Ye Ye is the father of Adeline’s Father and Aunt Baba, husband of Grandmother Nai Nai, and thus the grandfather of all of the children. He lives with the family and is dependent on them to live.
Who are the characters in the Chinese Cinderella?
Chinese Cinderella Characters. 1 Adeline Yen (Jun-Ling / Wu-Mei)Niang. Adeline is the narrator and protagonist of the memoir, which describes her coming-of-age in an abusive home. 2 Niang (Jeanne Prosperi) 3 Father (Joseph Yen) 4 Grandfather Ye Ye. 5 Grandmother Nai Nai. More items
What is the summary of Chinese Cinderella?
Chinese Cinderella Summary. Buy Study Guide. This book is the autobiography of a young Chinese girl, Adeline Yen Mah. Born the fifth child to an affluent Chinese family, her life begins tragically. Adeline’s mother died shortly after her birth due to complications bought on by the delivery, marking her as cursed, or ‘bad luck’, by her siblings.
What happened to Ye Ye in Chinese Cinderella?
Ye Ye dies near the end of the story and is given a Buddhist funeral, of which he was a devout practitioner. The Chinese Cinderella quotes below are all either spoken by Grandfather Ye Ye or refer to Grandfather Ye Ye.
What happened to Adeline in Chinese Cinderella?
Chinese Cinderella Summary This book is the autobiography of a young Chinese girl, Adeline Yen Mah. Born the fifth child to an affluent Chinese family, her life begins tragically. Adeline’s mother died shortly after her birth due to complications bought on by the delivery, marking her as cursed, or ‘bad luck’, by her siblings.
Who are the characters in Chinese Cinderella?
The major characters in Chinese Cinderella include Adeline, Lydia, Father, Niang, Ye Ye, and Aunt Baba.
Who is nai nai in Chinese Cinderella?
Nai Nai is the wife of Ye Ye, mother of Adeline's Father, and grandmother of all of the children. She lives with the family and is dependent on them to live.
What is Adeline's Chinese name in Chinese Cinderella?
The children referred to her as Niang (娘 niáng, another Chinese term for mother), and she is called so throughout Chinese Cinderella.
Who is fourth Brother in Chinese Cinderella?
FranklinFourth Brother is the first child of Father's second marriage, and he is Niang's eldest and favorite child.
Who is adelines best friend?
Wu Chun-meiWu Chun-mei is the daughter of a wealthy merchant family and becomes Adeline's best friend during her years in Shanghai. The two bond over their love of reading, and Chun-mei often loans Adeline books to read in exchange for help with arithmetic.
What is Niang?
English translation of 娘 ( niang / niáng ) - mother in Chinese.
Why is Adeline's nickname genius?
Adeline strives to please Aunt Baba through excelling in her academics. By the time she is seven and in second grade, her classmates nickname her “Genius.” After Adeline's teacher praises an essay she writes about her friendship with Aunt Baba, Adeline becomes enamored with story-writing.
Is Yeh Shen Chinese Cinderella?
Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China, retold by Ai-Ling Louie (1982), is an early version of the classic fairy tale and was based on the Chinese manuscript “Youyang Zazu,” which might best be trans- lated as The Miscellaneous Record of You Yang.
Who is Lydia in Chinese Cinderella?
Big Sister is the first daughter of Father's first marriage, stepdaughter of Niang, and eldest of the stepchildren. Big Sister is cruel and manipulative, using her debilitated left arm as an excuse to bully her siblings into doing her chores.
How does third Brother betray Adeline?
This sometimes involves hurting Adeline—including one instance in which, at the urging of his brothers, he convinces Adeline to drink orange juice with urine in it, betraying her trust in him for the sake of a prank.
What does third Brother mean when he says that he is a cold fish?
What was life like when Niang, father, and their other children were back in Tianjin? Life was glorious - the children didn't have Niang and Father watching their every move. What does third brother mean when he says that he is a cold fish? Cold fish means having no feeling.
How does second Brother react to Adeline's medal?
How does Second Brother react to Adeline's medal? He hits her on the top of the head and twists her right arm sharply.
What is nai nai mean in Chinese?
grandmaJuliet Nai nai (奶奶) is the Chinese word for grandma, and it specifies to your father's mother.
What is nai nai in Mandarin?
nǎi nai. (informal) grandma (paternal grandmother) (respectful) mistress of the house CL:位[wei4] (coll.)
What does the name NAI mean in Chinese?
