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Frank McCourt, the author of the touching memoir, Angela's Ashes, commences his life in Brooklyn, New York in 1935. There, his mother, Angela becomes depressed after the death of the newly born, Margaret. The family returns to their homeland, Limerick, Ireland. This concept is bizarre because then, most people departed Ireland destined for a new life in America; however the McCourt's do the complete opposite. Many problems arise in Limerick, and their entire lives' change. In Ireland, they move into a two-floored apartment, which is in terrible living condition.
During the winter, they have to live upstairs because the downstairs is flooded. The weather changes the mood for everyone and is a symbol of many different feelings including sadness and loneliness. It sets the tone for Frank's life. In the meantime, Angela is impregnated with more children, most of whom die in the end. The father, Malachy, is an alcoholic and spends all his money earned on himself rather than his family.
He shares numerous stories and legends with Frank and is able to gain his love and respect. Malachy is from Northern Ireland and everyone in Limerick, including Angela's family, dislikes him for that reason. The McCourt family is very Catholic and after Frank is confirmed, a feeling of manhood is noticed. The brothers attend an all-boy's Catholic school in Ireland; however, because they are not as privileged as many of the other boys, a feeling of lowness is perceived. After Frank becomes sick, he acquires a love of Shakespeare and his ability of language is noticed by his school, along with his talent of storytelling. Frank's father heads off to England to make money for the family, which he is supposed to send back.
However, the money never shows up, except for one time. After visiting his family once, Malachy never shows up again. Frank is able to develop more as a man because in a sense, he is the man of the house. While this is happening, the family's apartment is taken away from them and they have no choice, but to move in with Angela's cousin, Laman.
Laman is a horrible, obnoxious man who Angela sleeps with. Frank becomes discouraged and angry with everything that is going on. Therefore, he gets a job as a messenger boy and becomes involved in a sexual relationship with a customer named Theresa Carmody. However, she dies of consumption, which leaves Frank depressed and heart-broken.
The still thought of moving back to New York stays in Frank's mind throughout the entire memoir. McCourt uses the first person point of view in his gripping memoir. The novel is made up of English writing; however he includes much dialect of the Irish, English, and American. McCourt matches up his tone with the narrator's age perfectly and as the book unwinds, he becomes more serious and mature. His humor, modesty, and down-to-earth way of writing makes the reader feel alive in the story. Frank has to undergo many different deprived feelings.
He has to suffer hunger, disregard, the depressing weather, his father's alcohol problem, disease, poverty, and many deaths. Many people look down at him because of his social standings. He receives hostility from the schoolmasters, priests, his family members and sometimes, himself. He wants to rise up from poverty more than anything. The authors writing style is unusual. An excerpt from the book that greatly displays the authors style takes place on the first page of chapter one, when McCourt describes his life, "When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived at all.
It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood... the poverty; the shiftless loquacious alcoholic father; the pious defeated mother moaning by the fire; pompous priests; bullying schoolmasters... Above all- we were wet" (11). In a way, the author is misleading the reader because he is using humor, when really the story is not humorous, but only depressing, sad, and cheerless. McCourt has a strong adult opinion at this point in the book, but this is the only time, because after this, the book takes the opinion of a child and their perspective on life.
Personally, realizing how deprived a child's life can be, I am able to realize how privileged I am. I am able to eat, have shelter, have a family, be clothed, and able to afford proper medicines. Frank McCourt has to endure many hardships; ultimately, his childhood is a hardship. However, he is able to make the best of his childhood and fulfill his upbringing dream. After reading this memoir, my perception has changed and broadened. It helped change my outlook on life, my anger, my sadness, and most of all, myself.
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Research essay sample on Miserable Childhood Frank Mccourt Family
