Blog #3

 

                The new hierarchy of power Niang imposed on Adeline’s family was inevitable. She became the lead of the household after Grandmother Nai Nai’s death. Adeline’s plead for Niang to stop beating Little Sister is not only seen as intrusive, but an act of defiance against Niang’s acquired power of the household. Adeline’s father and siblings do not have a choice but to surrender to the ways in which Niang wants to rule the family. Adeline’s siblings realize that even though they too are belittled family members, they are better off than their sister. They are willing to give up their pride for any type of comfort. Such is the case when all the siblings begged Niang’s forgiveness for their behavior, and were rewarded with money to commute to school. Therefore, it is convenient to them to withstand Niang’s rules and avoid provoking her. Initially, Big Sister felt just as frustrated and insulted as her siblings for being forced to succumb to Niang’s rules. However, she adopts the manipulative attitude of her stepmother because she realizes how much Niang has achieved by enforcing her influence over her family at all costs. Niang married a wealthy man, and is able to do whatever she pleases without repercussions from her husband, or anyone else. Thus, it becomes convenient and perhaps, admirable to Big Sister to follow in Niang’s footsteps so she can someday too, achieve this level of success.