Chinese Cinderella

“like a persistent toothache”

T

• Simile

A

• Compares her anxiety to constant physical pain

• Suggests her worries never leave her

• Makes her emotional suffering feel intense

E

• Creates sympathy for Adeline

• Presents her fear and stress as overwhelming

“Holy of Holies”

T

• Religious imagery

A

• Makes Father’s room seem sacred and forbidden

• Shows how powerful and distant he is

• Suggests Adeline deeply craves his approval

E

• Emphasises the father’s authority

• Presents Adeline as intimidated and emotionally vulnerable

“Am I dreaming?”

T

• Rhetorical question

A

• Shows Adeline’s disbelief after winning the competition

• Reveals how unfamiliar praise is to her

• Allows readers to hear her thoughts directly

E

• Creates sympathy for Adeline

• Presents her as insecure and desperate for approval

“I only had to stretch out my hand to reach the stars”

T

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

A

• Suggests Adeline feels limitless happiness and hope

• Shows how important her father’s approval is

• Creates a dramatic emotional shift

E

• Makes readers feel her excitement

• Presents the moment as life-changing for Adeline

“You are going to starve!”

T

• Direct speech

• Exclamatory sentence

A

• Father immediately dismisses Adeline’s dream of becoming a writer

• Shows his controlling and practical attitude

• Suggests he values success over passion

E

• Creates frustration towards the father

• Presents Adeline as trapped by parental control