The Bone Sparrow Characters & Events

Questions and Answers

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?

All unwanted children.

Who is Niang?

Adeline's stepmother who despises her.

Who is Aunt Baba?

Adeline's aunt; her father's sister and caretaker of Adeline. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ye Ye?

Adeline's grandfather; her father's father. Signup and view all the answers

What is Big Sister's English name?

Lydia. Signup and view all the answers

What is Big Brother's English name?

Gregory. Signup and view all the answers

What is Second Brother's English name?

Edgar. Signup and view all the answers

What is Third Brother's English name?

James. Signup and view all the answers

What is Fourth Brother's English name?

Franklin. Signup and view all the answers

What is Little Sister's English name?

Susan. Signup and view all the answers

What is Adeline's Chinese name and her name inside the family?

Outside her family, she is called Yen Jun-Ling; inside her family, she is called Wu Mei or Wu Jie. Signup and view all the answers

What does Dia Dia and Da Jie mean?

Dia Dia = father; Da Jie = big sister. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Wu Chen-Mei?

Adeline's best friend at Sheng Xin (Sacred Heart) school in Shanghai. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Wu Chen-Mei's father and Adeline's?

Wu Chen-Mei's father is loving and caring; Adeline's father is neglecting, prideful, and arrogant. Signup and view all the answers

When WW2 ended, who was seen as the new conqueror and why?

America was seen as the new conqueror because many places were influenced by American culture. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Adeline entrapped to Wu Chen-Mei's 'The Little Princess' book?

Adeline felt connected to the book and believed she would be her own heroine. Signup and view all the answers

What does Adeline do to escape her horrible experiences with her family?

She reads books and writes stories to escape to an imaginary place. Signup and view all the answers

How does Adeline's imagination help her connect with her 'dead mama'?

She imagines her in a place above the clouds called 'paradise'. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Adeline closest with out of her siblings?

She is closest with Third Brother (James) because he is also the youngest. Signup and view all the answers

What do Adeline's brothers do to 'congratulate' her on her achievement?

Her brothers betray her to drink their urine, which they called 'orange juice'. Signup and view all the answers

What is PLT?

Adeline's little duckling; PLT is short for 'Precious Little Treasure'. Signup and view all the answers

How did PLT die?

PLT died because of Jackie's failure of her obedience test. Signup and view all the answers

How old was Big Sister when she got married?

She was married in an arranged marriage at 17 to Samuel Sung. Signup and view all the answers

What did Niang steal from Big Sister's wedding gifts?

She stole the best presents for herself, including a jade pendant. Signup and view all the answers

What happened at the birthday party Adeline had gone to?

She had to leave early for lunch and got into trouble when Wu Chun-Mei called her at home. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Adeline sent away to a boarding school in Tianjin?

Niang says Aunt Baba is an 'evil influence' and decides to take her back to Tianjin. Signup and view all the answers

Which dynasty was Nai Nai and Ye Ye born in?

Qing Dynasty. Signup and view all the answers

Who led the communists invading China?

Mao Ze-Dong. Signup and view all the answers

Why did people leave Tianjin to go southwards?

The Communists and the Japanese were invading Manchuria and into Tianjin. Signup and view all the answers

What does Father forget on the plane?

Father forgets Adeline's Chinese name and her birthday. Signup and view all the answers

What was Adeline's wish at St Joseph's?

To receive at least one letter addressed to her. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Adeline in danger in Tianjin?

The Communists believed in God, but Adeline had gone to a school run by nuns. Signup and view all the answers

Who came to pick up Adeline from Tianjin?

Aunt Reine Schilling (Niang's sister) came to pick Adeline up. Signup and view all the answers

How differently was Adeline treated with the Schillings compared to her own family?

The Schillings treated her as one of their own and did not look down on Adeline. Signup and view all the answers

Why were there no French signs in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong was occupied by the British and was British soil. Signup and view all the answers

How did Ye Ye change after the time Adeline was gone?

Ye Ye was a lot older, weaker and more vulnerable. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Ye Ye say that learning Chinese should be important to Adeline?

He says that people will always see her as a Chinese girl and must learn the language. Signup and view all the answers

Who stands up for Adeline and why?

Victor stands up to Niang for Adeline because she never comes with them on trips. Signup and view all the answers

What promise does Adeline make to Ye Ye?

She promises that things will only get better from now on. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Adeline happy at the end of Chapter 17?

Adeline is being sent to another boarding school and leaves her family. Signup and view all the answers

What did Adeline receive that she found skeptical?

She received an egg. Signup and view all the answers

What Shakespearean tragedy does Adeline feel connected to and why?

Adeline feels connected to King Lear as a reminder of her father and Ye Ye. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mrs. Tan think of Adeline when they meet?

Mrs. Tan's daughter tried to tease Adeline, but Mrs. Tan saw her as a role model. Signup and view all the answers

What does serendipity mean?

Finding something else while in search of another. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Adeline love to read?

It helps her escape to her imagination. Signup and view all the answers

Why will it be different for Adeline and Third Brother at home?

Third Brother will leave to England and leave Adeline alone. Signup and view all the answers

What does Adeline mean when she says Niang treats her 'like a leper'?

She means that Niang treats her as if she is disgusting. Signup and view all the answers

What advice does Ye Ye give Adeline and what does it mean?

'You can only vanquish the demons only when you yourself are convinced of your own self-worth.' Signup and view all the answers

What does Adeline do to repay Ye Ye and make him proud?

She works harder at school. Signup and view all the answers

How does Adeline view herself?

She sees herself as a nothing. Signup and view all the answers

When did Ye Ye die?

March, 1952. Signup and view all the answers

What did Niang tell Adeline after Ye Ye's funeral?

She announced that Adeline had to get a job and leave the house. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Aunt Baba compare Adeline to?

Aunt Baba compares Adeline to Ye Xian, the original Chinese Cinderella. Signup and view all the answers

What does Adeline enter and how?

Adeline entered an international play-writing competition where she wrote a play dedicated to Ye Ye. Signup and view all the answers

What does Adeline win?

She won first prize and £50. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Adeline sad when she found out she won the competition?

Ye Ye wasn't there to experience her achievement. Signup and view all the answers

What does her Father think of this?

Father was proud of her and allowed her to go to England to study. Signup and view all the answers

What will Adeline study in England?

Obstetrics. Signup and view all the answers

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.