Chapters 6-8:
It is nice to read that Frank has some better teachers now. Mr. O’Neill (“Dotty”), the master in fourth class, does not seem quite as intent on whipping his students as previous teachers, and he even exhibits a degree of humanism by the tears he subtly sheds after Brendan asks him what the use of learning about Euclid is when the Germans are bombing everything around them. A couple years later, after Frank’s illness takes him out of school for two months, he is forced to repeat the previous grade (fifth class). Luckily, his teacher Mr. O’Dea gives him a creative writing assignment, and Frank’s response is a very practical one that really gets to the heart of Ireland’s problems. The maturity of his ideas convinces Mr. O’Dea and Mr. O’Halloran (master in sixth class) to allow Frank to proceed to sixth class. Sixth class with Mr. O’Halloran is the first time in which Frank has a teacher who doesn’t call his students idiots and who actually encourages them to use their minds to make their own conclusions about life, rather than simply being forced to recite the teacher’s own opinion. How refreshing that this teacher finally recognizes that despite the students’ poverty, their minds are very valuable. There is hope yet for Frank!
Frank’s mind is stretched in another significant way in these chapters. While in the hospital, being treated for typhoid, he talks to his unseen roommate Patricia, who persuades the janitor Seamus to bring books to Frank. Reading brings Frank to life in an almost magical way! How wonderful that he had this experience (and how ridiculous that he never had such stimulation up until this point!), despite the circumstances of being sick in the hospital with a narrow-minded, overly-controlling nurse to tend to him.
In general, it seems that Frank can only enjoy in separated pockets of time small rewards, such as reading, being given the opportunity to think for himself, or even having a decent meal. Yet he has the strength to persevere and not lose his spirit…most impressive!
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Now that Frank is getting older so are his emotions and feelings. He now feels angry towards his father when he drinks away the money that was meant for Alphy. I think that frank is at the age now where he will remember everything his father does and be able to hold him responsible for his actions. The innocence of his childhood is growing up.
ReplyDeleteWhen he fights typhoid fever he gets another chance to live. And he totally makes it worthwhile when he fights to move to the sixth form. He writes a paper using his imagination which is the beginning of his writing career. He’s learned to use his imagination which is his way out of their miserable reality. His character is also shining through as the book goes on an example of it when he goes to read to Mr. Timoney. He walks all the way to see an adult who Frank considers his friend.
I also thought Mr. Timoney’s character in the book is of a man who is ahead of his time. He married and Indian woman, converted to Buddhism but his only mistake was moving back to Ireland. In life most forward thinking men get shut down by people who are afraid to learn of something new. And Mr. Timoney getting committed was a perfect example of that.
I agree with Lindsay with all that is wrong with Frank’s life he still hasn’t lost his spirit. He still has the will to go on…
Frank continues to amaze me as I read. He has never given up on his situation and he is still doing all that he can for his family. He is not ever a teenager and he has a job with his uncle delivering papers at which he works very hard at and he volunteers/ is volun“paid” to read to his new friend who is committed to an mental institution. Frank will never be perfect which is why I found it funny when he and his friends got caught spying on the sister’s changing room. Boys will be boys no matter what they do and especially at Frank’s age. His sincere disappointment in himself proves that he is still better that most though. Frank nearly dies from illness but even then he never gave up. He found the best in that situation because he received true affection from his father for the first time in his life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Winnie said about Frank’s emotions becoming older. I was very happy to see that Frank was very upset with his father when he was drinking the baby’s money away. This is an unforgivable mistake and I am glad that Frank witnessed it because he will grow up to be a much better man than his father…well Frank already is a better man than his father…even as a boy.
I agree with Winnie's comments about Mr. Timoney being ahead of his time, and also about Frank's losing his innocence and growing up emotionally. It was a little painful to see how close-minded many of the people in Ireland were, when it came to people such as Mr. Timoney. Frank must recognize this close-mindedness, even at a young age, because we are given evidence that Frank's thoughts challenge much of Irish convention. (He thinks worldly Mr. Timoney is a good friend, we can tell that he thinks many adults take their religion too far, like when the nurse at the hospital forbade Frank to read, etc...) No wonder Frank yearns to move back to America someday, where free thinkers are welcomed.
