Created by Sarah Holmes
about 9 years ago
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Question | Answer |
'Didn't you hear me?' (Ma-Mien Valentino) 'Don't you know anything' (Chauffeur) 'How come you won?' (Father) 'Don't you think the native English speakers can write better than you? (Father) 'Don't you agree?' (Father) | Questions are used by adults in the text to make Yen Mah look foolish. They convey contempt for her. The final question from father is rhetorical and is asked as a test to see if she will contradict him. He doesn't want or expect an answer just her compliance with his wishes. |
'Study? I thought. Going to England is like entering heaven. Does it matter what you do after you get to heaven?' | This is Yen Mah's initial response to her father's offer to send her to study in England. These are her thoughts and not spoken aloud. Here the questions show her disbelief at the offer connoting that she is usually disregarded and treated badly |
'Father, I shall go to medical school in England and become a doctor. Thank you very very much' | The language is formal here with the modal verb 'shall' being used along with the formal title 'Father'. It reminds us of the phrase in the original Cinderella story, "you shall go to the ball Cinderella!' The formality reflects a number of things: 1)The typical way in which Chinese people use English. 2) The formal, distanced relationship between Yen mah and her father. 3) The time period at which this conversation took place. |
Overwhelmed Timidly I asked boldly a giant lurch waited in silence | Contrasting verbs used to express the emotional turbulence of Yen Mah's relationship with her father |
My whole being vibrated with all the joy of the world. I only had to stretch out my hand to reach the stars Going to England is like entering Heaven | Metaphors and similes used to convey the extent of her joy at being allowed to study in England |
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