Frank Mccourt "Angelas Ashes"
opinion Essay
727 words
Bednarz-Caraballo Sylwia
Essay 6 - “This is life…”
Reading “Angela’s Ashes” was very emotional. One would not believe how people lived in Ireland some years ago. And I’m sure that wasn’t the only place in the world where people were struggling like that. Frank Mc Court, the oldest child who tried to take care of his brothers the best way he knew, tells the story. He didn’t have an easy life. This poor child tried to do anything for him and his siblings to survive.
Looking at people I know and comparing their life to Mc Court’s lives, well I think that most of them wouldn’t even know what to do, how to do it, to survive. My main point: how is it that some people have everything they need to live and others have nothing and still find a way to make things work, not on a high level, but still. How is it possible that Frank McCourt and his brothers survived? In my eyes they went through a lot. How anyone would be able to do it now? I can’t see that happening. I don’t know if I could. Although, I’m sure that there are people living this way.
The McCourt family moved from New York to Ireland to look for a better way of living, to forget about their dead children, to try to have a regular life. Well, it didn’t work out. The father of the family was to caught up with drinking, instead of giving the money for the needs of the family, which would be just simple - food. When the father left to England to look for a job and never sent any money to his starving family Frank felt ob...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how frank mc court, the oldest child who tried to take care of his brothers the best way he knew, tells the story.
- Opines that frank mccourt and his brothers survived despite having everything they needed to survive. they don't know if they could.
- Narrates how the mccourt family moved from new york to ireland to forget about their dead children, to have a regular life. frank felt obligated to look after everyone.
- Opines that the mccourts were not alone, and that there were more families living the same way.
- Compares the story of roma ligocka's "the girl in the red coat" with the stories of the families during world war 2.
- Opines that some people wouldn't even be able to read "angela's ashes" because of the sadness of life, poorness, careless parents, and hungry children.
Related
- analytical
- Angelas Ashesanalytical essayFrank McCourt was born in Brooklyn in 1930, just after the beginning of the Great Depression. During this time, millions of people around the world were unemployed and struggling to survive. Franks father, Malachy McCourt, struggled to obtain work and lost it easily due to his alcoholism. His mother, Angela McCourt, being a good catholic wife produced five babies in four years, leaving her unable to provide the most basic care for her children. When the baby, Margaret, died due to the shocking living conditions in Brooklyn, Angela subsided into clinical depression, which went untreated. Other women in the building where the McCourt's lived looked after the children until Angela's cousins arranged for the family to return to Ireland.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that angela's ashes is not a tragic memoir, but up lifting, funny, and at times triumphant.
- Analyzes how frank mccourt's autobiography, angela’s ashes, paints a picture of both terrible poverty and struggles, but it is appealing and up lifting because of its focus on both humor and hope.
- Explains that frank mccourt was born in brooklyn in 1930, just after the beginning of the great depression. his father struggled to obtain work and lost it easily due to his alcoholism.
- Analyzes how mccourt's picture of brooklyn is cruelly miserable, with moments of gentle humor and irony in the first few chapters of the text.
- Describes how malachy mccourt's family lived in a succession of substandard flats and houses characterized by poor sanitation and lack of electricity. he was discriminated against because of his northern name and accent.
- Analyzes how humor derived from religious practices such as taking the wafer at mass, and the children's sins were also sources of humor for the priests. poverty reduced the family to other slapstick situations.
- Analyzes how frank is evicted from the public library for reading a book about sex left on the table. he really wanted to read butlers life of the saints but was enticed by the book that shocked the librarian.
- Analyzes how frank promised to support his family and dreamed of returning to america. his father encouraged him to get a good job in the land of opportunity.
- Explains that mccourt's hope of a better future was shared by his father, brother malachy, and uncle pa sheehan, but it was frank that had the determination to work at any job available and to save money even if his family starved.
- Analyzes how angela's ashes depicts unrelenting poverty and the terrible consequences for individuals living in dirtiness. frank mccourt shows that there is humor in life, no matter how desperate the situation is.
