chinese cinderella

Question 1

Time went by relentlessly

Answer 1

Foregrounding of time - imply that author is paying particular attention to it and in this case because she values her education and does not want school to end

Question 2

Again

Answer 2

Depress and wistful tone

Question 3

Eight weeks more

Answer 3

Reinforces that time is going to fast for her preference
Countdown, shows concern for event that is about to happen in the case the end of school

Question 3

.. in my case

Answer 3

Cesura to show despair at upcoming event

Question 3

perhaps the end of school forever

Answer 3

Sense of despair that is conveyed through the tone, foreboding creates tension

Question 4

My heart was not in it

Answer 4

The thought of leaving school in eight weeks is affecting her present state

Question 4

Possible typhoon

Answer 4

Pathetic fallacy- weather reflecting her present emotional state

Question 5

Thought of leaving school throbbed at the back of my mind like a persistent toothache

Answer 5

Despair at problem has become physical pain that is constantly haunting her. Metaphor- pain is almost physical

Question 5

‘Adeline, didn’t you hear me call you? Hurry up downstairs! Your chauffeur is waiting to take you home

Answer 5

Tension is created, unexpected interruption, emphasised by the punctuation

Question 6

Full of foreboding

Answer 6

All thoughts related to home are immediately negativity

Question 7

Wondering who had died this time

Answer 7

I close relationship, chauffeur is sent to pick her up not family. Chauffeur is more aware of the family situation than she is

Question 8

‘How should I know?’ he answered defensively, shrugging his shoulders. ‘Your guess is as good as mine. They give the orders and I carry them out.’

Answer 8

Cold, emotionless relationship, short sentences, uncaring/offended tone foreshadows relationship with father. But a,so good ex,apple of the traditional roles and shows the hierarchy of power and control within the household. Chauffeur is nearly given instructions and told to carry them out.

Question 9

Short drive home

Answer 9

Short drive yet her family didn’t come to pick her up

Question 10

My heart was full of dread

Answer 10

Dread at going home instead of the usual excitement

Question 11

I wondered what I had done wrong

Answer 11

Dread at going instead of the usual excitement

Question 12

‘Where are we?’ I asked foolishly

Answer 12

Distant relationship, is not even aware of her family moving homes, not informed of any of these things

Question 13

‘Where is everyone?’

Answer 13

No one had even bothered to come out to greet her even though they didn’t pick her up from boarding school. Instead, the maid is there to welcome her.

Question 13

Mother is out playing bridge. Your two brothers and Little Sister are sunbathing by the swimming pool

Answer 13

Everyone is doing solitary activities, no family bonding. Even though none of them are busy, they still didn’t pick her up

Question 13

Quiet and cool

Answer 13

Atmosphere of the house foreshadows the poor relationship within the family, cool not warm and quiet which suggests isolations and distance within the family

Question 14

Overwhelmed by the thought

Answer 14

Shows the degrees of distance between the father and daughter. Daughter entering father’s room is an overwhelming thought; something that should occur on a daily basis

Question 15

Summoned

Answer 15

Formal tone- once again shows distant relationship as well as traditional family roles, father and daughter not close

Question 16

Holy of Holies

Answer 16

Scared place and she is in awe which implies she has never entered his room. Reference to bible- Jewish temple

Question 17

Why?…

Answer 17

Use of short sentences, question mark and caesura to show build up of tension

Question 18

timidly, i knocked… looking relaxed in his slippers and bathrobe’
‘ is this a giant ruse ..’ ‘dare i let my guard down’

Answer 18

creates suspence as we dont know whats making him so relaxed, it also juxtaposed how she timidly knocked, clearly showing some sort of power dynamic.. she dosent trust him so its clear that this situation may have happened before

Question 19

here take a look at this... we both knowe, i think' he handed me the days newspapers and there in one corner, i saw my name...'

Answer 19

the writer creates even more suspense by delaying the information her father has shown her. 'look at this' long sentence with clauses delays the news

Question 20

has won first prize... first time any local chinese student from hong kong has won such a prestigious event we are proud of you is it possible? am i dreaming? me, the winner?

Answer 20

third party persepctive who is recognising her successes, creates an opportunity for her father to see her true atrib9utes strangers are also proud of her so inevitably her father should be too. the tricolon of rhetorical questions emphasizes her doubt in herself showing us that when she was growing up predominantly her parents criticized her knowledge

Question 21

is the winner adeline jun ling yen related to you? now c.y. himself has a few children about your age but none of them have won a international literary prize i was quite pleased to tell him you are my daughter. well done

Answer 21

this is sad as his friend dosent even know that he had a daughter which is somthing you would inevitably eventually tell your friend. he also hears the fact she won a prize from him as well showing how hes clearly not intereseted in his own daughters life he compares his children with his friends as if its a competition and completely disregards how it must feel for her. he uses her as a reason to boast his ego further. i was quite pleased to tell him you are my daughter -past tense maybe hes not now?

Question 22

for once, he was proud of me

Answer 22

only once and at the time she was 14 years old. this shows how her achievements have clearly been unseen

Question 23

tell me, how did you do it? 'how come you won'

Answer 23

italics in (you) emphasises the disbelief hes always had in her which is probably why she even doubts herslef. its clear he dosent belive in her. italics in you almost belittles her as if she could never have done something like this. hes wondering if she cheated perhaps

Question 24

writer he scoffed, youre going to starve, whos going to read your writing..you may think youre an expert but... youre chinise is actually rather elementary... dont you think native english peakers can write better

Answer 24

hes taking he new found confidence she gained rokm winning her competition and trampling on it as if he dosent want to see her happy. he casts another shadow of doubt over her dont you think- modal imperative- wnats her to think taht shes not as good

Question 25

you will.. you will. you will.. dont you agree?

Answer 25

reptiton of you will shows how shes not in control of her life and she has to do what her father says otherwise she contraditcs him

Question 26

father, i shall go to medical school in england and become a doctor. thank you very, very much.

Answer 26

irony, use of noun father also suggests detachment