The Significance of Family in 'Chinese Cinderella' Anonymous 8th Grade

Chinese Cinderella is a memoir by Adeline Yen Mah of her life as an unwanted child and as a rising entrepreneur during the transformation of Chinese society while it was under Japanese and French rule. Adeline’s wealthy and influential family regards her as bad luck after her mother dies of a fever following Adeline’s birth. Unfortunately, her life does not improve even after her father re-marries. The step-mother Niang treats Adeline and her siblings terribly, while also spoiling her children. This autobiography shows the readers how once someone has taken control of a family, she will be in charge for a long time; that whenever people have someone who cares about them, they will feel much better; and that whatever is done to them will affect them for the rest of their lives.

This story tells us of a household initially controlled by Father, along with Ye Ye and Nai Nai, who later become cowed by Niang, as shown through imagery: “The room was completely still. The only sound I heard was that of Ye Ye chomping on his apple. Surely he was going to say something to put Niang in her place!” With the shift of power in the household, Niang proceeds to obstruct Adeline’s future, especially after her confrontation with little sister....