Nai is a Chinese surname that can be spelled in 2 different ways in Chinese: 赖 / 賴 [Lai / Nai] Meaning: to depend on, to hang on in a place, bad, to renege (on promise), to disclaim, to rat (on debts), rascally, to blame, to put the blame on, variant of 賴|赖[lai4]
Is nai nai Mandarin or Cantonese?
Hm Nai (Mandarin: Wunai (唔奈 Wúnài), Cantonese: Ng-nai) is a Hmong-Mien language (Chinese: Miao-Yao 苗瑶) spoken in western Hunan province, China. There are approximately 5800 people speaking this language, and the number is decreasing....Hm Nai language.Hm NaiNg-naiNative toChinaRegionHunanEthnicity8,000 (2007)7 more rows
How has her love for reading and writing affected Adeline’s life in a positive way
Adeline is articulate and able to think critically. She can see life beyond the myopic constraints of her immediate family. Learning is her salvati...
What was the most shocking thin Naismith did leading up to big sisters weding
Who do you mean by "Naismith"?
“Like Ye Xian, you have defied the odds and garnered triumph through your own efforts.” (page 225, Chapter 22) To whom is Aunt Baba comparing Adeline and why?
Aunt Baba compares Adeline to Cinderella because of the obstacles she has faced and overcome.
How has her love for reading and writing affected Adeline’s life in a positive way
Adeline is articulate and able to think critically. She can see life beyond the myopic constraints of her immediate family. Learning is her salvati...
What was the most shocking thin Naismith did leading up to big sisters weding
Who do you mean by "Naismith"?
“Like Ye Xian, you have defied the odds and garnered triumph through your own efforts.” (page 225, Chapter 22) To whom is Aunt Baba comparing Adeline and why?
Aunt Baba compares Adeline to Cinderella because of the obstacles she has faced and overcome.
Why do Adeline and Aunt Baba have a close bond?
Tasked with taking care of Adeline, the two develop a close bond due to their position as the unwanted and powerless members of the family. Aunt Baba provides encouragement for Adeline to pursue her dreams, a decision that causes her to lose favor in the eyes of Niang.
How does Big Sister manipulate Niang?
This is just one of the ways she manipulates those around her. Big Sister constantly attempts to curry favor with Niang and Father to advance her own situation. By ratting out her younger siblings, she is invited to join the "superior" children on the second floor, and becomes one of Niang's spies.
What is the last thing we see of Big Sister?
Big Sister is thrilled with the idea of marriage, but Adeline is horrified. She cannot imagine being taken out of school at seventeen and "thrust into the arms of a stranger," though Big Sister is overjoyed to have all eyes on her. This is the last we see of Big Sister, as she joyfully leaves for her honeymoon.
Why is Adeline an outcast?
Adeline is an outcast in the eyes of much of her own family, since her birth brought upon the death of her mother. Her inadvertent role in her mother's passing causes animosity between her and her older siblings and contributes to her father's apathy towards her.
What is the cruelest brother in Adeline?
The cruelest of all Adeline's brothers, Second Brother often goes out of his way to make life miserable for Adeline. He hates when she is praised and always doles out some punishment each time she has some positive attention. Second Brother comes up with many of the tricks they play on Adeline. Our protagonist is always on edge when near him and can find no real reason for his supreme hatred for her; she only knows that her existence is reason enough for the family to hate her.
What is Ye Ye's relationship with his grandchildren?
Ye Ye's relationship with his grandchildren is slight, except in the case of Adeline whom he views as "different." He supports her as best he can, telling Adeline that she has the talent to break out of her unfortunate cycle. In his later years, Ye Ye is visibly saddened by the state of his family and the behavior of his son.
Who is Adeline's aunt?
Adeline maintains a very close relationship with her Aunt Baba and both her grandparents, turning to them for reason and comfort throughout her early years. Her Aunt's support combined with her father's brief flashes of approval lead Adeline to pursue academic excellence, leading to her outstanding performance in school and indomitable drive. Although her siblings and stepmother Niang often abuse her, Adeline attempts to overcome her problematic home life with her performance and community outside it.
Who is Aunt Reine?
Aunt Reine. Aunt Reine is Niang ’s older sister, mother of Claudine and Victor, and Adeline ’s aunt. Aunt Reine and her family rescues Adeline from Tianjin and the Communists by taking her with them aboard… read analysis of Aunt Reine.
Where was Adeline born?
Born the fifth child of a wealthy businessman in Tianjin, China, Adeline is blamed for the death of… read analysis of Adeline Yen (Jun-Ling / Wu-Mei)Niang.
Who is Miss Chien?
