From Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah, From Chinese Cinderella essay, From Chinese Cinderella Summary, From Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah essay

From Chinese Cinderella Short Essay

Introduction: 

          From Chinese Cinderella is an extract from Adeline Yen Mah's autobiography. It tells the story of Adeline, a young girl who grew up in a wealthy family in 1950s Hong Kong but was unloved by her stepmother and siblings. This part of the book tells how Adeline was suddenly called home from school and learned some surprising news.

Adeline’s Sudden Return Home:

          Adeline was at school playing a game when she was informed that the family driver had come to take her home. She felt nervous and worried, thinking something bad had happened. When she arrived, she realized her family had moved to a new house, and she was told to meet her father.

A Moment of Pride:

          Adeline’s father, who usually ignored her, looked happy. He showed her a newspaper article announcing that she had won first prize  in the international Play-writing competition. For the first time, he was proud of her, and Adeline felt valued.

A Difficult Choice:

          Adeline asked to study literature in England, but her father refused and decided she would study medicine instead. Though it was not her dream, she agreed because going to England was very important to her.

Conclusion:

Adeline’s unexpected success brought her a rare moment of happiness and recognition from her father. This moment gave her hope and showed her that she was capable of achieving great things, even in difficult circumstances.

From Chinese Cinderella detailed Essay 

Introduction:

           Adeline Yen Mah, despite growing up in a wealthy family in 1950s Hong Kong, faced a difficult childhood due to her stepmother's rejection and her siblings didn't like her. This excerpt from her autobiography recounts a rare visit home from boarding school and the unexpected turn of events that followed.

Adeline's Time at Boarding School:

          Adeline was sent away to live at a boarding school. It was Saturday at school, and she only had eight weeks left before the end of the term. She might never go back to school after that. Adeline was playing a game called Monopoly, but she wasn’t paying attention and kept losing. The weather was hot and windy, and the radio said there might be a strong storm the next day. Now Adeline threw the dice and lost in the thought of leaving school. 

The Family Driver Arrives to Take Adeline Home:

          One of her friends called her name and  told Adeline that mother Valentino was calling her. Adeline’s friend Mary didn’t want her to leave because she was finally winning the game. Mary told Adeline that she landed on her property and demand thirty five dollars. Mother Valentino came there and informed that their family driver was there to take her home.

         Adeline felt very nervous and scared, as if something bad had happened. She wondered if someone in her family had passed away. The driver said everyone was fine, but Adeline didn't understand why she had to go home. Adeline asked the driver why she was being taken home. The driver said he didn’t know why, as he was just following orders. Adeline felt scared and worried and thought did she did something wrong on the way home.

Adeline’s Arrival:

          The car stopped at a beautiful house. Adeline didn't recognize it. Adeline asked where they were. The driver was rude and told her it was her new home. Her family had moved there a few months ago, but she had forgotten. The house was quiet. When Adeline asked where her family was, the servant said her stepmother was out playing bridge (a card game). The servant explained that her siblings were sunbathing by the swimming-pool, and her father wanted to see her in his room. 

A Surprising and Welcoming Invitation:

          Adeline felt nervous because she was never been invited to go into her father's room before. Adeline knocked on the door nervously. Adeline's father was in his room,  reading the newspaper, and he looked happy. Adeline felt relieved but also a little scared. Her father invited her to sit down in a friendly way. Her father showed her the newspaper. Adeline saw her name written in capital letters. (ADELINE YEN) 

Adeline’s Achievement and Recognition:

          The newspaper said that, a 14 years old, ADELINE JUN-LING YEN of Sacred Heart Canossian School, Caine Road, Hong Kong, had won first prize  in the international Play-writing competition in London, England, for the 1951-52 school year. She was the first Chinese student from Hong Kong to win. She will receive a medal and a cash reward of fifty English pounds. The newspaper congratulates her for bringing honour to Hong Kong. She was shocked and couldn't believe it was true.  

A Proud Moment for Adeline's Father:

          Adeline's father was very happy and proud of her. Adeline's father told her that earlier that morning, he had been in the lift with his friend C.Y. Tung, who showed him an article and asked if the winner, Adeline Jun-Ling Yen, was related to him since they shared the same uncommon last name. He mentioned that C.Y., who also had children around her age, noted that none of them had won an international literary prize. Adeline's father added that he had been pleased to tell C.Y. that she was his daughter and congratulated her. For once, Adeline felt that her father was proud of her, especially because she had brought him respect in front of his esteemed colleague. Adeline felt very happy and excited. 

Adeline's Father Asks About Her Victory:

           Adeline's father asked her how she won the competition. Adeline explained that the rules and regulations for the competition were extremely complex and difficult to understand. She said that participating required a lot of dedication just to figure out what the organizers were asking for. Jokingly, she suggested that maybe she was the only person determined enough to enter the competition, and perhaps there were no other competitors at all. Her father laughed and said that was a good answer.

Adeline’s Request to Study in England:

          Adeline asked her father if she could go to university in England like her brothers. Her father said she was smart, talented and asked her what she wanted to study. Adeline said she wanted to study literature and become a writer. Adeline's father questioned her choice of becoming a writer by asking what language she planned to write in and who would read her work. He pointed out that although she might believe she was skilled in both Chinese and English, her Chinese was quite basic. He also remarked that native English speakers would likely write better than her, implying that writing might not be a practical career choice for her. Her father laughed at the idea of her becoming a writer, saying she wouldn’t make enough money. Adeline didn't argue with him. For her going to England is like entering heaven. 

Father's Decision for Adeline's Future:

          Adeline's father told her that she would go to England with her Third Brother that summer and attend medical school. He decided that after graduating, she would specialize in obstetrics, explaining that women would always need doctors to deliver their babies and that women patients preferred women doctors. He emphasized that this was a secure and practical profession, asking for her agreement. Adeline readily agreed, knowing he had already made up his mind. She felt that as long as he allowed her to go to university in England, she was willing to study anything he wanted. Reflecting on a line from Wordsworth's poem, "Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive", she thought how wonderful it felt to be alive at that moment. She then assured her father that she would go to medical school in England and become a doctor, thanking him sincerely for the opportunity.

Conclusion:

           Adeline's unexpected victory in an international writing competition brought a rare moment of pride and a glimmer of hope. Despite her father's initial disapproval of her literary aspirations, forced to pursue medicine, the experience instilled in her a sense of possibility and the courage to dream, even against her father's wishes.

Themes:

Family Expectations

Childhood Struggles

Parental Control and Authority

Academic Achievement

Gender Roles and Career Choices

Resilience and Determination

Love and Rejection

Identity and Self-Discovery

Dreams vs. Reality

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