Chapter 1
This I found to be a better read that The Dubliners. I Liked his style how he would leave little gaps here and there along the way. Although this was a sad story, McCourt made me laugh a few times throughout it. It reminded me of The Boarding House from Joyce with the whole getting pregnant and then marrying concept. I felt bad for Frank as for he did not have a great upbringing and it amazed me that his mother had the five children within the four years she was married to his father. As being the eldest of the children he seemed to get shut out a lot by his family. His younger brother Malachy seemed to attract all the attention. It was sad to see that the baby girl Margaret did not live very long. The mother went into a depression and sort-of left Frank to care for his brothers for his father had left in a depression as well. I felt bad for him and his brothers because they had nothing. At one point he mentioned in his mind if Mrs. Leibowitz or Minnie could be his mothers and have food made for him as they did to help the boys out when their mother was depressed. I do not blame her for being depressed for I have no idea what that feeling would be like but I do believe that there is a time to gather yourself together and move on although it may be very hard. It took Angela’s cousins to come and get her back to Ireland. I wonder how things will go there after leaving New York.
Jonathan Taylor
I agree with much of what Jonathan said. (Though I would say that Angela's Ashes is an easier read than Dubliners, not necessarily a better read...both are very well written!) There were a few instances of humor, particularly concerning the descriptions of the MacNamara Sisters. Like what Jonathan said, it blew my mind that the McCourts had all those kids within just a few years. Perhaps that was not so unusual for the time, but then again, there were plenty of families that did not have five kids. Was birth control back then really more expensive than what it cost to raise a child? (Maybe so, considering that the kids were raised on sugar-water!) Perhaps igrnorance, or their Catholic upbringing was the reason for such a large family. The dumb thing was that the McCourts weren't even that religious when they lived in New York--the kids knew nothing about their religion.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it is very sad to see the extreme poverty the family lived in, and I did feel very sorry for Frank, who was often neglected by his parents, unless they needed him to take care of his brothers. I, too, was disappointed that Angela didn't have the strength to attempt to care for her four other children after the death of her daughter. It was as though her other children didn't matter. Very sad. It is amazing to me that Frank survived childhood, became an accomplished writer, and was not (openly) bitter towards his parents!!
So far, I like this book a lot more than The Dubliners. I prefer to hear stories through someone's point of view. For being such a young kid, Frank is able to recall exactly how his life was like with great detail. I don't think I can recall anything with that much detail from such a young age. I feel like maybe its because he was kind of forced to grow up so fast and look after his younger brothers when he was only 4 years old. You feel bad for the kids because they go day to day just trying to find food and with Malachy's drinking habits, the family was lucky if he came home with his wages at all. Being the oldest child, Frank was a little overlooked and he had the most responsibility. At least the people that lived around the McCourts were very generous and helping people. If it wasn't for the helpful neighbors, who knows if their family would have been able to get through the ordeal of losing their baby girl. I'm interested to see what the move back to Ireland is going to do to the family.
ReplyDeleteKyle Xenias
Angela’s Ashes
ReplyDeleteLike many others in the class, I am enjoying this book more than The Dubliners. Joyce is a very eloquent writer, but his short stories frustrated me: they were depressing and he always left me hanging at the end of the story. He included a lot of detail that did not interest me and actually lost my attention in the majority of his stories. Also, the fact that each short story had its own plot and characters, made the book as a whole- choppy and unmemorable, in my opinion. In contrast, Frank McCourt writes in a more understandable style. Since the story is in fact a memoir, the reader feels as though they are in the moment with McCourt. He is very detailed and surprisingly up-beat considering the circumstances/ events he is talking about. His life is just as depressing and hopeless as many Joyce’s characters within the Dubliners, yet there is something different about McCourt. His tone is not bitter towards his parents, and as he speaks there is an ever-present hopeful attitude. He sees the despair that surrounds his family, but he seems to think that they’ll get through the tough times. Or maybe he’s just nonchalant since he is so young? I believe he is wise beyond his years, because he is forced to grow-up so fast. He takes care of his younger siblings, since his mother is incompetent. Angela and Malachy senior frustrate me! They could at least keep their children and home clean! Maybe they should stop buying cigarettes and try to buy some proper food for their children. As much as the actions of Angela and Malachy upset me, I still pity them for their terrible misfortunes in New York.