ReplyDeleteFrank is starting to grow up and show signs of maturity. He’s helping out his uncle by delivering newspapers, even though his uncle does not treat him well. He also gets a little extra cash by helping a man read. In our time, no one would ever work at Frank’s age. It would be unethical, so it’s great seeing him act the way he does. On the other hand, Franks’ father is a low human. He drinks away the new baby’s money at a pub. I want to know what is going through his head and how he can be so selfish. I do not know how someone could imagine doing what he did, especially with the life they are living. It is bad when a three-year old kid knows his dad is drinking and he should be mad at him. We also get introduced to a few new characters, such as Fintan, Frank’s creepy classmate who is a religious nut and has homosexual tendencies. We also learn about Mickey, who wants his sister to die of consumption so he does not have to attend school for a week. Very interesting characters indeed. Franks also almost dies from being deathly ill, but ends up surviving. One of the very few times that Frank’s dad shows some decency and affection is when he stays by Frank’s side through the sickness. Maybe his dad is starting to shape up and realize what he’s doing wrong…maybe not…
ReplyDeleteFrank is finally growing up but his surroundings still remain terrible. I was mad (but not suprised) that the dad drank his brother's money away. I agree with Mitch in that I was happy when Frank ignored his father because of his actions. Frank's new friends add more humor to the story, especially Quasimodo. He is such a little creeper for using his sister's to make money, but funny becuase he actually thought of using them. And as bad as Frank having typhoid was, he was granted a break from the poverty and misery on his home. He got a bed that was free of fleas, not to mention all the food.
ReplyDeleteI think that Frank is a really good kid, despite the conditions he was raised in. He felt guilt for eating the fish and chips and for attempting to see the sister's naked. I'm happy to see that he is such a good little boy, giving his mom the money he earns from reading and goes to confess his "sins". I definently am liking the book more as Frank progresses and grows.
Chapters 6-8
ReplyDeleteFrank once again amazes me by showing he is more mature than his father and his uncle, and even though he is just 10, he is a “bigger” man than his father/uncle as well. Frank has hate in his heart when he sees his dad drink away the money that was supposed to be for his new baby brother Alphy. When Frank was younger he saw his father’s ugly, cowardice deeds but he was so young he could not fathom just how selfish and ugly they were. Now Frank is 10 and his surroundings have forced him to grow up prematurely. No 10 year old should have to lug around newspapers that weigh as much as him for a few pennies.
Frank shows just how tough he is when he fights off the Typhoid fever. There is death and decay all around him and the constant vision of his immature, selfish mother and father aren’t very promising reasons to fight for life. Yet, even though Malachi is a selfish bag of crap, he is there for Frank when he needs it the most. I still don’t forgive Malachi but his love and affection for Frank in his time of need is possibly one of the reasons Frank survived.
Another sad vision is Mr. Timmony being committed to the psych ward. Once again, the prejudice revolving around religion shines through as the most prominent factor in life in Ireland. If Mr. Timmony wasn’t a Buddhist, and such a religion was seen as equal or at least acceptable, I highly doubt he would have gone to the psych ward. I would have laughed at the dog biting the none too; especially if she was anything like the other religious figures portrayed so far in the book. Chances are, she deserved it.
Frank is just a curious, tough little guy. Good for him for snatching the fish and chips. Too bad he didn’t snatch them from his a-hole uncle and kick him in the shins. Overall, Frank seems to be growing up to be become the exact opposite of his family members: daring, good-hearted, mature, and optimistic.
I agree with Jpinny that the hunchback is a creep for selling his using his sisters like that. Most dudes would throw down over sumone trying to see thier sisters naked, not profit from it.
I also agree with John about Fintan. Lets just say if Fintan were at kent he would be in PRIDE. I mean, maybe at that age it is too young to tell but I guess it depends on your views of homosexuality; if people are born with it then Fintan is definately gay, but anyway thats a discussion for pysch or human sexuality.
I agree with Winnie - Frank has really developed emotionally in the last few chapters. His personality is standing out more, and with the way he treats all the experiences he is going through, we get to see how much character he has. He is able to think about the wellbeing of his brothers, even when he is extremely miserable himself. He is so selfless, and is a better father to his brothers than malachy ever was.
