A Comparison Of Angela's Ashes 'And The Liars' Club

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Industrialization was a major development in the twentieth century and its social effects were topics of many literary works. The people who worked in the factories were member of working class. Assembly production became so popular among unskilled workers that they were assigned to repetitive tasks. The working conditions were very harsh, and the labor unions were formed to helped them. Because people wanted to earn more money for their family, parents often send their children to the factories.The Working class life concept is the main themes of the, “Angela’s Ashes,” “Rivethead,” and “The Liars’ Club”. The main theme of “Angela’s Ashes”, is the poor working class family who needs money and by only getting jobs could save it them from poverty. …show more content…

Mary Karr is the daughter of laconic Texas oil worker that her family was not really wealthy. She had difficult life but the major theme of the memoir can be how the characteristics of working class family portrays. Even though they were not rich, the “love” of family reveals in the worst of circumstances. Her childhood was very difficult compared to other kids. She was raped multiple times, but she did not tell anyone. Her parents got divorced but they went back together. Her mother was alcoholic, she got addicted to diet pills and she also tried to kill her children and her new husband, Hector. Mary Karr’s siblings did not like Hector, but when their mom tried to shoot him, they protected him. This again shows the family bond that they do the things that they think is right. Pete Karr, Mary Karr’s father, reveals as ideal working class father. He treated his children warm and likes to indulge them. He is also thrifty that does not like to waste money. As a father of family, unlike Malachy McCourt from “Angela’s Ashes” he knows what to do and tries to keep the family. He flew all the way to his children when they called him. Mary Karr constantly fights with her sister, Lecia. However, throughout this memoir, it shows that she cares her deeply. When Lecia got serious injured by a jellyfish, she was very worried about her that says “I wrapped my arms around my knees, bowed my head, and prayed to a god I didn’t trust a prayer that probably went something like this: Please let Lecia not die… Don’t let them chop off her leg either…” (Carr 115). Later in the memoir, she started to hate again. Not only just the family bonding of working class were discussed in this memoir, but the friendship of working class people were also discussed. The unofficial club that her dad goes to is the group of working class men father together and drink, talk, and discuss exaggerated stories. Mary Karr

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