Adeline refuses to bow down to the demand that she beg for her tram money. Those who are willing to bow to Niang are treated more favorably than the others, even to the point of being given the fare for the tram rides to and from school. Though the five older children are treated exceedingly differently than the two children of Joseph and his second wife, the children become separated by the treatment they receive from their parents. Aunt Baba remains Adeline's chief caregiver and the only person who loves her unconditionally, gives her support and encourages her to excel in academics and to dream of a better future.Īdeline is tormented by her home situation, her stepmother Niang and her siblings. Joseph remarries a short time later and his new wife hates the five stepchildren. Adeline's Aunt Baba gives up her job at a bank to become caregiver for the children.

Adeline's father never gets over the death of his wife and Adeline is considered an unlucky child because of the death of her mother. Adeline's mother dies a few days after her birth, possibly the result of an infection.

The birth is easy and Adeline's father refuses to send his wife and newborn daughter to the hospital for recuperation.

The older four children are born close together, but three years lapse before Adeline's birth. Adeline Yen is the fifth child born to Joseph Yen and his first wife.

Falling leaves mah