Themes

Question 1

Everyone laughed, including Mother Marie, “and if you had one wish granted, what would it be?”

“To receive a letter addressed to me. Just one letter, from anyone.”

Answer 1

Abandonment and loneliness.
Adeline wants to feel loved. She dreams big that one day her family members would eventually acknowledge her, especially when she’s not living under the same house during that time period.

Question 2

“I was such a nobody, that he didn’t even remember my name.”

Answer 2

Self-esteem.
After being the cause of her mother’s death, Adeline was regarded in disgust and ignored by her father. Pretty much forgotten.

Question 3

“I took the duckling to my heart…it comforted me to know I was needed.”

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Answer 3

Abandonment and loneliness.
Adeline took PLT as the only thing that looks up to her as if it depends on her. It relies on her for its life and that’s what Adeline has ever dreamed of. She loves to know she’s needed.

Question 4

In no time at all big sister went over to the other side. I knew Niang loathed me and despised my aunt.

Answer 4

Family and relationships.
Niang relates to Adeline and Aunt Baba as one person.
Equally unimportant.

Question 5

No way will I ever allow myself to be the object of anyone’s charity or pity.

Answer 5

Self-esteem.
She believes people feeling sorry for her won’t change anything she’s going through. She feels intimidated by people’s thoughts.

Question 6

Together, we watched the car drive off. I was overwhelmed by his chivalry, but could find no words sufficient to express my gratitude.

Answer 6

Abandonment and loneliness.
Adeline was used to the hate people gave towards her. She was surprised and found it amazing how one can stand up for such a nobody like her.

Question 7

I was looking uglier and uglier as I grew older and taller.

Answer 7

Self-esteem.

Niang’s opinions have overwhelmed Adeline, that she starts to believe and say negative thoughts like that regularly.

Question 8

I was overjoyed! Not only had Niang finally acknowledged me, she had given me a task to peform!

Answer 8

Family and relationships.

Adeline was amazed that Niang, someone who despised her most, gave credit to her.

Question 9

They made me feel like I was their third child.

Answer 9

Self-esteem.
She never felt like she belonged or welcomed in her family. However, the Schilling family loved her and enjoyed her company.

Question 10

As soon as I heard Aunt Baba’s footsteps, I started feeling better immediately.

Answer 10

Abandonment and loneliness.
Aunt Baba is the only person in the world who understands and has experienced what Adeline has gone through. Together they grow to be strong as one.

Question 11

Nothing will ever come to you…you don’t belong in this house.

Answer 11

Abandonment and loneliness.

Adeline is still continued to be regarded as a mistake and will always be.

Question 12

Now they knew the pathetic truth! Unwanted and unloved by my parents! How long did it take for a person to die of shame?

Answer 12

Abandonment and loneliness.
She was afraid if her friends knew how poorly she was treated behind the scenes, their positive thoughts/impressions towards her would come to a halt.

Question 13

One by one they were greeted and led away by their anxious mothers. Nobody came for me.

Answer 13

Abandonment and loneliness.

No one thinks for Adeline, cares where she is or what she does. Adeline is left to fend for herself at a very young age.

Question 14

Continue studying hard and bringing honour to the Yen family name so we can be proud of you.

Answer 14

Family and relationships.

Not that her father cares about anything else. Not that her existence really matters to them.

Question 15

We merely want you to acknowledge your errors in the past… We’ll only give you the tram fares if you are truly contrite.

Answer 15

Family and relationships.
The children shouldn’t have to be responsible for their own money, they were still quite young. Niang and Father should be providing their children with support.

Question 16

The thought of being separated from my aunt filled me with dread.

Answer 16

Family and relationships. Aunt Baba was the only person who treated her as though she went through the same when she was her age. Without her, Adeline is scared she’ll lose confidence.

Question 17

I imagined Niang introducing me to a strange man and ordering me to marry him. The thought filled me with horror and fear.

Answer 17

Self esteem. The thought of being forced to marry a man 20 years older than she is, with lots of money, is intimidating for Adeline. She wants to be attracted to the man by love, not force nor money related.

Question 18

I only took yours because you’re the only one least likely to give me trouble afterwards.

Answer 18

Family and relationships. Adeline has no say in what happens or who does what. She will always suffer the consequences unlike her siblings.

Question 19

What was it that bothered me…it was the loss of the nicest parts of third brother that saddened me.

Answer 19

Family and relationships. Third brother doesn’t want to be regarded as a joke for hanging out with Adeline, even if he cares for her.

Question 20

To her we are not separate people. Over here, we have become one single unit known as ‘all of you’.

Answer 20

Family and relationships. In the Chinese culture back then, it was disrespectful to not call a person by their individual name. However, they weren’t Niang’s children. They were pests to her.

Question 21

If you had not been born, mama would still be alive. She died because of you. You are bad luck.

Answer 21

Self esteem. Adeline is constantly reminded that her treatment of her and her siblings is her fault. (Despite that not being true).

Question 22

What’s going to happen to me? Will I be sold?

Answer 22

Abandonment and loneliness. Adeline wonders what her fate would be when she is punished for her friends visiting her. She is constantly afraid of being made an orphan.