Miss Chien. Miss Chien is a nanny hired by Niang when the family lives in Hong Kong, but whose real purpose seems to be to spy on the stepchildren. Although Big Sister initially despises Miss Chien as much as the other children, she befriends her once Niang buys her off.
Who is the second brother?
Second Brother is the third child of Father ’s first marriage, stepson of Niang, and middle of the stepchildren. Though it is never fully revealed why, Second Brother is the cruelest sibling towards Adeline … read analysis of Second Brother (Edgar)
Who is Victor's sister?
Claudine is the younger sister of Victor, daughter of Aunt Reine, and younger cousin of Adeline. Like her brother, Claudine helps to demonstrate what a healthy family can look like and shares… read analysis of Claudine
Who is the nun who spends the most time with Adeline when she is abandoned by her parents at the boarding?
Mother Marie is the nun who spends the most time with Adeline when she is abandoned by her parents at the boarding school in Tianjin. Although Mother Maria initially is harsh and makes fun of… read analysis of Mother Marie
Who is Mary Suen?
Mary Suen. Mary is a close friend of Adeline during the years spent at boarding school. Mary is kind and considerate, visiting Adeline every day in the hospital when she is stricken with pneumonia one summer. Even… read analysis of Mary Suen.
What does Niang say to Adeline?
Are you deaf? Tell them to gun dan (get lost) and never come here again. Never! Never! Never!' The rules in the house are clear, and Niang defies them. No going out to visit, and no one coming to visit.
How does Adeline gain favor?
She tries to gain favor and attention from her father by doing well and winning medals in school. Aunt Baba is also unwanted, so she forms a bond with Adeline, but Adeline ends up also feeling valued with the Schilling family, who are relatives of Niang.
What does it mean to enroll in a course?
Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams.
What is Adeline's goal?
Adeline's main goal is to please her father. She can see he is happy with her when she does well in school, and because she has been so starved of attention, she works harder in school to gain his approval.
Who is Aunt Baba in the book?
Aunt Baba is Father's older sister and is in charge of taking care of Adeline. Niang does not approve of her, and because Adeline and Aunt Baba are both unwanted in the family, they form a bond that is as tight as glue. Adeline knows that she will be there for her. It is Aunt Baba who urges Adeline to go after what she wants, to dream big in life, and believes she will succeed. But this belief in Adeline puts her in Niang's cross hairs.
Who is the Schilling family?
The Schilling Family is the family of Niang's sister , but turns out to be the light in the tunnel of darkness for Adeline. Victor, one of the children, is the only person who ever stands up for her. They treat her as an equal, and Victor speaks up when Niang is mistreating Adeline. Yen Mah writes, 'He climbed out to stand by my side. Together, we watched the car drive off. I was overwhelmed by his chivalry but could find no words sufficient to express my gratitude.'
Is Adeline a girl?
She is twice unwanted - she is a girl (in Chinese culture, girls are not as valued), and she is seen as the cause of her mother's death. Her fate is sealed. But, Adeline believes that if you 'Transcend your abuse and transform it into a source of courage, creativity and compassion' you can make a difference, and that is what she tried to do.
What happened to Ye Xian after her friend died?
At the death of her dear friend, Ye Xian broke down and sobbed by the water’s edge. Suddenly, an ancient spirit appeared and informed her that the fish’s bones contained a powerful spirit and that if she ever needed anything, she should kowtow before them and make a wish. Ye Xian found the bones and hid them.
Why did Ye Xian leave one shoe behind?
Ye Xian was afraid of being found out, so she fled, leaving one shoe behind in her haste. She changed back into her tattered old dress as soon as she got home. She tried to talk to the bones, but they were silent, and offered no help. Full of disappointment, she hid her one remaining shoe in her bed.
Why are fish symbols so popular in Chinese New Year?
Around the time of the Chinese New Year, there will frequently be an increase in fish symbols. This is because the word for fish, “Yu,” is a homonym to “ surplus ” 餘 in the Chinese language and is therefore considered auspicious.
What is the symbol of good fortune?
Fish are symbols of good fortune in China, and often seen around the Chinese New Year. (Image: Angela Roma via Pexels)
When was the first Cinderella story written?
Ye Xian, 葉 限, is the story of a young Chinese girl living sometime between China’s Qin and Han Dynasties (221-206 BC and 206 -220 AD, respectively.) It is the earliest recorded Cinderella story and contains certain Buddhist principles. The tale eventually spread across the Europe and around the world. While ancient stories are still being read today, new versions of Cinderella continue to be produced.
Who is Simone Jonker?