ReplyDeleteFrank’s character especially shines through when he decides to read to Mr. Timoney. I think most children would think reading to an old man is a chore, but Frank does it pretty willingly. After Mr. Timoney is taken away, he even tries to find him to read to him. This shows that Frank really does have a caring heart.
I think it’s extremely sad that Frank enjoyed the hospital because it was clean and he got food. I could never imagine living a life where I was more comfortable in a hospital than at home. I hoped that Frank’s near-death experience would help his parents realize how lucky they are that he lived through it, but besides his father kissing him in the hospital, not much seemed to change. We see Frank develop a love for reading in the hospital. I think this is a milestone in his life, considering he grew up to be a writer. He was also able to make a friend in Patricia, which seemed to really encourage him, until he was taken away from her.
It seems like in every chapter we read Frank tends to become a little more mature. Now he is showing us that he is able to be somewhat of a working man. He helped his uncle with the news papers, even though he didn’t get paid nearly enough for all the help and work he put into it. It kind of seems like no matter what Frank does, he never gets recognition for it. He is a very helpful person. But no one repays him, even with a simple thanks Frank. Not until Frank met Mr. Timmoney. I feel like Mr. Timmoney was very helpful to Frank. He had Frank read him stories, stories that children that age shouldn’t even be reading. Frank is really intelligent, and it seems like Mr. Timmoney was his somewhat “safe place” for Frank. He treated Frank with respect, paid him for the time he was there and treated him as if he was more than just some kid. It just seemed like they got along pretty well and Frank really enjoyed being with him. Even when Mr. Timmoney was sent away, Frank walked all that way just to read to him. And after all the walking, he wasn’t even able to get in. That just goes to show how determined he is. It seems like he tries to help whenever he can. Like when he got his money from Mr. Timmoney, he would give it all to his mother. A normal ten year old today would probably have kept it and spent it on junk, but Frank was willing enough to help out his family and give his mother the money that he worked hard for. Every now and then his mother would give him some money so he could go to the movies, but this isn’t really how a child should be living their life. A ten year old was almost the primary income for his family of six? That just doesn’t seem right.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what jhansel said about how it’s pretty sad when I child knows to be mad at their father because he went out drinking again. But it wasn’t just the drinking they were mad about. He drank away all of the new baby’s money. I really wish that their father would realize how much pain that he puts his children through. He is pretty much stealing from his own family. I know he realized that and I think that is why he actually ended up going over to England. Because if he’s in England, then he won’t have a wife nagging him about getting a job or being out at the pub, and he won’t have to see his children and what he has put them through. I think it’s time for him to stand up and be a man and take care of his family, instead of fulfilling his need for the pint.
In chapters 6-8 i think that you start to understand te effect that Frank has on the people aroun him. This is where he starts to grow up and makes impacts on others such as patricia and seamus in the hospital during his bout with the typhoid fever. I thik that the relationship between frank and Patrica is sad but also romantic. It really seems like thay had a connection. I dont know if frank would be the same person as he turned out to be if he had not developed his love for books while reading to Mr. Timoney and reading in the hospital. These experiences are probably what fueled hi to write his book and share his story.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite parts in the book is in chapter 8 when frank writes his composition called Jesus and the Weather. I thought that this paper frank wrote was hilarious and very clever for a young boy to write. Although this paper was kind of strange I think that it showed the teacher that Frank was extremely bright and deserved to be in the next grade.
I agree with everyone else. Frank is wise beyond his years and already is tougher than I might be right now in my life. He works delivering papers and reading to Mr. Timoney just to help his family make it by. I delivered papers at about that age too, but I have a feeling it was a much bigger job for him than it was for me and I wasn't doing it to help my family survive either. Frank continues to mature in front of our eyes and he is growing very rapidly. It is obvious that he loves to learn and he is a good kid by anyones standards. His writing abilities at that age are pretty amazing. The topic he chose to write about is equally amazing. I went to catholic school for 8 years but I don't think I would have ever thought to write a story about Jesus like he did. His sense of what's funny is pretty good already.
