Blog #2

 

The book Chinese Cinderella explores the experience of a neglected child. One would assume the privileged position of Adeline’s family is one that she would enjoy. However, she is blamed for her mother’s death during childbirth and is an ominous figure that seems to stain her family’s fate of any future success. Adeline seeks recognition from her family to no avail. Her father is anything but sympathetic towards her, and her brothers follow the same example. They openly blame Adeline for their mother’s death, and constantly belittle her at the expense of this tragedy. The affection and compassion Adeline seeks as a typical child her age is given to her by her Aunt Baba. Aunt Baba is representative of the mother figure absent from Adeline’s life because she gives her encouragement to keep engaged in academic endeavors. Her support gives Adeline confidence to be herself and explore her capabilities at school; a freedom she is denied at home. School provides her with a sense of belonging- she is part of a group that acknowledges her talent. Adeline’s awareness of her capabilities as a student allows her to see how school can play a role in making her family proud of her. She figures if she is successful at school, her family will see that she can contribute this same value within the familial unit to ultimately belong among them.