Chapter 5
Ailin also continues to succeed in school, despite her father's declining health. She does very well with her English and pronunciation, and even expresses feeling like she has a new identity with her English pronunciation. She also finds teachers that she doesn't love, such as Miss Scott, who gave a pretty scathing perspective of China. Also, her Uncle, when he's not on a tirade about the rebellion in China, expresses his disapproval of Ailin continuing to be in school.
At the closing of chapter 5, Ailin runs into Hanwei, her ex-fiancee. He still seems kind to her, and Ailin's friend says he seems "interested in her." Ailin ponders the traditions of bound feet and why it was ever put into place at the close of the chapter 5.
Chapter 6
Ailin's father's health is continually declining. She attempts to ignore it, but it isn't until Second Sister talks to her and explains that her education is in jeopardy if her father gets too sick; Ailin's uncle would decide what would happen with Ailin after her dad dies.
Sure enough, when Ailin's father passes away, Big Uncle explains that the tuition money is something they cannot continue to pay for her. Ailin contests a lot of his statements, saying that she might as well finish the last two months of her school that have already been paid for and that he has no right to put her to death under the new law in the government. Her retorts infuriate Big Uncle.
When Ailin tells her teachers she isn't returning, Miss Gilbertson offers to tutor her. The tutoring begins and Ailin progresses rapidly, learning to speak entirely in English in mere weeks. At the end of the chapter Miss Gilbertson introduces her to a member of the Warner family.
These 2 chapters were very interesting, but not surprising to me. I kind of figured that grandmother would soon be passing due to the previous chapter mentioning her declining health; and her fathers death wasn't surprising cause everything just seemed to be going too good for Ailin. I just knew something was going to happen where her world would be turned upside down eventually. And indeed the fact that she has to quit school is really sad to
ReplyDeleteme, especially since age is a very bright girl. I think
Ailin is like a living version of "change" from the
old government to the new republic and I think Big
Uncle doesn't want to face this. With this in mind, I also think its interesting how we start to hear about more women in China's history, her sister's regret of not listening in on "men" conversation and of her classmate being a young feminist...I am curious to see where the author is going with this and if the Warners are going to have a strong influence on Ailin's future.
Unlike most people in our LC, I was completely surprised when the father died. Of course as a few people pointed out, things were going too well in Ailin's household and the story needed some kind of struggle for her to overcome. I think Big Uncle is a good complement to Ailin's father and he represents everything that Ailin's father doesn't. Big Uncle is quick to become angry, stubborn and set in his ways. We can see how this is becoming problematic for Ailin especially in her schooling. She must use her own strength and perseverance to motivate herself to become educated. I think it is very interesting how she gets around Big Uncle and I am curious how she will continue her education for the rest of the book.
ReplyDeleteI too was completely saddened and a bit shock when I read about Ailin's father's death. I knew for a while he was sick but I didn't expect him to go so soon. Once he died I immediately knew Ailin's education and future was at risk. Her mean uncle had tried throughout her life to control her and her future. The only reason he didn't was because of father. Now with her father gone she will have to protect and fight for herself. No longer is she the spoiled Ailin who travels around in a rickshaw who goes to a missionary school; she is now sad frightened Ailin who may become victim to her mean heartless uncle's rule. How strong and rebellious is Ailin really? we have to keep reading to find out.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed these two chapters because it showed more customs of the Chinese culture and how different it is from most Western customs. It was surprising that both the grandmother and father died in these chapters. I knew that Ailin would have to quit school because her uncle was so against it in the first place. I am interested to see how Ailin continues to be successful and how her tutoring turns out
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ReplyDeleteI loved when ailein suc hanwei coack
ReplyDelete