ReplyDeleteFrank is a machine. Nothing stops this kid. Not even his near death experience slowed him down too much. These chapters also introduce us to some of Frank's friends who each have very distinct personalities. The whole peeking at the girls changing part had me grinning the entire time. It's a reminder of what all the boys tried to do when they were younger and what some more immature "boys" still do today. This book continues to surprise me because of how much I like it.
In chapters 6-8 Frank is definitely getting older and more mature. I think the main part of these chapters are him taking two jobs; one helping his uncle deliver the news and another reading to Mr. Timoney. I thought it was pretty disgusting that his uncle didn't want to pay him or feed him at all. Pretty much everyone takes Frank for granted in this book. He never complains or says no to the things he is told to do, but he gets no recognition. He did find a good companion in Mr. Timoney, but even then, his uncle tried taking credit for it. Regardless, Mr. Timoney ended up being taken away from Frank when he was put into the psych ward basically because he had a bad dog? I was definitely shocked that Frank could read the books Mr. Timoney asked him to and that's when I started to realize he was an intelligent kid, despite what everyone said about him. The fact that Frank also gave all of his money except sometimes a few cents to his mom was also crazy. I can't believe a kid as young as him had the generosity to do that. I know as a kid I would've spent any money I got on toys. It was also really admirable that he tried to go to the psych ward and read to Mr. Timoney without even being asked or told too. It just shows that despite his horrible life Frank is a genuinely good person.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Jpinney that Frank's new friends add funny parts to the story. Like Quasimodo letting people pay to see his sisters naked. Another good point was that nothing stops Frank, and even with a horrible case of typhoid he managed to stay alive and go on being a good person.
Frank is getting older and maturer as i continue reading the book. He understands that its more important to give his parents the money that he earns by helping out with the newspapers and by reading to Mr. Timoney rather then spending it on taffy. He knows that his dad will drink away all the dole money and so the money that he gives his mom helps them live a little better even though its not that much money. Frank gets sick with typhoid which puts him in the hospital where he had a bed with sheets that were changed everyday and food. Even though typhoid almost killed Frank, when he started to regain his health the hospital cared for him. He had better treatment and better food at the hospital then he would have had at his home.
ReplyDeleteJust like everyone else has been saying, Frank is mature. He understands that at 9 or 10, he needs to work to help his family and be the father figure when his father is out drinking away all their money. He feels guilt for doing stuff that he is not supposed to do like going to look at Quasimodo's sisters and he feels guilt for eating the fries and chips from the passed out man. He understands what his father is doing and he knows that it is wrong.
Frank continues to show great character as a person throughout the book. It really surprised me that him and his brothers are so young, yet they know that when their Dad spends all of his money of alcohol it is bad. If I was father and my children acted like that toward me I would be devastated and would definitely change my ways. I also think it was very responsible of him to get a job at such a young age and have no problem with sharing his earnings to help the family out. Whenever I was a kid and got allowance from my parents I definitely did not give it to anyone, so the fact that Frank did shows you how responsible he is. I also think it is very nice of Frank to read to Mr. Timmony. Even after Mr. Timmony is sent to the psych ward Frank still wants to read to him and does everything in his power so that Mr. Timmony can have his books. I agree with Kelly when she says she finds it very sad that Frank thought the hospital was more enjoyable than his house because it was clean and he got food. I just think it is really sad that anyone would be more comfortable in a hospital than in their own home. I really hope life gets better for Frank as the book continues.
ReplyDeleteAgain, Angela gave birth to another baby, Alphonsus. In chapters 6-8, I see the development in Frank’s character. At times, it can be rather touching for me. For example, when he was slapped by his mom because of criticizing the baby’s name, he wanted to cry but did not because his father was not home and hence he was the man in the house. This sense of responsibility and love for his family is unusual at that age. Most times, Frank does not get as much attention as his other siblings, probably because he was the eldest and the “odd one”. Malachy Jr. is the better looking one, and when a new baby is born, the baby is normally the center of attention. Poor Frank! However, he still grew up to be a wonderful person.
