fleeing. Adeline learns all this news from a mom of a student at the boarding school, who said, “‘Haven’t they heard the Communists are winning the war? Soon PLA soldiers will be marching in from Manchuria. When they arrive they’ll probably arrest is capitalists along with the foreign sisters and put everybody in prison’” (129). I think that it was ridiculous that Naing and Adeline’s father would send her somewhere so dangerous.

Another cultural difference was the language differences in different parts of China. Adeline Spoke in a Shanghai dialect at home, while in Tianjin, everyone spoke Mandarin. Also at the boarding school, Adeline, along with the other few remaining students were only allowed to speak French or English, and English was a necessary thing to learn at every school Adeline went to. Lastly throughout the story you can see that there was not much technology used like phones, and there were few cars, but this could just be because of the time period too.

Chines Ciinderella, Week 4, Post A

This week I noticed several small cultural differences. One difference was how Adeline and her siblings received ducks as pets. I think if any child here in the U.S. would have a duck for a pet, people would probably be worried it would be dirty and just think was weird. Also, the Chinese New year is mentioned in almost every chapter along with traditions that go along with it.

One big cultural difference mentioned was the arranged marriage between Adeline’s sister and Niang’s friend’s son. When Adeline describes the marriage she says that her sister is seventeen, while Samuel, her sister’s fiancé is thirty-one. In the U.S. this is illegal, and that age difference is unusual, even if Adeline’s sister was older. Also, because her sister is getting married, she is quitting school and not getting her diploma, and not going to college. I think that because this story takes place awhile ago, many women didn’t go to college, even in the U.S., but I’m not sure if this has changed now as much in China as it has in the U.S. When talking about the marriage Adeline thinks, “How can Big Sister remain so cheerful when her life is about to take such a ghastly turn? To be taken out of school and thrust into the arms of a stranger! […]What did Niang say to induce Big Sister to agree to such a fate” (pg. 86). I don’t know how anyone could just agree to marry someone they have never met. How would you know you would like them or want to spend the rest of your life with them?

Chinese Cinderella, Week 4, Post B

After reading a little over a hundred pages in Chinese Cinderella, I think that it is a good book, but not that great because the book it mostly several small stories of Adeline’s life. Although you can see a small plot line, there isn’t really an overall story and it gives you nothing to anticipate or look forward to. Because there isn’t one storyline, I think it is hard to predict what will happen next except for the fact that Niang will most likely continue being harsh to Adeline.

One character, Adeline’s father is important in the overall story, but isn’t mentioned much. Adeline seems to act that he is nice to her because he is proud when she does well in school, but I really don’t think he is that great of a dad. I think that just because she isn’t directly mean to Adeline, he still isn’t a good father because he follows Niang when she is mean to or is ignoring Adeline. I felt really bad for Adeline when her pet duck was purposefully put in front of their mean dog to test his obedience. Adeline’s duck died when the dog attacked, but Adeline’s dad should have stopped everyone from using her pet. Lastly, I think that Adeline’s dad needs to be more compassionate. After whipping Adeline, which I thought was horrible, Adeline said, “I looked up at him in utter desolation. The fabric of my life was about to be torn apart. My heart felt heavy with the most excruciating pain. But he merely relooped the whip over his arm and walked out” (pg104). I think that Adeline should tell a teacher or maybe a friend at school about her parents and how they are treating her.