From Chinese Cinderella Flashcards
“Time went by relentlessly”
Implies that she does not want her school to end and that her school life is better than her home life. Reader questions why. Adverb, doesn’t want time to go by quickly, connotations that she’d like it to be stopped
“Outside it was not and there was a warm wind blowing. The radio warned of a possible typhoon the next day”
Pathetic fallacy. Adds tensions as it foregrounds that there is a storm coming. Also a symbol of chance
“Leaving school throbbed at the back of my mind like a persistent toothache”
Use of a simile compares the thought of leaving school to a persistent nagging pain to emphasise how much she hates the idea of leaving school and how that idea will not go away. Has been damaged by her family rejecting her
“Adeline”
Use of direct speech gives reader the feeling as if the events are unfolding right now.
“Chauffeur is waiting to take you home”
This shows that she comes from a very rich family. Emphasised later on through the description of the house as an “elegant villa…halfway up the hill between the peak and harbour.”
“Full of foreboding, I ran downstairs as in a nightmare, wondering who had died this time.”
description of her emotions is placed at the start of the sentence so that there is emphasis on her anticipation that something bad will happen is stronger.
Alliteration of ‘f’ sounds is striking and draws attention to the phrase
sentence is broken up by commas, illustrating the movement of her running down the stairs and also the racing of her thoughts in her mind
Exaggerates her isolation as she only gets contacted by her family if sake thing bad happens
Worried, adverbial clause, adds more info
“Then why are you taking me home?”
Use of lots of questions shows her insecurity and wariness of the situation.
“They give me the orders and I carry them out”
Rude and defensive nature of the chauffeur
The reference to the family as “they” excludes Adeline from the family and suggests that they have an equally low status as each other and are at the same position on the family hierarchy. Unprecursed pronoun, exophoric reference plural pronoun, she’s not included
“I wondered what I had done wrong”
Her assumption that she has done something wrong implies that this is often the case and the only other reason, apart from dead family members, that she is ever summoned. Her paranoia also shows her fearful state.
“Where are we?”
Reiterates that her relationship with her family is not strong as she does not recognise her own house.
“and it was Saturday again”
Contrast with the normal view of Saturdays being a good thing. Sets a sad tone
“Father’s chauffeur assured me everyone was healthy”
Bad family relationship as the chauffeur knows more about the family’s wellbeing than she does.
“I had forgotten.”
Implies that she does not really care or she is trying to stop herself from getting embarrassed.
“it was quiet and cool”
““Where is everyone?””
Contrasts with a typical return from boarding school as no one is there to greet her.
“Mother is out playing bridge. Your two brothers and little sister are sunbathing by the swimming pool”
They are all treated very luxuriously which contrast with her situation.
“Summoned by Father”
“summoned” as connotations of formality and implies that her father is very powerful and superior to her. The capitalisation of the word father indicated that he is authoritative and she respects and is intimidated by him. Shows difference in status, only used in unequal relationships
“in my case perhaps the end of school forever”
Short introductory paragraph to entice the reader.
Ambiguous sentence at the end to hook the reader, leaves reader wondering why she would not be going back to school
“Holy of holies”
Sacred place and she is in awe implying that she had never been there before. Reference to bible-Jewish table
“Timidly, I knocked on the door”
Timidly creates apprehension and tension. Has to knock on door instead of just entering shows respect and also the degree of separation between them. Also shows typical family roles, and the respect that she has for her parents.
“Saw he was in a happy mood”
Attention and sensitivity to detail shows how she is afraid and looking for signs to know why she has been called there. Also implies that their relationship is not good.
“Is this a giant fuse on his part to trick me? Dare I let my guard down?
Shows she is normally defensive when she is at home, mistrust within the relationship, she is not at ease around her family. Rhetorical questions build up tension.
“For bringing honour to Hong Kong. We are proud of you.”
She has a duty to her family, school and country. Shows the importance of honour and “face”. Her participation in the competition shows the importance of school to her.
“Is it possible? Am I dreaming? Me, the winner?”
Winning this competition is her equivalent of a fairy god mother, it is her opportunity to go to school and to be away from home. Her joy and excitement at winning this also creates pathos as it implies how much she dreads being home and how desperately she wants to get away from her family. Rhetorical questions are used to express her disbelief at the possibility of winning. There is a sharp transition from tension to excitement. Also shows her isolation as she had not informed her family about her participation in this event.