ReplyDeleteFrank’s dad FINALLY got a job. I was really really mad when he drank all the “baby money” away. How can he do that when his children are starving? Frank got typhoid fever and nearly died. Again, I don’t think that his parents are as concerned as they would have been if it was the other children. When Frank bleeds, his mom was worried that he would ruin his suit. They did not send him to the hospital until he was almost dead. It was great humor at the part about how Frank realized he will not die, he is safe. Still enjoying Frank McCourt’s writing.
I loved reading these three chapters. Frank is finally begginning to develop emotionally has Han said earlier.
ReplyDeleteBut throughout chapters 6, 7, and 8 I could not help but think "poor frank...he should so not have to be expereincing this right now". Furthermore I found his attitude about having Typhoid fever amazing; he handled it with as much humor and grace as possible and that is something I admire in a person; being able to remain graceful and humorous under the most unforgiving situations.
I really liked Winnie’s observation about the closed-mindedness of the Irish people at that time- I never thought of it like that. Mr. Timoney was definitely different than the usual Irish inhabitant; he was formerly married to an Indian woman and was Buddhist. The Irish were stuck in their ways, especially when it came to religion and old traditions.
ReplyDeleteI think that these chapters showed a remarkable turning point for Frank. He is extremely conscientious, honest, and forward-thinking; much more so than most of his friends (i.e. Mickey, Quasimodo, and Fintan). He confesses his sins to the priest and is a hard-working kid. Having a job at his age seems inconceivable to us these days, but he never complained about it. He actually enjoys taking on new responsibilities and he has always wanted a job so that he could contribute more to his family. I was glad to see that after his father, Malachy, drank baby Alphonsus’s gift money, Frank finally reached his breaking point. After enduring all of his father’s atrocious acts for all of these years, he finally took a stand. That was the “straw that broke the camel’s back”.
Frank’s illness and hospital stay was somehow a blessing in disguise. He was exposed to books and stories thanks to Patricia & Seamus, nicer living conditions, and better food. Frank is truly a gifted child, he was even able to progress onto the sixth grade after writing his paper on Jesus living in Ireland. It seems as though the books and stories that Frank reads/ hears give him hope for the future. Obviously books and new learning has inspired him to become the person he is today.
Everyone agrees that Frank is maturing quickly through these chapters. He takes on the role of provider, in place of his father, in earning money to help feed his family. He shows anger for the first time after his father drinks the 'baby money' which demonstrates how he is beginning to understand the consequences of his father's behavior. In the past, it was accepted as the way, but he finally displays anger and the desire to seek revenge on his dad for this bad habit.
ReplyDeleteMr. Timmoney offers Frank the opportunity to learn beyond his school work. As an adult, he asks him questions, seems to stimulate his imagination and thinking in a way that his father nor the school masters have been able to do. Mr. Timmoney also helps to promote Frank's interest in reading and the desire for more. I think Frank's father did help to stir this desire by the daily ritual of reading the paper. At least that was one good thing he provided as a role model for Frank and Mr. Timmoney helped to further his desire to learn. I think it was a very tramatic event for Frank to lose Mr. Timmoney's friendship as he even stated that no one had spoken to him in the same fashion, not even his father.
Mr. Timmoney wasn't crazy, just stuck in a bad place due to his physical limitations and a little unhappy because of it. But it was a good thing for Frank.
His essay to pass to the 6th grade was impressive for someone so young and also demonstrated his maturity beyond his years. His parents somehow have managed to instill in him the desire to be responsible, compassionate and caring even through their poverty for he continues to think positive and not be discouraged by the bad things that happen to him and his family.
Comment: I agree with Jenn when she said she is mad but not suprised when Frank's father drank away all of Alphy's money. But I do think that it is good that Frank was able to understand that what his father did is wrong, which is suprising for someone his age.
ReplyDeleteFrank is very mature for his age and his intelligence in school is very good. I felt really sad when he got sick with typhoid, however i really do feel like he might of been happier there, he was staying in a more comfortable place with plenty of food for him. Everything there was better. I also kind of found it funny when Frank said that the doctor passed gas in his room and that made him know that he was going to be okay.
Another thing that I found funny was that Angela had another baby. At this point its not a suprise. She pretty much has a new child in every other chapter.
