Having grown up with a supporting family, I have become ignorant to the hardships experienced in other households. However, after having read the novel Chinese Cinderella written by Adeline Yen Mah and interviewed Sarah Marcello, my outlook on this subject has been influenced. Chinese Cinderella follows the life of a young Adeline as she struggles through life as the unwanted child of the Yen Mah family. Sarah Marcello was sent to live with her grandparents in Italy following the discovery of her twin having autism. Sarah’s parents felt as though they could not handle the stress of the two children and focused their attention on Sarah’s sister. These two inspiring people shared similar struggles but through their determination, pride, and kind
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Adeline was determined to achieve academic excellence so that she may one day, create a better life for herself. This willpower was instilled within Adeline at a young by her Aunt whom she shares a close relationship with, Adeline was determined to make her Aunt proud. After receiving her first academic award in kindergarten, Adeline’s Aunt causes her to feel special: “I watched her … take out her safe deposit box … and placed my certificate underneath her jade bracelet, pearl necklace, and diamond watch, as if my award were also some precious jewel …” (Yen Mah 2). This marks the beginning of Adeline’s journey into academic excellence. Through hard work, she wins multiple awards, becomes class president, skips many grades, and wins a national writing award which convinces Adeline’s father to allow her to attend University abroad. Comparatively, Sarah Marcello was determined to have and care for her own family. Growing up knowing that she was abandoned by her parents caused Sarah to want to create her own family in which she may be happy. At forty-seven, Sarah has completed her goal stating, “ My wedding was one of the happiest days of my life, tied with the birth of my two children … I’m always happiest when my family’s happy” (S. Marcello, personal communication, 23 July 2017). While speaking of her family, Sarah’s face noticeably brightened, displaying her determination was
Adeline was determined to achieve academic excellence so that she may one day, create a better life for herself. This willpower was instilled within Adeline at a young by her Aunt whom she shares a close relationship with, Adeline was determined to make her Aunt proud. After receiving her first academic award in kindergarten, Adeline’s Aunt causes her to feel special: “I watched her … take out her safe deposit box … and placed my certificate underneath her jade bracelet, pearl necklace, and diamond watch, as if my award were also some precious jewel …” (Yen Mah 2). This marks the beginning of Adeline’s journey into academic excellence. Through hard work, she wins multiple awards, becomes class president, skips many grades, and wins a national writing award which convinces Adeline’s father to allow her to attend University abroad. Comparatively, Sarah Marcello was determined to have and care for her own family. Growing up knowing that she was abandoned by her parents caused Sarah to want to create her own family in which she may be happy. At forty-seven, Sarah has completed her goal stating, “ My wedding was one of the happiest days of my life, tied with the birth of my two children … I’m always happiest when my family’s happy” (S. Marcello, personal communication, 23 July 2017). While speaking of her family, Sarah’s face noticeably brightened, displaying her determination was