Relationship An important relationship is between Niang (Adeline's stepmother) and Adeline.Niang is very scornful towards Adeline, making her feel isolated all the time. The children from Joseph's first marriage are known as the 'others' or 'all of you'. Niang is a controlling and spiteful sort of person who resents the presence of Adeline and her siblings. The children from Joseph's first marriage are known as the 'others' or 'all of you'. Throughout the text Niang is always ignoring Adeline or trying to push her out of the family. Why this relationship is important This relationship is important as it helps show the theme of the text – never to give up and fight to achieve your dreams. Despite Niang’s cruel treatment of Adeline she never gives up her dream of an education and making her father proud.
“Everyone considered Niang’s real children to be better looking, smarter, and simply superior in every way”
“Our stepmother was stylish and flawless with her large, piercing eyes, long shapely nails painted bright red and flashing diamonds”
“I was the only one always excluded”
“Niang loathed me. As for father he hardly knows I exist”
“She treats me like a leper…a piece of garbage to be thrown out”
“Niang turned to father and announced in a loud voice that I was looking uglier and uglier as I grew older and taller”
Relationship
An important relationship is between Niang (Adeline's stepmother) and Adeline.Niang is very scornful towards Adeline, making her feel isolated all the time. The children from Joseph's first marriage are known as the 'others' or 'all of you'. Niang is a controlling and spiteful sort of person who resents the presence of Adeline and her siblings. The children from Joseph's first marriage are known as the 'others' or 'all of you'. Throughout the text Niang is always ignoring Adeline or trying to push her out of the family.
Why this relationship is important
This relationship is important as it helps show the theme of the text – never to give up and fight to achieve your dreams. Despite Niang’s cruel treatment of Adeline she never gives up her dream of an education and making her father proud.