In these chapters, Franks character really shines. He takes on a job delivering newspapers with his uncle and puts up with him being mistreated, just to get paid the little amount he does. He takes on the role of reading to Mr. Timoney and really enjoys it. I agree with Kelly that most boys would find this a chore, but he does it without complaining and whatnot. Also, that he has a caring heart. He tried to find Mr. Timoney when he got committed to the institution so he could keep reading to him. Frank is not even a teenager and has all these jobs and yet his father can’t hold one. He takes care of his brothers better than his own father does, which is an upsetting thing to deal with. He did see the other side of his father though in the hospital. When he got sick, his father kissed him on the forehead which gave him hope, but yet nothing seemed to change. Frank never gave up in the hospital because he is a strong person. He also picked up the love for reading in the hospital. I also agree with Kelly that it is quite sad that he is more comfortable in the hospital than at home. It’s more clean there and he gets well fed. It must be a horrible thing to rather be in the hospital then in your own home.
ReplyDeleteThe point that Winnie makes regarding Mr. Timoney being ahead of his time and paying for his progressive thinking in a way speaks to the position that Frank is beginning to take in the book. He is now grown to the point that he is beginning to realize the situation he is in. Particularly the effect that his father’s drinking is having on each member of the family. The fact that Frank has taken on the responsibility of a job at his age means that he has had to grow up much before most children, even for the time frame of this story. Sadly he is quite poorly paid and treated in quite a rough manner by his Uncle Pat, but even this too seems to add to Frank’s quickened maturity. There are however a few lighter moments that every guy can relate to, including his visit to “Quasimodo’s” to try to catch a glimpse of his sister, which ended quite unsuccessfully. After the incident Frank comes down with a sickness and is sent to the hospital. The crowning moment is the when he realizes that he is going to survive his bout with Typhoid fever, when the doctor passes gas in front of him. This clearly meant he would survive because a doctor would never fart in front of a dying boy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kayla. Frank puts up with so much in these chapters and seems to be find with it. The poor kid is basically got to support the family just because his Dad is a drunk. At the job, his uncle is a huge jerk to him and pays him horribly. Then Frank finds a job he likes reading to Timoney, but then Timoney gets taken away for being nuts, and the family goes back to making almost no money a week. Then he gets the typhoid.
ReplyDeleteFrank is the man. Through all the stuff he gets put through he keeps the best attitude towards life. How he manages to not be pissed at his parents, Ireland, his aunt, the people that dump their waste next to his house, and pretty much everyone else in Ireland is beyond me. If I had to go through this crap all the time, I wouldn't be writing about it with the style and tone he manages to.
I enjoyed these chapters as it appears that Frank is really growing up into a nice young boy. He starts dealing newspapers with his uncle and puts up with being mistreated and underpaid. It really shows how good of a kid Frank is even with all the struggles he has grown up with. I find this very inspirational and encouraging. It was very nice when Frank agreed to read to Mr. Timoney as he could no longer see. When Mr. Timoney got hauled off to the nut house, I didn’t think he was crazy at all. Frank has to grow up so fast because he is basically the man of the family, with his father being the alcoholic that he is. It was truly sad when Frank was hospitalized and enjoyed living there more than he did at home. It was just an overall sad, poverty stricken era in the book.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was reading chapter six of Angela's Ashes one thing that I noticed at first and thought was odd was how Frank's teacher Mr. O'Neill motivated the children. Each day Mr. O'Neill gives the boy who correctly answers a difficult question right the peel of his apple. I almost think it is cruel to tease and try to bribe starving children into studying just so they can recieve the small reward of an apple peel, which is not even the good part of an apple. On the other hand it is a good way to try and get the children to learn. If they are hungry enough theyll try and study and learn just to get that apple peel. I also thought that Fintan was quite a character. His mother is very religious, and he seems to come off as a bit feminine. When the boys are invited and go over to Fintan's house his mother gives them food as Fintan promised, and it is funny because sandwiches with mustard is a fancy treat to Paddy and Frank.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter seven Frank's grandma decides it would be a good idea for his to deliver newspaper to earn some money and work to help his family. Uncle Pat mistreats Frank though and barley pays him. But then Frank agrees to read to an elderly man named Mr. Timoney for money as well. Angela is very happy that he has two jobs but I sort of think it is sad that he has to work at such a young age. But if I were in his shoes I would like to work and help out my family too.