1299 wordsRead More - Huckleberry Finn Decision Analysisanalytical essayThe biggest decision in Frank McCourt's life was when he leaves Laman Griffin’s house. The outcome of this event is that Frank moves into his Uncle Ab’s house, and he doesn’t know how he is going live until he starts his job. “He says there’s no food in this house, not a scrap of bread, and when he falls asleep I take
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the characters in angela's ashes, the crucible, and the adventures of huckleberry finn have made major decisions.
- Opines that frank mccourt's biggest decision was when he left laman griffin’s house. he moved into his uncle ab, who only had enough money for himself.
- Analyzes how john proctor, from the crucible, decided not to sign the confession document because he had nothing to lose. he died a truthful man and was hung. both choices had equal consequences.
- Analyzes how huck finn's decision to not turn jim in on the river was the biggest decision in his life. he knew society wanted him to turn him in, but he knew it wasn't right.
- Analyzes how the characters in angela's ashes, the crucible, and adventures of huckleberry finn had a lot of courage to do what they did.
775 wordsRead More - Living in poverty and not being able to meet basic needs leads the characters to result to desperate measures such as stopping Frank McCourt’s education and taking a job to support the family. Frank is forced to take the job mostly because his father is an alcoholic and uses all the dole money and his wages to buy beer instead of feeding his family. Frank describes this pattern of drinking away the money by saying " When Dad comes home with the drink smell there is no money and Mam screams at him till the Twins cry."(42) This situation lasts until Mr.McCourt leaves to work in England and is never heard from again which forces Frank to take a job at fourteen years old. Frank takes on the role of the head of the family proudly and comments " Its hard to sleep when you know you know the next day you’re fourteen and starting your first job as a man." (p.309) Frank’s ability to provide financial stability leads to greater comfort and living conditions for the family.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how frank mccourt's autobiography, angela’s ashes, tells the life of his family while living in limmerick, ireland during the 1930s and 40s.
- Analyzes how living in poverty leads to desperate measures such as stopping frank mccourt's education and taking a job to support the family.
- Analyzes how mrs. mccourt begs charities and steals for the family's well-being. the butcher asks her for black pudding and tripe, and the children pick up coal from a road on christmas day.
- Analyzes how the mccourt children would rather steal than beg for what they needed. frank and his brothers steal food and money when situations become desperate and their parents provide no support.
- Analyzes how living in poor housing influences the mccourt family's thoughts and actions. most of the houses the family lives in are shabby and unsanitary and promote their unhealthiness.
- Analyzes how the mccourts' houses are cold, damp, and lice infected, which leads to sickness and discomfort for the family. they are forced to take wood from the wall to keep a fire going.
- Analyzes how the mccourts find little hospitality in their extended family or the people of limmerick, ireland during the depression.
- Analyzes how aunt aggie's assistance is more than help given by mr. mccourt’s side of the family. the family arrives in ireland and needs a place to settle and live.
- Explains that the people of limmerick, ireland, have strong prejudices against the poor. the family is constantly tormented because of shabby clothes or poor housing and having to ask charities for help.
- Advises keeping an eye on mcgrath's for she will cheat you on the weight. she'll put stuff on a scale with the paper hanging down behind the counter where she thinks you can't see it.
- Analyzes how the mc.court family discriminates against poor children because of the poverty they live in.
- Analyzes how the various settings of angela's ashes influence the mccourt family’s actions and lifestyle in various ways.
1392 wordsRead More - Angelas Ashesanalytical essayPeople always say, you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, and Frank McCourt is certainly an example of this. Throughout the book, he is constantly denied access to opportunities that will help to better his life because of his indigent appearance. His failed attempt to become an alter boy is one example of this. Yet he keeps fighting and striving to succeed, instead of just giving up. He also had to deal with the fact that his brother, Malachy, who he was closest to, was better looking and received more attention than him. Although this confused Frank as a young child, he coped very well, and was able to believe in himself, even as the less attractive brother. Because he had to deal with all of this, he appreciated his minor achievements, like when his team, “The Red Hearts of Limerick”, beat a team of wealthy boys in a soccer game. Frank scores the winning goal, and thinks this can only mean good things because “God or the blessed Virgi...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how frank mccourt's book, angela’s ashes, is a good example of perseverance. he is constantly limited by his poverty and his mother constantly try to stretch the family budget.
