Chinese Cinderella
By: Kelsey Allen
Summary and Character Analysis
Setting
Author
Plot
Rising Action:Adeline’s siblings treat her as if she has committed a crime; they make rude comments and physically abuse her when the adults aren’t around to watch. As if her siblings didn’t abuse her enough she is also emotionally and physically abused by her stepmother and father. Adeline’s father lets Niang have control over the children he barely pays attention to any of the children.
Climax: Niang and Father decide that Adeline needs to be separated from the family because she is “no use”, so she is sent to a boarding school in Hong Kong. Adeline is separated by her beloved Aunt Baba and her Ye Ye. Adeline is sent to where the communists are taking over and putting people in jail. She is sent to a catholic boarding school were you are supposed to speak English or French which she speaks very brokenly. Adeline is soon the only student left in the boarding school, because everyone else’s parents have come to rescue them. While there she is never visited or receives any letters or treats.
Plot
Resolution:Adeline enters a major writing contest, she wins. This gains her father’s attention. With her desperate pleading Father allows her to go to college in London with her older brother. However, Father doesn’t let Adeline study what she desires; he lets her go if she studies medicine. Adeline studies Medicine; it doesn’t bother her because she will later become a writer.