Blog #4

 

                Constantly suppressed at home, Adeline finds relief and support from her friends at school. Specifically, Wu Chun-mei is a friend who continues to push Adeline forward and stands by her without forcing her to open up. She is a friend who is always there-someone Adeline can count on. On Wu Chun-mei’s birthday, I got a sense of the agonizing pain a child should never go through. She had to constantly lie to avoid going to Wu Chun-mei’s house because of Niang’s rule. However, by luck Adeline gets to go without Niang knowing. Unfortunately, Niang finds out about Adeline going to the party. Later that night, Adeline’s father comes into her room and whips her with the dog whip. He also decides to separate her from Aunt Baba. Furthermore, her school friends come over to her home to congratulate her on the win for class president. However, the friends hear what her parents say to her while being kicked out of the home. In tears and anger, Wu Chun-mei yells at Adeline’s parents saying that they were unfair. The friends finally got a glimpse of what Adeline goes through in her home. They probably felt a sharp contrast compared to the time they spent at Wu Chun-mei’s birthday party. Niang did not offer them any food, let alone come out to greet them. She is then sent to St. Joseph’s school to be kept away from her family. She is then rescued by Niang’s sister who takes Adeline with her away from Tianjin and to safety. During the journey, Adeline is met with love and care from the family for the first time in her life. She is not only noticed, but also given a voice in making decisions. What she thought and wanted mattered for the first time.