Blog #3

 

There is such an obvious hierarchy going on; ever since Niang came into the family things have been the way she wants it, no matter what. Since Niang is Adeline’s father’s wife now, that means the family is now under her care as well as the father, and since the father is manipulated by Niang and does anything for her, that means everyone else must go along with her demands or face her and their father’s wrath. The consequences are not worth fighting against Niang either, she has too much control over everyone, so much that she gets people on her side who weren’t originally on her side, like Big Sister. I think the father and siblings acted the way they did because of the power Niang has over the whole family. The father is on Niang’s side, in fact he doesn’t seem to believe anything is wrong with treating his kids different than her kids the way they are. The siblings go along with it because they are too afraid of Niang and the consequences that come with disobeying her. I believe this also relates to Big Sister slowly becoming more and more manipulative like Niang is. She sees the power Niang has and recognizes that in order to be a “part of the family” she must get on her good side first. When you look to someone and see what they are doing to become successful, you start developing the same habits and attitude they have, as if their path to success can also be your path. This “success” Niang has isn’t really success though; she is only head of household based on fear and manipulation, so Big Sister really isn’t looking up to the right person at all.