-Patricia Gunlock
I totally agree with Lindsay that this was a much easier read. It seems more informal unlike the formal Dubliners where there would be parts when I would just have question marks popping around my head. I agree with Ms. Howard that there is a charm in Frank McCourt’s writing. “Angela Ashes” is the kind of book that I would read over and over again. Besides, unlike Dubliners, I think Angela Ashes is something I would read for leisure.
ReplyDeleteFrank McCourt has a sense of humor in his writing and I enjoy that very much. He describes very well, with an interesting but yet still realistic tone. This is a rather sad story. I would hope so badly that maybe one day Frank’s father, the older Malachy would bring home his wages and not let his children starve. However, that never quite happened.
I agree with Patricia that his tone is not bitter and it feels like he is not mad with his parents. Maybe he had never blamed his parents, but I would also wonder would it be that he once blamed his parents but not anymore? It should have been a really hard life and I totally wonder how the children even survived and grew up. In such circumstances, I think it would be reasonable if Frank did have some dissatisfaction towards his parents at some point.
I really liked reading Angela’s Ashes. It had a very good attention grabber in the beginning. Just by the first couple paragraphs, I was hooked and wanted to know what this story was all about. It was a lot easier to read and understand than The Dubliners. But as the same in The Dubliners, it is also very sad and the way he started off the story makes it seem that times are still hard and people are still getting sick. It kind of caught me off guard when he was having people die in the first chapter. It was sad to see that his family was so poor that he had to steal bananas for his little brothers, just so they could have something in their stomach and wouldn’t cry anymore. I thought it was very generous of the Italian to come over and give them more fruit, even though he knew that Frank took the bananas. It was nice to see that there were a few people around that were willing to lend a helping hand, even though they didn’t have much to give in the first place. I think as we continue on reading this story, I am going to become curious as what is to come. It’s hard for me to just stop reading after one chapter.
ReplyDeleteJust like everyone else I am really enjoying Angela's Ashes even though it is extremely sad. I like how much detail McCourt uses to really show us what his life was like. It's nice to see how even though he has a horrible childhood there are still things that make him and his family happy. If they are sleeping with 6 of them in a bed Frank says he's happy because he has a bed to sleep on and he's with his family. I feel bad for him because everyone thinks he is so ugly and odd. His little brother Malachy gets all the attention. The death of the little sister was also very sad because she was so young and because it made the father turn back to drinking again. Like we discussed in class, I was thinking "how do they afford cigarettes when they can't afford food", but I do understand why they smoke, and it seems like most of the time they don't buy the cigarettes for themselves. I am anxious to find out if things will get better for this family, but as of now it doesn't look good.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa Pearce
After reading a few pages of Angela's Ashes,I was already 100% more attentive and interested than I was for The Dubliners.Even though Joyce was descriptive in his writing,McCourt's details have a sense of humor and more of life than Joyce's.Angela's Ashes is a book that you imagine the story as your reading it,instead of just absorbing words from the page.I definitely agree with Han that Angela's Ashes would be a book that I would read for leisure.Even though the memoir is depressing,his writing style keeps you intrigued and entertained.
ReplyDeleteI like the characters Mrs.Macadorey and Mrs.Leibowitz.I loved their maternal nature & how it caused Frank to desire for them to be his mothers since they both made delicious food for him.I'm curious to see if there will be more mother-life figures for Frank and his siblings in Ireland since he feels a parental-lacking at home.