A lot of things happen in chapters 6 to 8 that change my perception about many of the characters. For instance I think Frank's uncle might be one of the worse people in the book. I couldn't help but think that the uncle uses his disability to his advantage to gain sympathy in money. During the paper route he receives extra tips because he was dropped on his head when he was younger, and expects to be tipped too. He mistreats Frank by making him do all the work and give him barely any money at all. He even eats in front of him and has Frank wait in the rain while he drinks a beer in the pub. I think the uncle knows what he's doing and uses this as his crutch to get through life.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think I would be saying this but I've gained some respect back for the father. When Frank was sick and almost died, he was by his side until he was told to leave, but spending the money meant for the baby in a pub doesn't help. I've come to notice the father doesn't express his emotions but he does care. I became very angry with how the nurses treated Frank while he was in the hospital. I'm glad the health care system today is no where near as bad as it was then. I'm also glad that our society is not controlled or evolves around religion. I felt bad that Mr. Timmoney was declared insane because he had a different point of view on religion. So what if he laughed about his dog biting the nun. He saw it as something funny where as the society saw it as a sin against god.
I agree with Ryan's closing sentence. If I had to write about these incidents I wouldn't be as light hearted about it as he is. I wouldn't be able to talk about my parents in a nice way, and nor would I name the book after one of them either. I would've dragged the people who were mean to me through the dirt so they would hopefully realize what they did and have to live the rest of their life in shame.
Things are the same in these chapters. Malachy drinks all the money away. Angela keeps popping out babies. Every child in Ireland is starving to death, but one thing changed. A child didnt die this time around. Our main character Frankie almost came through and croaked on us. For being a sad story there is a lot of dry humor. The small adventures of Frank skipping school and eating apples and climbing up a spouting to peak at girls is all very humorous. Frankie delivering papers and reading to Mr. Timoney is very entertaining. I really enjoy the funny outlooks on life that Frank mentions throughout this story. It really keeps the reader engaged and enjoying the book.
ReplyDeleteAngela's Ashes
ReplyDeleteFrank still does surprise me a bit about who he is and his actions for his age as a young kid still. He grows up slowly and slowly, acting more and more like a Man and taking on a bit of a "bigger role" on showing his true self. He still sees his father using money that is for the family spent on alcohol " and drinking away the money." Now that Frank is getting older, he begins to accept the fact that he can't take on the family's name (reputation as what his father had) and needs to set a better example of what their family should be like. Frank tries to make a positive turn for the family by taking on his own job and slowly supporting himself. Although he still gets treated like crap and such from the family, he still moves on with life. I give a lot of respect and strength to Frank for doing what he has to do and not letting anything stop him.
I agree with all the other students in the class about Hunchback being dumb and a creeper for using his sisters and making money off of it. It just wrong and a dumb idea for a guy like him to do that. I don't think that's the way to go even as the last option in making money, which he probably going to use that in a bad or negative way for him anyways...
I am really enjoying this book so far. Frank is now at the age where he can remember everything and act for himself. He's very smart, and a great writer and shows that he's ready for the 6th grade by writing an essay about Ireland. He also gets sick and fights for his life and realizes that his father does care about him because he kisses Frank on the head. He also gets not one one job but 2! that's a lot for a ten year to take on.
ReplyDeleteI also do agree with chappel that it seems that Frank is getting taken adavantage of. He's ten years old and his uncle makes him do all the dirty work. Im sure his uncle could do something more or even find more help than just Frank. Doesn't he realize that he already takes care of his family, goes to school, tries not to sin, and is not helping his disabled uncle with probably pointless tasks?
