Chinese Cinderella
Encyclopedia
Chinese Cinderella is an autobiography written by author Adeline Yen Mah
which describes her experiences growing up in China
during the Second World War. It was published in 1999 and is a revised version of part of her autobiography, Falling Leaves.
Born the fifth child to an affluent Chinese family Adeline's life begins tragically. Adeline's mother died two weeks after her birth due to complications bought on by the delivery, and in Chinese culture she is considered bad luck. This situation is compounded by her father's new marriage to a lady who has littleaffection for her husband's five children. She displayed overt antagonism and distrust towards all of the children, particularly Adeline, while favoring her own younger son and daughter born soon after the marriage. The book outlines Adeline's struggle to find a place where she feels she belongs. Denied love from her parents, she finds some solace in relationships with her grandfather Ye Ye,and her Aunt Baba, but they are taken from her. Adeline immerses herself in striving for academic achievement in the hope of winning favour, but also for its own rewards as she finds great pleasure wrong in words and scholarly success. Adeline progresses through various situations in life, from boarding school to studies abroad.
While playing Monopoly
with her friends at boarding school, Adeline is interrupted and taken home by her chauffeur. She meets her father in his room (the Holy of Holies), where he proceeds to tell Adeline the she has won first prize in the international play-writing competition. Adeline, thinking it was now or never, asks him if she could attend school in England with her brother. When asked what major, she says literature. But her father rejects her idea and orders her to go to medical school instead of literature and specialize in obstetrics. Adeline finally gets something she had been longing for, a chance to follow her dreams and to get away from Niang. She is able to go to college in England along with third brother.
Adeline Yen Mah
Adeline Yen Mah is a Chinese American author and physician. She grew up in Tianjin, Shanghai and Hong Kong with an older sister, Lydia ; three older brothers, Gregory , Edgar and James ; and a younger half brother, Franklin and half sister, Susan...
which describes her experiences growing up in China
Republic of China (1912–1949)
In 1911, after over two thousand years of imperial rule, a republic was established in China and the monarchy overthrown by a group of revolutionaries. The Qing Dynasty, having just experienced a century of instability, suffered from both internal rebellion and foreign imperialism...
during the Second World War. It was published in 1999 and is a revised version of part of her autobiography, Falling Leaves.
Plot
Adeline's family considered her bad luck and she was made to feel unwanted all her life. This is the story of her struggle for acceptance and how she overcame the odds to prove her worth.Born the fifth child to an affluent Chinese family Adeline's life begins tragically. Adeline's mother died two weeks after her birth due to complications bought on by the delivery, and in Chinese culture she is considered bad luck. This situation is compounded by her father's new marriage to a lady who has littleaffection for her husband's five children. She displayed overt antagonism and distrust towards all of the children, particularly Adeline, while favoring her own younger son and daughter born soon after the marriage. The book outlines Adeline's struggle to find a place where she feels she belongs. Denied love from her parents, she finds some solace in relationships with her grandfather Ye Ye,and her Aunt Baba, but they are taken from her. Adeline immerses herself in striving for academic achievement in the hope of winning favour, but also for its own rewards as she finds great pleasure wrong in words and scholarly success. Adeline progresses through various situations in life, from boarding school to studies abroad.
Life-changing moments
While at boarding school, Adeline is taken away by her chauffeur. She is told that her grandfather, Ye Ye has died. While at the funeral, Adeline openly weeps, while her stepmother and her father look on stony-faced. The rest of her siblings don't care and through the ceremony don't show any heartache to the loss of this family member who loved them so much.While playing Monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
with her friends at boarding school, Adeline is interrupted and taken home by her chauffeur. She meets her father in his room (the Holy of Holies), where he proceeds to tell Adeline the she has won first prize in the international play-writing competition. Adeline, thinking it was now or never, asks him if she could attend school in England with her brother. When asked what major, she says literature. But her father rejects her idea and orders her to go to medical school instead of literature and specialize in obstetrics. Adeline finally gets something she had been longing for, a chance to follow her dreams and to get away from Niang. She is able to go to college in England along with third brother.