I enjoyed reading Angela’s Ashes more than reading the Dubliners. Reading a chapter book is a lot easier to read than a bunch of short stories which is only a segment of someone’s life. It is better when it is told from that person’s own point of view. But, these two books are not so much different from one another. Religion, alcoholism and death are some of the components they share. His writing gets your attention and keeps you wanting to know more. One thing that makes me wonder is how these children even survived. Frank took on a lot of responsibility and took care of the family by finding food and such. It was very nice to see a society lending a helping hand to them, even though they did not have much to give out in the first place. Maybe if the parents bad habits did not come before their children, they would have a better life. Despite all of this, Frank never talked down about his parents. He kind of looks on the bright sides of things and tries to keep his hopes up so his family will not give up. It is sad to have to see a child grow up when he should be enjoying his childhood and the wonders of being a kid. This is yet another story where the parents are to blame and I have sympathy for the main character, which is surprising that this all happened within the first chapter of the book. I can not wait to see what is yet to come.
ReplyDeleteAngela’s Ashes Chapter 1
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying this book so far. It seemed to grab much more of my attention that the Dubliners did. I see the similarities between the themes in the writings, but feel that this book is written in a more enjoyable form. The first chapter has some sad moments in it, and I feel bad for the way that this family is living. Malachy is portrayed as a typical Irish man, who is hardly able to hold a job and then blowing a bunch of money on alcohol. I can already tell that reading this book will be more entertaining than the Dubliners, and I am looking forward to this option much more.
I think I am really going to enjoy reading Angela's Ashes. I really appreciate how descriptive Frank McCourt's story telling is. While reading the first chapter, I felt like I could see the story playing out in my head. I think this is a very sad story - but there is some added humor and in a way it makes light of the situation. I like the contrast between Angela's Ashes and The Dubliners - this is a much easier read and they still have some of the same paralyzed sort of characters. I feel so sorry for Angela and I can't decide if it is completely her fault or just not knowing any better. It makes you wonder how strong her upbringing really was. I think that woman like her are prevalent everywhere, not just in Ireland. There are women in America who just have more and more babies to collect more welfare and I think that is sad. I am really curious to see what is going to happen in the upcoming chapters. I have a feeling that they twins are going to die because the beginning of the book is dedicated to his brothers - and they aren't named. I am really curious to see how there lives are going to change once they return to Ireland. I hope that they get their lives together and I hope that Angela will be able to stand on her two feet again.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading angelas ashes and believe i will continue to enjoy it. It started off a lot like the dubliners with his father being inebriated and there family living a miserable irish catholic upbringing. It was interesting how angelas birth was portaying what the rest of her life would pretty much be. They didn't really care for her when she was born and even as she gets older she is ridiculed. I like how McCourt is very descripted with his writing. It is very realstic and believable. I like how he shows what he really wants you to notice, like the food he ate, and the descpiption of his mothers birth, to his sister margarets short life and how it was the downfall of both his parents. I really like this book so far and believe I will enjoy it more than the dubliners.
ReplyDeleteKaitlyn Makar
I definitely like Angela’s Ashes more than the Dubliners. I also think this book is a lot easier to read than the Dubliners. But, at the same time, the story relates to alcoholism, poverty, broken homes, death, and sadness. I feel so bad for Frank. It is absolutely terrible to have to live such a life like his. I feel like Frank is such a strong person from what I’ve read so far with how he was made fun of, the oldest and set aside, and having to deal with his family’s issues. I feel the worst was when he lost his younger sister at such a young age. And she was inspiring Malachy to stop drinking for a bit. There was a spark of hope for a moment. Mccourt is very descriptive, but sometimes it gets too imaginable and sad. This story is so heartbreaking right now; I am hoping that it will get cheerful towards the end. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone that I too liked Angela's Ashes more than the Dubliners. Even though the two books are linked in many ways. Some constant things are poverty, alcoholism, religion, hatred for England, and lack of pride for Ireland to name a few. The distinct difference between the two is McCourt is more light hearted about it. What I mean is he actually brings humor into his writing were as Joyce does not. Also the way McCourt wrote the first chapter makes me believe that those are a young boys words. I can actually picture a young boy in this story were as Joyce would've thrown in some more intellectual words losing that touch or frame of mind. Honestly I couldn't put Angela's Ashes down because I was so interested in it and read almost half of the book before I had to go to bed.
