Podcast
Questions and Answers
What year does the novel begin and how old was Adeline then?
What year does the novel begin and how old was Adeline then?
Adeline was 4 years old in 1941.
Who does Adeline dedicate her book to?
Who does Adeline dedicate her book to?
All unwanted children.
Who is Niang?
Who is Niang?
Adeline's stepmother who despises her.
Who is Aunt Baba?
Who is Aunt Baba?
Who is Ye Ye?
Who is Ye Ye?
What is Big Sister's English name?
What is Big Sister's English name?
What is Big Brother's English name?
What is Big Brother's English name?
What is Second Brother's English name?
What is Second Brother's English name?
What is Third Brother's English name?
What is Third Brother's English name?
What is Fourth Brother's English name?
What is Fourth Brother's English name?
What is Little Sister's English name?
What is Little Sister's English name?
What is Adeline's Chinese name and her name inside the family?
What is Adeline's Chinese name and her name inside the family?
What does Dia Dia and Da Jie mean?
What does Dia Dia and Da Jie mean?
Who is Wu Chen-Mei?
Who is Wu Chen-Mei?
What is the difference between Wu Chen-Mei's father and Adeline's?
What is the difference between Wu Chen-Mei's father and Adeline's?
When WW2 ended, who was seen as the new conqueror and why?
When WW2 ended, who was seen as the new conqueror and why?
Why was Adeline entrapped to Wu Chen-Mei's 'The Little Princess' book?
Why was Adeline entrapped to Wu Chen-Mei's 'The Little Princess' book?
What does Adeline do to escape her horrible experiences with her family?
What does Adeline do to escape her horrible experiences with her family?
How does Adeline's imagination help her connect with her 'dead mama'?
How does Adeline's imagination help her connect with her 'dead mama'?
Who is Adeline closest with out of her siblings?
Who is Adeline closest with out of her siblings?
What do Adeline's brothers do to 'congratulate' her on her achievement?
What do Adeline's brothers do to 'congratulate' her on her achievement?
What is PLT?
What is PLT?
How did PLT die?
How did PLT die?
How old was Big Sister when she got married?
How old was Big Sister when she got married?
What did Niang steal from Big Sister's wedding gifts?
What did Niang steal from Big Sister's wedding gifts?
What happened at the birthday party Adeline had gone to?
What happened at the birthday party Adeline had gone to?
Why was Adeline sent away to a boarding school in Tianjin?
Why was Adeline sent away to a boarding school in Tianjin?
Which dynasty was Nai Nai and Ye Ye born in?
Which dynasty was Nai Nai and Ye Ye born in?
Who led the communists invading China?
Who led the communists invading China?
Why did people leave Tianjin to go southwards?
Why did people leave Tianjin to go southwards?
What does Father forget on the plane?
What does Father forget on the plane?
What was Adeline's wish at St Joseph's?
What was Adeline's wish at St Joseph's?
Why was Adeline in danger in Tianjin?
Why was Adeline in danger in Tianjin?
Who came to pick up Adeline from Tianjin?
Who came to pick up Adeline from Tianjin?
How differently was Adeline treated with the Schillings compared to her own family?
How differently was Adeline treated with the Schillings compared to her own family?
Why were there no French signs in Hong Kong?
Why were there no French signs in Hong Kong?
How did Ye Ye change after the time Adeline was gone?
How did Ye Ye change after the time Adeline was gone?
Why does Ye Ye say that learning Chinese should be important to Adeline?
Why does Ye Ye say that learning Chinese should be important to Adeline?
Who stands up for Adeline and why?
Who stands up for Adeline and why?
What promise does Adeline make to Ye Ye?
What promise does Adeline make to Ye Ye?
Why is Adeline happy at the end of Chapter 17?
Why is Adeline happy at the end of Chapter 17?
What did Adeline receive that she found skeptical?
What did Adeline receive that she found skeptical?
