Chapter 4

5 Comments

1. Adeline's family was very wealthy, they had more money than anyone else.
2. Joseph later found a new wife who is half French and half Chinese.
3. Everyone in the family calls Joseph's new wife Niang.
4. Joseph was widowed after the death of his wife died giving birth to Adeline.
5. The family was not bothered by Joseph's new marriage but the marriage created a distance from the rest of the family.

4 Questions

1. Why did Joseph marry Jeanne Virginie Propsperi and not someone else?
2. Even though the family was not bothered by the marriage, how did they really feel about the marriage?
3. Why were the children not able to keep their Chinese name?
4. Is Niang going to be taking over the entire family...make things under her rules?

3 Vocabulary

1. Surrogate - substitute
2. Exquisite - a special beauty or charm
3. Consulate - the position

2 Literary Terms

1. " I think Niang was happy at first" - Irony
2. " Ye Ye voiced his objection" - Irony

1 Overview

This chapter is about what was happening after Joseph married Jeanne.


Chapter 3

5 Comments

1. Aunt Baba was considered a wealthy young girl in the late 1920s of Shanghai.
2. Shanghai became more modern with huge department buildings, fashion, and Hollywood movies.
3. Restaurant waiters adopted the style of wealthy whites by wearing a tuxedo.
4. Jun - Pei was born with a paralyzed right arm.
5. Aunt Baba's best friend Miss Ren married a guy name Joseph.

4 Questions

1. Why were the other girls in Shanghai not considered rich?
2. Did all waiters in Shanghai wore tuxedos?
3. Is it still intimidating to people if people in Shanghai wear tuxedos now?
4. Why did Adeline's mom died after giving birth to her?

3 Vocabulary

1. Forceps - an instrument, as pincers or tongs, for seizing and holding objects, as in surgical operations.
2. Obstetrician - a physician who specializes in obstetrics
3. Penicillin - any of several antibiotics of low toxicity

2 Literary Terms

1. "A dark cloud hung over the entire family" - Metaphor (page 23)
2. "Her condition worsened" - Foreshadow (page 23 showed that something bad will happen to the mom soon)

1 Overview

This chapter is about what is happening during the late 1920s in Shanghai, Joseph meeting Aunt Baba's best friend, and what was happening when Adeline's mom was giving birth to her.