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ReplyDeleteJust as everyone says the chapter was intresting to read, i share the same idea.Its captivating from the beggining and the flow is easy to comprehend.
Chapter 1
Frank McCourt illustate the kind of people Ireland has, his dad who comes from the nothern side is portrayed as an irresponsible dad who does not have time for his family.from the beggining, he was not planning to marry but he was forced by Angela's cousins. He spends his money at the bars at the expense of his family. His love for money makes him sell the dead body of the little girl to be used for research. Angela also contibutes to the problems they have, she never took time to know him, and never tryed to stop giving birth to children as adviced by her cousins. The author shows that nothing good comes from Ireland.
So far I really enjoyed Angela’s Ashes. I feel that it is a much easier read than Dubliners and I like how McCourt uses so much description so that you feel like you are there. His writing style also makes it easy to read and follow so that I found myself reading beyond the required reading whereas when reading Dubliners I had to struggle to get through the short stories. As sad as this story is, I really like it. It is sad to think about how this is a true story and how his life was really like this. Some of the things in the story I can’t even begin to imagine. I think Frank acts way older than he really is, I could never imagine a four year old changing a baby’s diaper. It is almost as if he is the father figure since his own father is out getting drunk most of the time. I feel bad for Frank for many reasons, he is four and has to eat sour milk and bread, his mom doesn’t pay attention to him, his father is a drunk, and people think he is ugly and odd. As sad as this book is I just can’t seem to put it down and I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy the rest of the book.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Angela's Ashes. I already have a lot of respect for the Irish because they had a very rough life. Frank McCourt does a great job of illustrating the way life really was and the hard times that the Irish had in his writing. In class I hear people judging the Irish males (fathers) for their bad habits and lack of jobs, but we don’t genuinely know what it was like to be them, and we never will. The book shows how hard it was for the mothers and the children, but it doesn’t really show what the fathers’ lives were like outside of drinking and being workless. I agree that they shouldn’t have had so many children when they don’t have the money to raise them properly, but that’s what happens when you have sex. I feel bad for Frank because even though he was a youngster he was made to be an adult (basically at the age of 4). People always paid more attention to his siblings than to him, and his parents really never let him have a childhood. He already seems like he had some heroin characteristics to me, because he rarely complains and he is always looking out for others. The book definitely keeps me on my toes so far and I’m excited to see what happens in the up coming chapters.
ReplyDeleteJessica Shields
Going along with what most of the people have said Angela's Ashes is definitely a easier much faster read. I'm looking forward to reading more and relearning the story of Frank McCourt.
ReplyDeleteAngela’s Ashes is a book about a boy and his life. The narrator, Frank the oldest of 5 children does a good job of recalling memories from his childhood. Frank is a US born who moves to Ireland with his family and then returns to America for good. The story starts off with a bit of humorous but in that humor there is sadness. Once a happy family of 7 is sadden by the death of Margaret, the youngest baby. As a result the mother falls into depression. The father is an Alcohol who is constantly out of work. During the depression not many immigrants had the opportunities that they have now. They do the jobs that not many American’s want to do and learn to survive in the little that they earn.
I liked the McCourt’s neighbors. They showed compassion to the family when they needed it the most. As we talked in class they know what it feels like to have nothing so they did what they could as acquaintances to help. The boys appreciate it a lot. Frank went on saying “I wish she was my mother” because at home the boys weren’t getting food that their bodies needed.
Angela's Ashes
ReplyDeleteI liked this story a lot more than The Dubliners. It was much easier to read and made sense, McCourt explained different terms as compared to Joyce's assumption that the reader knows. Very sad story thus far, I feel bad for Frank because he had to grow up so quick. His parents left him to watch his brother and eventually the twins, when he was only a couple years older than them. There were many similarities between the two books, especially with the drinking. Even in America the Irish cannot escape the bottle. I know that the Irish were not the only ones who drank but there is definently an emphasis on them. I didnt feel that bad for the parents, they did everything to themselves. The dad spent all his money on alcohol when he had 4 children to feed, and the mother didnt care for her children. I felt sympathy for her after Margret died, but she still had a responsibilty to her other 4 kids.
