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Little Sister (Susan)
Aunt Reine is Niang’s older sister, mother of Claudine and Victor, and Adeline’s aunt. Aunt Reine and her family rescues Adeline from Tianjin and the Communists by taking her with them aboard a ferry destined for Hong Kong. Although Adeline assumes that Aunt Reine will be just like Niang, she quickly discovers that her aunt is quite the opposite. Aunt Reine treats Adeline as if she were one of her own children, a stark contrast to Niang’s blatant favoritism. When, aboard the ferry, it is clear that someone will have to sleep on a low cot instead of an uncomfortable bed, Aunt Reine determines that they will draw lots for it. Aunt Reine herself draws, opening the possibility that, even though she is an authority figure, she may be humbled to the least comfortable accommodation. This is a shock to Adeline, who is so accustomed to Niang’s unbridled narcissism that she cannot fathom a mother figure who is not domineering and selfish. Aunt Reine and her family play the critical part of demonstrating to Adeline what a healthy, normally-functioning family can look. The days that Adeline spends aboard the ferry with Aunt Reine and her family are some of the happiest of her young life. However, in the presence of Niang, Aunt Reine does not object to the unequal treatment of Adeline, indicating that she, too, unfortunately falls subject to Niang’s power. After arriving in Hong Kong and visiting for a week, Aunt Reine and her family travel on to Geneva.
Aunt Reine Quotes in Chinese Cinderella
The Chinese Cinderella quotes below are all either spoken by Aunt Reine or refer to Aunt Reine . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 16: Hong Kong
Quotes
Claudine became alarmed. “Mama, how often does a ship sink?” she asked.
Before Aunt Reine had time to reply, Victor quipped with a straight face, “Only once!”
…then Victor did something my brothers would never have done. How took off his life jacket, slipped it on his sister, and showed her how to adjust the straps.
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That was how [Aunt Reine’s] family treated me throughout the time I spent with them. They made me feel as if I were their third child. For the first time in my life, I did not automatically get the short end of the sick but was given an equal share, just like Victor and Claudine.
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“It’s so unfair,” Victor continued. “Why doesn’t [Adeline] get to go anywhere with us?”
“That’s just the way it is!” Niang exclaimed sharply. “You either get in now and come with us, or you can stay home with her. Suit yourself!”
“In that case,” Victor replied gallantly, “I think I’ll stay and keep Adeline company.”
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Get the entire Chinese Cinderella LitChart as a printable PDF.
Aunt Reine Quotes in Chinese Cinderella
The Chinese Cinderella quotes below are all either spoken by Aunt Reine or refer to Aunt Reine . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 16: Hong Kong
Quotes
Claudine became alarmed. “Mama, how often does a ship sink?” she asked.
Before Aunt Reine had time to reply, Victor quipped with a straight face, “Only once!”
…then Victor did something my brothers would never have done. How took off his life jacket, slipped it on his sister, and showed her how to adjust the straps.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
That was how [Aunt Reine’s] family treated me throughout the time I spent with them. They made me feel as if I were their third child. For the first time in my life, I did not automatically get the short end of the sick but was given an equal share, just like Victor and Claudine.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
“It’s so unfair,” Victor continued. “Why doesn’t [Adeline] get to go anywhere with us?”
“That’s just the way it is!” Niang exclaimed sharply. “You either get in now and come with us, or you can stay home with her. Suit yourself!”
“In that case,” Victor replied gallantly, “I think I’ll stay and keep Adeline company.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