What Shakespearean tragedy does Adeline feel connected to and why?
What Shakespearean tragedy does Adeline feel connected to and why?
What does Mrs. Tan think of Adeline when they meet?
What does Mrs. Tan think of Adeline when they meet?
What does serendipity mean?
What does serendipity mean?
Why does Adeline love to read?
Why does Adeline love to read?
Why will it be different for Adeline and Third Brother at home?
Why will it be different for Adeline and Third Brother at home?
What does Adeline mean when she says Niang treats her 'like a leper'?
What does Adeline mean when she says Niang treats her 'like a leper'?
What advice does Ye Ye give Adeline and what does it mean?
What advice does Ye Ye give Adeline and what does it mean?
What does Adeline do to repay Ye Ye and make him proud?
What does Adeline do to repay Ye Ye and make him proud?
How does Adeline view herself?
How does Adeline view herself?
When did Ye Ye die?
When did Ye Ye die?
What did Niang tell Adeline after Ye Ye's funeral?
What did Niang tell Adeline after Ye Ye's funeral?
Who does Aunt Baba compare Adeline to?
Who does Aunt Baba compare Adeline to?
What does Adeline enter and how?
What does Adeline enter and how?
What does Adeline win?
What does Adeline win?
Why was Adeline sad when she found out she won the competition?
Why was Adeline sad when she found out she won the competition?
What does her Father think of this?
What does her Father think of this?
What will Adeline study in England?
What will Adeline study in England?
Study Notes
Key Characters
- Adeline: Protagonist; feels unwanted and unloved by her family.
- Niang: Adeline's cruel stepmother who mistreats her.
- Aunt Baba: Adeline's aunt and caretaker, supportive in her life.
- Ye Ye: Adeline's grandfather, represents warmth and wisdom.
- Third Brother (James): Closest sibling to Adeline, shares a bond due to youth.
Significant Events
- 1941: The story begins when Adeline is 4 years old.
- Adeline’s dedication: She dedicates her book to all unwanted children, signifying her connection to their struggles.
- Adeline's imagination: She escapes her harsh reality through reading and writing, dreaming of a heroine-like life.
Family Dynamics
- Sibling names: Adeline’s siblings have English names: Lydia (Big Sister), Gregory (Big Brother), Edgar (Second Brother), James (Third Brother), Franklin (Fourth Brother), Susan (Little Sister).
- Family nicknames: Adeline is called Wu Mei or Wu Jie by siblings, Yen Jun-Ling outside the family.
Cultural Context
- Historical backdrop: The novel's events unfold during the impact of WWII and the rise of American culture post-war.
- Communist threat: Many people flee Tianjin to escape the violent influence of Japanese and Communist forces.
Adeline's Experiences
- Life in boarding school: Adeline is sent away because Niang views Aunt Baba as an evil influence, highlighting familial betrayal.
- Loss of PLT: Adeline's beloved duckling dies as a result of a cruel test, symbolizing her ongoing suffering.
- Ye Ye's wisdom: Adeline learns the importance of self-worth, reflecting her journey towards resilience.
Achievements and Struggles
- International competition: Adeline wins first prize in a playwriting competition, reflecting her talent and perseverance.
- Father's pride: Upon her success, Adeline's father finally shows pride, allowing her the opportunity to study in England, a significant turning point for her.
- Ye Ye's death: Ye Ye's passing leaves a profound void in Adeline's life, accentuating her loneliness despite her achievements.
Final Thoughts
- Connection with literature: Adeline finds solace and strength through reading, identifying with stories that mirror her struggles.
- Self-perception: Despite her accomplishments, Adeline grapples with feelings of worthlessness, raising questions about identity and value within familial and societal contexts.
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Description
Explore the key characters and significant events from 'The Bone Sparrow.' This quiz delves into the complex family dynamics and the imagination of the protagonist, Adeline. Discover how each character impacts her journey of feeling unwanted and unloved.