I like Angela's Ashes a lot more so for then The Dubliners. Angela's Ashes is a lot easier to read, it's not as hard to understand, and it is more interesting than the Dubliners. I thought that the Dubliners was harder for me to actually enjoy reading. The author in Angela's Ashes is describing his life through his eyes and I think it is much less boring than The Dubliners.
ReplyDeleteAngela's Ashes is set in Ireland like The DUbliners was and it is about a family struggling to survive. The story starts out with a boy named Frank describing how his parents met in New York and eventually moved back to Ireland with their four sons. Frank characterized his life growing up as a typical "miserable Irish Catholic childhood." With a drunk for a father, barely any money to eat, and diseases throughout the town. It is very hard for Angela because she cannot afford birth control, she keeps getting pregnant, she can't get a job, and her husband spends most of his money at the pub getting drunk. I feel bad for Angela, she is paralyzed is her relationship and situation and cannot do anything to change it. Then on top of that her first daughter Margaret gets sick and dies. It is so far a sad story, but I do like it more than The Dubliners.
Upon reading the first chapter of Angela’s Ashes, I was pleasantly surprised with McCourt’s down to earth, gritty writing style. Unlike Joyce, I was able to be be on the same level as McCourt.
ReplyDeleteMcCourt did a great job in portraying the “Miserable Irish Catholic childhood.” I could almost feel the pain of hunger that the children were feeling. Although written several decades removed from one another, Joyce and McCourt both portray the same paralysis that has latched onto their people.
The paralysis apparent throughout Dubliners cripples McCourt’s mother. She is paralyzed to act toward Malachy and to make a better life for her children. McCourt’s backtrack story telling of his parents lives and meeting provides a welcomed insight into the family relationship. Born into the lower class and absolute party, it almost seems as though Frank is destined to live a life of prolonged dejection, much like Malachy.
I can’t help but feel for Frank and his siblings, especially his sister. It’s heartbreaking to know that they had the money for food; however, Malachy chose to blow it on liquor. It’s a cycle the Irish people cannot seem to break, even to this day.
I agree with both Lindsay and Johnathan when they say that it blew their minds that the McCourt’s had so many children. I just don’t understand why they didn’t stop! I understand they didn’t have or necessarily believe in birth control, but they could have at least abstained form sex.
I definetly enjoyed Angelas Ashes way more than the Dubliners. The writing was still sometimes hard to comprehend but Frank Mccourt makes you laugh while telling his story, and he keeps you interested. The fact that this is a true story makes it even better I feel. As a character, I feel for Angela but I also question a lot of the things she does. I do not believe that she had the right to completely shut down when Margaret passed away, even though something terrible happened, eventually you still have to move on with her life. By her doing this she disregarded the real world, her husband and her other children. I feel by her doing that it may have been her other children feel like she loved Margaret more than them. Even though Malachy is an alcoholic, he has a sense of humor and truly does care for his family, rather than being angry at them all the time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Brittany said, I liked Mrs. Macadorey and Mrs. Lebowtiz. They were true examples of what a mother should be, and set an example for Frank, even though it was something he did not have. This book seems like it will have my attention, and I will actually look forward to picking it up and reading it, which will help me understand the story.