Simone Jonker worked in NTD Inspired for two years. She wrote light articles and inspiring stories.
Who was Ye Xian?
Ye Xian was the child of widowed Chief Wu, who lived in ancient China. When she was just a baby her father died from illness and she was left in the care of a foster mother. This woman despised Ye Xian, because she was prettier and kinder than her own daughter; so she mistreated her by assigning her the most unpleasant chores.
Why was Adeline rejected?
Ever since Adeline was born, she had been rejected coldly because her family believed her to bring bad luck. Her father's first wife died two weeks after giving birth to her, the fifth child. Soon, her father remarries Jeanne Prosperi (referred to as "Niang" in most of the story, an alternate term for "mother" in Mandarin Chinese), a beautiful half-French woman. She regards his first five children, especially Adeline, with distaste and cruelty while favouring her younger son, Franklin, and daughter, Susan, both born soon after the marriage.
What is the book Adeline about?
The book outlines Adeline's struggle to find a place where she feels she belongs. She did not get very much 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 as Niang deems them to exert a bad influence on the children. Adeline immerses herself in striving for academic achievement in the hope of winning her family's appreciation, but also for its own rewards as she finds great pleasure in words and scholarly success, progressing in things that her father and step-mother had never expected, for example by topping her class. She has many friends at school who love her for who she is, but they do not know about her inside life.
What is Adeline's academic achievement?
Adeline immerses herself in striving for academic achievement in the hope of winning her family's appreciation, but also for its own rewards as she finds great pleasure in words and scholarly success, progressing in things that her father and step-mother had never expected, for example by topping her class.
Where is Adeline taken away?
IGCSE Extract Synopsis. While at boarding school in Hong Kong, Adeline is taken away by her chauffeur and told that Ye Ye has died, leaving her broken-hearted but the rest of her family is indifferent.
When was Cinderella published?
First published in 1999, Chinese Cinderella is a revised version of part of her 1997 autobiography, Falling Leaves. Her mother died after giving birth to her (of fever) and she is known to her family as the worst luck ever.
Is Chinese Cinderella a non-fiction book?
Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society. Chinese Cinderella: The Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter (Wishbones) is a non-fiction book by Chinese-American physician and author Adeline Yen Mah describing her experiences growing up in China. First published in 1999, Chinese Cinderella is a revised version of part of her 1997 autobiography, ...
What is Cinderella about?
Undeniably one of the most well-read fairy tales made popular by Disney’s 1950s film, Cinderella describes the life of a young woman forced into servitude by her stepmother until she is freed by her fairy godmother and a charming prince.
Why do some stories survive and others not?
Hamlet = Amlohdi for example. Why do some stories survive and others not is perhaps because the survivors have deep meaning for us and form some kind of umbilical attachement to our ancestors. .
Why is Ye Xian forced to become a servant?
With the death of her father, Ye Xian is forced to become the servant to her stepfamily, as much to destroy her beauty as to degrade her. Furthermore, as her father was a Chinese chieftain, his lack of male heirs allows another man to take control of the tribe, thus regulating Ye Xian and her family to poverty.
What is the role of Ye Xian's fishy friend?
However, just as the fairy godmother of the better known maiden Cinderella has extraordinary magic, so does the Ye Xian's fishy friend. Its role in Ye Xian's future does not end with this mishap. Following the murder of her only friend, Ye Xian is visited by the spirit of an old ancestor who informs her that while the shell ...
What is Ye Xian's dress?
Yet, with the aid of the fish wishing bones, Ye Xian manages to attend the great gathering in secret, dressed in a beautiful, feathered silk dress and a pair of golden slippers. Anyone who is an avid reader of fairy tales, or who has seen the 1950 Disney version of "Cinderella" has a hint as to what happens next.
Where does the golden slipper end up?
Through a series of intelligent trades, the golden slipper ends up in the hands of the king of the To'Han islets, a large kingdom encompassing numerous islands . The shoe's small size intrigues the man, as small feet were (until recently) considered a sign of ideal female beauty, and demands to find the shoe's owner.
Where is Ye Xian's story?
The protagonist of the tale, Ye Xian is the motherless daughter of a cave-dwelling chieftain in an uncertain region of China called Wudoung. The other primary characters of Ye Xian's tale all fall into a very similar role to that of the French "Cinderella": there is the cruel stepmother, ...
Analysis Point 2
Ye Ye not only cares about Adeline but the whole family. He gives attention to other people as well.
Introduction
Ye Ye tries his best to make sure that everyone in the family enjoys a lot.