Angela’s Ashes
ReplyDeleteChapters 6-8
I agree with Michelle when she says everyone believes that Frank is maturing quickly. I love that he is helping his uncle out with work, but giving all the money to his parents to help support them. That is extremely unheard of now because kids Frank’s age, keep their money to themselves and are very selfish with it. I don’t think I even started buying gifts for my family until I was like 16 years old. I think it is awesome that Frank even starts to get mad at his father when he drinks away the baby/family money at the bar. In that chapter it really shows how mature he is for his age, but you also see he is very angry at his father for this. I also find Frank very witty because when he is very sick in the hospital he says he knew he wasn’t going to die, when the doctor farted in front of him. Frank said No doctor would frat in front of someone who was going to die. I also found it really weird to hear that Frank actually enjoyed the hospital because he got to always eat. This kind of made me sad because it really makes me think about how lucky I am, just to have a warm meal everyday and decent living
Nick Cheyney
Chapters 6-8
ReplyDeleteI am stilling enjoying reading this book and I find it so interesting to learn about another culture and the way they do things. I enjoy our weekly readings and want to get to know all of the characters more. It makes me appreciate how much I have and how blessed I have been thus far in life. I think that part of the reason Frank is so well mannered and isn't down on himself and his life is because he doesn't know any better. He doesn't really how deprived he really is how much he is missing out of in life. I was really scared when he was in the hospital and touched when his father kissed him because I can tell how much his father loves him - maybe the most. Sometimes parents don't know how to show their children just how much they love them and I think Franks dad, along with my dad are like that. I think that his mother is still my least favorite character. She honestly disgusts me, I don't understand why she smokes cigarettes or why she doesn't get the money from Frank's father like she used to. I feel like their house is filthy and all she does is have babies. I thought it was really cute how Frank would read to the old man and I know that Mr. T was not crazy and was just understood. I thought it was really special how he walked all that way, just to be shooed away. I think that Frank will grow up and go places in life and I can't wait to read more into the story and figure it out.
I agree with Nick and Michelle, when they say that Frank is maturing quickly. I was surprised that he could read those stories and was able to prove himself into the next grade up. I think that Frank is an amazing young man and character and I am glad that he has been able to keep his innocence about himself.
It is evident at this stage of the book that Frank is becoming very mature. This is still stunning considering he is only at the age of ten during this period of the book. This just shows how he is forced to be mature in the living environment he has been put into unfortunately. It is apparent that he is becoming more aware of his surroundings as he is beginning to become angry at his father when he finds him drinking his life away, along with the lifestyle of his family. Frank also begins to work. Before I even understood the principles of why people worked, Frank was working two jobs. That is hard from me to understand that someone at that age could have enough responsibility to do consistent work for compensation. Despite what a child his age would desire to buy with the money he worked for, Frank decided to give his money to his parents. That seems to be very admirable for all things considered. One of the places I like the least in the world is the hospital. Frank got diagnosed with typhoid fever and had got admitted into the hospital. He found himself to be more comfortable in the hospital than he was in his own home. This is extremely depressing when you consider the whole scheme of things going on.
ReplyDeleteChapters VI - VIII
ReplyDeleteThis section of the book revealed a good bit. Along with the others comments, Frank is well beyond his age in my opinion. With two jobs at about ten years old that’s saying something about his character. Even though they may not be real jobs but he is bringing in more money than his father is. It’s sad that Franks Uncle Pat treats him like dirt. It was interesting though how Frank fought the kid when he made fun of his uncle. It’s sad when Malachy goes to the pub and drinks away the money for the new born. He must be in worse shape than I thought for him to drink the money for the baby. Frank becomes sick and things get sketchy for a while. I liked how he added the fact that the doctor farted in front of him and that was his cue that he’d be okay. Due to his sickness Frank missed a lot of school and had to repeat the fifth form. The essay he wrote saved him from that and he was able to move to the sixth form with his friends. It amazes me how much Frank craves for knowledge. When I was ten years old all I remember thinking about was having fun.
Jonathan Taylor
When Frank finally gets back to school, I am happy for him. But, his teacher is really odd. He has an obsession for geometry, and he takes it a bit too far. When the teacher peels his apple, he intrigues the students, but the trick is whoever gets the right answer gets the apple peel. I feel this is a good and bad learning technique. It is good because it makes the kids actually want to participate and answer the questions correctly, but it is bad because it can be a distratction. The kids in these classrooms are literally starving so flaunting an apple peel in front of them may keep them from actually learning, but I think in this case it motivates the children to answer his questions.I find Fintan very weird and creepy. He seems like a harmless boy at first, because he is so religous, but once you get to know him you find out he may have some serious problems. I found it very weird that Fintan gave them lunch one day, but ate everything himself the next day.
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