Question 23

I’m nothing, less than nothing. A piece of garbage to be thrown out.

Answer 23

Self esteem. Adeline’s mothers death caused her family to look down on her every day.

Question 24

Into her lips, I injected my loneliness, isolation and feelings of being unwanted. To my heroine, I gave everything of myself.

Answer 24

Abandonment and loneliness. Adeline allows her emotions fly without being caught in the act of coming from an unloving family. She could say she simply made it dramatic.

Question 25

They didn’t know that, in front of them, I was desperate to keep up the pretence that I came from from a normal, loving family.

Answer 25

Family and relationships. Adeline is unhappy with her family life, but does not tell anyone out of embarrassment.

Question 26

It all stems from mama dying when you were born…things were much nicer when she was alive. You made her go away.

Answer 26

Self esteem. They blame her existence as the cause of their mother’s death. That’s all they see of her.

Question 27

…does he truly hate me or is he just going along with her because he loves her more and wants a peaceful life.

Answer 27

Family and relationships. Adeline is puzzled whether her father blames her for the past or whether trying to make Niang happy.

Question 28

The thought of being separated from my aunt filled me with dread.

Answer 28

Family and relationships. Aunt Baba was the only person who treated her as though she went through the same when she was her age. Without her, Adeline is scared she’ll lose confidence.

Question 29

I imagined Niang introducing me to a strange man and ordering me to marry him. The thought filled me with horror and fear.

Answer 29

Self esteem. The thought of being forced to marry a man 20 years older than she is, with lots of money, is intimidating for Adeline. She wants to be attracted to the man by love, not force nor money related.

Question 30

I only took yours because you’re the only one least likely to give me trouble afterwards.

Answer 30

Family and relationships. Adeline has no say in what happens or who does what. She will always suffer the consequences unlike her siblings.

Question 31

What was it that bothered me…it was the loss of the nicest parts of third brother that saddened me.

Answer 31

Family and relationships. Third brother doesn’t want to be regarded as a joke for hanging out with Adeline, even if he cares for her.

Question 32

To her we are not separate people. Over here, we have become one single unit known as ‘all of you’.

Answer 32

Family and relationships. In the Chinese culture back then, it was disrespectful to not call a person by their individual name. However, they weren’t Niang’s children. They were pests to her.

Question 33

If you had not been born, mama would still be alive. She died because of you. You are bad luck.

Answer 33

Self esteem. Adeline is constantly reminded that her treatment of her and her siblings is her fault. (Despite that not being true).

Question 34

What’s going to happen to me? Will I be sold?

Answer 34

Abandonment and loneliness. Adeline wonders what her fate would be when she is punished for her friends visiting her. She is constantly afraid of being made an orphan.

Question 35

I’m nothing, less than nothing. A piece of garbage to eb thrown out.

Answer 35

Self esteem. Adeline’s mothers death caused her family to look down on her every day.

Question 36

Into her lips, I injected my loneliness, isolation and feelings of being unwanted. To my heroine, I gave everything of myself.

Answer 36

Abandonment and loneliness. Adeline allows her emotions fly without being caught in the act of coming from an unloving family. She could say she simply made it dramatic.

Question 37

The thought of being separated from my aunt filled me with dread.

Answer 37

Family and relationships. Aunt Baba was the only person who treated her as though she went through the same when she was her age. Without her, Adeline is scared she’ll lose confidence.

Question 38

I imagined Niang introducing me to a strange man and ordering me to marry him. The thought filled me with horror and fear.

Answer 38

Self esteem. The thought of being forced to marry a man 20 years older than she is, with lots of money, is intimidating for Adeline. She wants to be attracted to the man by love, not force nor money related.

Question 39

I only took yours because you’re the only one least likely to give me trouble afterwards.

Answer 39

Family and relationships. Adeline has no say in what happens or who does what. She will always suffer the consequences unlike her siblings.

Question 40

What was it that bothered me…it was the loss of the nicest parts of third brother that saddened me.

Answer 40

Family and relationships. Third brother doesn’t want to be regarded as a joke for hanging out with Adeline, even if he cares for her.

Question 41

To her we are not separate people. Over here, we have become one single unit known as ‘all of you’.

Answer 41

Family and relationships. In the Chinese culture back then, it was disrespectful to not call a person by their individual name. However, they weren’t Niang’s children. They were pests to her.

Question 42

If you had not been born, mama would still be alive. She died because of you. You are bad luck.

Answer 42

Self esteem. Adeline is constantly reminded that her treatment of her and her siblings is her fault. (Despite that not being true).

Question 43

What’s going to happen to me? Will I be sold?

Answer 43

Abandonment and loneliness. Adeline wonders what her fate would be when she is punished for her friends visiting her. She is constantly afraid of being made an orphan.

Question 44

I’m nothing, less than nothing. A piece of garbage to eb thrown out.

Answer 44

Self esteem. Adeline’s mothers death caused her family to look down on her every day.

Question 45

Into her lips, I injected my loneliness, isolation and feelings of being unwanted. To my heroine, I gave everything of myself.

Answer 45

Abandonment and loneliness. Adeline allows her emotions fly without being caught in the act of coming from an unloving family. She could say she simply made it dramatic.