Chinese Cinderella
CHINESE CINDERELLA NOVEL STUDY written by Adeline Yen Mah
1. Why did the author call this story “Chinese Cinderella? (4 marks)
The author decided to name this novel Chinese Cinderella because it relates to the same storyline as the fairytale, Cinderella. The author led the same type of life as the main character of Cinderella- being an unwanted daughter, mistreated and unloved by her stepmother. As in the fairytale, she overcame the odds to prove her worth with a fulfilling life and good education. The story’s author, Adeline Yen Mah, was Chinese so she called it Chinese Cinderella which is alliterative so has a good sound for a title.
2. What is the setting of Chinese Cinderella? (2 marks)
First, Chinese Cinderella is set in Tianjin, China. Adeline’s family lived there until they moved to Shanghai. After spending most of her childhood at Shanghai, her parents decided to return Adeline to Tianjin and leave her there in a boarding house. Then Aunt Jeane decides to take Adeline to Hong Kong because her family, except Aunt Baba, Big Brother, Second Brother and Third Brother, had already moved there. She studies secondary school at Shanghai. When she has grown up her father, gives her the opportunity to study at a college in England.
3. Describe the main character in Chinese Cinderella. Include her personality traits. (6 marks)
Adeline Yen Mah has several main features in her personality. One area in which she excels is her academic life. She is a clever and hardworking as shown by her enthusiastic attitude towards her schoolwork and her work ethic towards all the tasks she is given. She often wins awards and come top of her class.
She is also a caring person because she has a strong bond with Aunt Baba and her Grandfather. She loves then dearly so this shows she has a loving heart even though she
Resilient -she is being badly treated but she doesn’t give up, persistent.
Brave- Shown when she has been put down by her family but doesn’t
Independent- Helps her
1. Why did the author call this story “Chinese Cinderella? (4 marks)
The author decided to name this novel Chinese Cinderella because it relates to the same storyline as the fairytale, Cinderella. The author led the same type of life as the main character of Cinderella- being an unwanted daughter, mistreated and unloved by her stepmother. As in the fairytale, she overcame the odds to prove her worth with a fulfilling life and good education. The story’s author, Adeline Yen Mah, was Chinese so she called it Chinese Cinderella which is alliterative so has a good sound for a title.
2. What is the setting of Chinese Cinderella? (2 marks)
First, Chinese Cinderella is set in Tianjin, China. Adeline’s family lived there until they moved to Shanghai. After spending most of her childhood at Shanghai, her parents decided to return Adeline to Tianjin and leave her there in a boarding house. Then Aunt Jeane decides to take Adeline to Hong Kong because her family, except Aunt Baba, Big Brother, Second Brother and Third Brother, had already moved there. She studies secondary school at Shanghai. When she has grown up her father, gives her the opportunity to study at a college in England.
3. Describe the main character in Chinese Cinderella. Include her personality traits. (6 marks)
Adeline Yen Mah has several main features in her personality. One area in which she excels is her academic life. She is a clever and hardworking as shown by her enthusiastic attitude towards her schoolwork and her work ethic towards all the tasks she is given. She often wins awards and come top of her class.
She is also a caring person because she has a strong bond with Aunt Baba and her Grandfather. She loves then dearly so this shows she has a loving heart even though she
Resilient -she is being badly treated but she doesn’t give up, persistent.
Brave- Shown when she has been put down by her family but doesn’t
Independent- Helps her