I though Angela's Ashes was a much better read then The Dubliners. It was a lot easier to read and to understand. The story is sad. The Mccourt’s don’t have that much money and whatever money they have the dad spends on drinking. The Mccourt’s don’t have enough money to even feed the babies milk. The kids go malnourished and the parents barely eat. The dad has a hard time finding a job and when he finds a job he has a hard time keeping it. The father spends most of the first chapter drinking at bars while the kids spend most of the chapter playing in the playground near their house. The Mccourt’s have four children, all boys, that they have to try and support but then they have another baby, a baby girl. From her birth, the father really cares about his daughter. He stops drinking and spends most of his time with her. The baby girl dies. The father spends two days at the bars while the mother spends all her time in her bed facing the wall. The kids are left unattended and their neighbors come and try and take care of the kids. The first chapter ends with the Mccourt’s on a boat going back to Ireland.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the first chapter of Angela’s Ashes, it is already obvious that it will be an easier read than the Dubliners. The Dubliners was comprised of many short stories and was sometimes difficult to follow. Joyce’s writing was complex and alluded to many scenarios that is strict to that time in Ireland. Not knowing much of the history of Ireland made it difficult to follow and relate to through most stories. McCourt’s writing is a lot easier to follow while still maintaining a good description of what is going on in the story. While reading the first chapter, I was actually able to visualize the story through my head and actually feel like a part of the story opposed to actually having to read Dubliners several time to realize what is going on. Although we were told we were going to enjoy reading Angela’s Ashes, it is already evident that this story is going to have a very depressing side to it. Alcohol abuse also seems that it is going to play a very prominent role in this story. The characters in the story seem very poor yet, most males in the story spend their money on their alcohol opposed to their family, much like the Dubliners.
ReplyDelete-Angela's Ashes
ReplyDeleteThe book seems a bit more interesting than The Dubliners, although there seems to be a few of the same "topics" that show up in both of the stories. For instance, the story is in Ireland, family problems such as dad not spending enough time or money with the family, drinking at the bars, and childhood point of view is involved. I think its quite amazing that Frank remembers his childhood very well and what life as a kid was like for him. He seems to be a bit detailed in what he tells us and what his feelings were at that time. When he's telling the story, it's almost as if you can actually picture your self there in his feet and you can feel the stress. I wish that the parents would spend more time and money with the children and less at the bars and on cigarettes and at least have a clean home with some proper clothing for the kids. Wish they had some more laws and family "acts" that they would have to follow so no kid is using a rag as a diaper and more money goes to food for the kids.
I agree with Johnathan that it was crazy that the McCourts had so many children. I couldn't understand why they needed so many children when they don't seem to event take care of them all, nor at the very lest give them a clean environment. Guess the parents never hear of birth control or a "break" from having kids.
Chapter 1
ReplyDeleteI think this book is a much easier read than The Dubliners, but at this point I don’t know if I am going to like it more or less. The thing I liked about Joyce was his ability to tell me so many different stories and all make them connected in some way and keep it very interesting. I’m hoping that McCourt will find more ways to keep me captivated and so far I like what I am reading. I think that the way Frank describes his father portrays him as an alcoholic, but the weird thing is that he doesn’t upset me as much as the others in The Dubliners do. I feel like he has a connection with his family, he just has a problem. I feel also that for alcoholism in Ireland is not something out of the ordinary. I think that people don’t really see it as a problem, I just think all people among Ireland drink and that no one will notice an alcoholic when everyone is drunk. I also want to note the fact that Frank’s mother is always pregnant. I understand that the Catholic religion is a major part of that reasoning. She will not use a form of birth control because Catholicism doesn’t allow it and even though not many really abide by that rule back in that time it was normal for married women to be popping out babies left and right. So I actually don’t really dislike her the way others do. I feel like I understand and feel bad for her. I’d say I like the way this book is starting and I also feel like after reading The Dubliners, I am going to be able to understand more when they start their life in Ireland.
Comment: I agree with jpinney when she says that Frank really has to grow up fast. He has a lot of responsibility at a very young age, taking care of his siblings and such.
How can you not like reading Angelas Ashes after the Dubliners? I agree with Brittany that immediately reading this that it was much more interesting. All the Irish people are drunk again. Thats surprising. Im excited to keep reading this book. I havent been excited to read a book for a long time. I felt bad for the parents, but it seemed like they almost had it coming. When the baby died. The two books have a lot of the same themes. Angela was paralyzed by how many kids she had.
ReplyDeleteFrank Mccourt's style is a much more lively one in that although it is depressing, he at least has the ability to incorporate humor into his story. It is very sad that Frank has to deal with what he does. I undersatnd that losing a child like Angela lost margaret can be depressing, especially at such a time as the depression, but i have no sympathy for irresponsility. My mother lost two children and she never gave up on my sisters or me; it is just pathetic how she leaves Frank to do things that a four year old should never have to do. The father adds to the problem by being irresponsible; they are just horrible parents. I can't stand it; it obviously made Frank a stronger person but it is just too bad that he had to grow up with parents who cared so little. The dad is so pathetic also, spending money on beer rather than food for his family, what a piece of crap; just because he was going through hard times, he put his own discusting habits before his unnourished children. To me, that is the lowest of the low. He may have been a funny guy but his priorities were all mixed up. I don't feel like the story will get much better once the family gets to Ireland but i am hopeful that the the parents will gain some sense and start to be responsible rather than pathetic low lifes. I do agree with Brittany that Malachi least has some life in him, he isn't dead to life like margaret and even though he does show some compassion to his children, he obvious doesn't love them like he should because if he did Frank wouldn't be changing diapers at 4. His poor wife, who is dead inside, needs someone to be there for her, to make her happy again or at least give her a boost, and Malachi doesn't help her at all. They are so withdrawn from eachother and thier distance makes the children's circumstances even worse. At least the neighbors were there to help the family, it is just sad that they were in such a bad position.
ReplyDeleteChapter 1
ReplyDeleteI love this book compared to the Dubliners because it is so much easier to read. I agree with Nathan because this book is ten times easier to read than the Dubliners. I also agree with Nathan because he is exactly write what do you know, there’s Irish people getting drunk and struggling through poverty. The dad is defiantly an alcoholic because he spends all his money at the bars. Frank McCourt’s family pretty much lives pay check to pay check when they really wouldn’t have to if the father could be responsible and keep his drinking under control. The only thing I do not really like about this book is how can Frank McCourt remember every little detail since he was four years old. I find that really hard to believe because I can’t remember anything from when I was four years old. Let alone could you really imagine being four years old and changing your younger siblings diaper. Also why would the McCourt family have so many kids? Isn’t that kind of irresponsible because you can’t even take care of yourself first of all? I think if you can’t support yourself, you shouldn’t be having children because you are not bringing them into a good environment. I am very excited to keep reading this book because it is actually a really easy read!
Nick Cheyney
I am on the same stance on Lindsay on this one. I believe that both The Dubliners and Angela's Ashes are both very well written.
ReplyDeleteHowever I must say that I definitely enjoyed reading Angela's Ashes more. I find the story very poignant as there are small instances of humor even against a very depressing financial situation. To me Frank McCourt is proving that you have to laugh in the face of absolute poverty in order to stay sane.
Chapte 1
ReplyDeleteAngelas Ashes is a much more entertaining story, perhaps because its a true story and i think that makes it more interesting. I've had friends who grew up dirt poor but their conditions were never as severe as the ones in these 2 books. It is a sad story but it seems like there are life lessons in these. The most obvious of wichwould be not to take what you hve for granted, tere are always people who have had it worse off that you. The first chapter grabs your attention and makes you interested in how every thing is going to turn out for Frank McCourt. Although the charactes arent as well described as in the dubliners they are real people and throughout the book frank McCourt builds on everything from the first chapter, from the alcohol consumption and the religion, to the symbolic use of blood. the first chapter cought my attention so well I couldnt wait to see what happened in Ireland. Now Im 2/3 the way through th book... it gets better and better!!
I agree wit Alex that rank McCourt has a gift in his writing. He really makes you feel like you are suffering wit him. I do find it interesting that he doesnt seem to hold any grudge on his parents given all their flawys in parenting, which there are plenty of, but when you are as poor as they are Ithink that family is all that you really have and you have to appreciate it. I also think that the reason the father drinks and they both smoke is because they savor the small comforts in life which there are very few of...
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Thomas that Frank McCourt does a great job of incorporating humor into his story even though it is mostly sad. I do sympathize for Frank in the fact that he is only four years old and he is asked to do so much. No parent should go through the loss of a child, but in the same sense, no parent should disregard the children that they already have. Angela asks so much of Frank and he is nowhere near being of age to have to deal with these types of situations. I also like the point Thomas made about the dad using his money on alcohol and not to feed his family. That is a very low position to take in the situation that the family was in.