- Analyzes how frank mccourt is denied opportunities because of his indigent appearance. his failed attempt to become an alter boy is one example of this.
- Analyzes how frank overcomes the struggles of hunger and taught him the value of hard work.
- Analyzes how frank experiences his share of sadness relating to several deaths of those close to him. the death of his lover theresa demonstrates frank’s devotion to his religion.
776 wordsRead More - Marxism In Angela's Ashesanalytical essayIreland is described as, “Poverty; the shiftless loquacious alcoholic father; the pious defeated mother moaning by the fire; pompous priests; bullying schoolmasters; the English and the terrible things they did to us for eight hundred long year” (9). The family lived in poor and life threatening conditions. Eleven families shared one lavatory which was closest to the McCourt family door. The lavatory is never cleaned and can kill them from all the diseases (112-113). Although the conditions were bad they couldn’t move it was the cheapest and most affordable place they could find for six shillings a week. Malachy Sr. suggest they clean the lavatory themselves but they can’t afford coal and he is too prideful to pick it up off of the road (69). The McCourt’s couldn’t afford safe food, Malachy and Frank had to resort to filling the twin's bottles with water and sugar, and sometimes with stale bread, and sour milk
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how angela, the mother of frank mccourt, is an antagonist. she blames malachy sr. for all of their problems.
- Explains that malachy mccourt sr. was an alcoholic and couldn't keep a job to support his family. he drinks excessively to cope with the pain of his children's deaths.
- Analyzes how the catholic church played a major role in frank's guilt. frank struggled throughout his childhood with sexual thoughts and constantly felt as though his thoughts were sinful because of his catholic upbringing.
- Analyzes how poverty and hunger serve as antagonists because the memoir takes place during the great depression. the mccourt family lived in poor and life-threatening conditions.
- Analyzes how the mcnamara sisters aren't concerned about the well-being of the kids or angela, but about how their destitution affects them and their social status.
- Explains that tough life experiences can teach a person many things about themselves and all of the things they can overcome. frank mccourt never gave up and kept on striving to achieve his goal.
1254 wordsRead More - Ireland: a new life for the McCourtsanalytical essay...conclusion, the McCourt’s decision was appropriate because concerning both, North American and Irish historical contexts at the time, Ireland was a rising country while the United States declined: hope was not present within the North Americans but it was in the Irish. In the psychological aspect, Frank’s family was willing to rebuild their life after the loss of Margaret and the progressive depression of Angela. They needed a new place to begin their lives.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the mccourts' decision to leave north america and return to ireland in "angela's ashes", which might be contradictory in certain terms and positive in others.
- Explains that the united states, the world's economic power, was one of the most affected nations by the great depression. malachy could not get any work to support his family due to the difficult situation.
- Explains that ireland was facing its own conflict with the british empire. the british demanded more taxes and goods in order to sign an official independence.
- Opines that the mccourts' decision to leave the country would be appropriate considering the effects of the depression in the united states.
- Explains that the mccourts' true homeland was in limerick, not new york. they felt strongly connected to ireland and found there the perfect place to start a new life.
- Analyzes how the mccourts chose the country that offered them more opportunities at the time. de valera assumed the task of rebuilding a country and gave hope to irish.
- Concludes that the mccourt decision was appropriate because ireland was a rising country while the united states declined. frank's family was willing to rebuild after the loss of margaret and the progressive depression of angela.
- Cites a brief history of ireland, retrieved from http://www.localhistories.org/irehist.html.
667 wordsRead More - A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swiftanalytical essayIn the 1700s, English landlords taxed the Irish land resulting in countless unemployed Irish. Several traveled to America in search of work, but most were driven to poverty. In response to the increasing issue, Swift argues that by eating the children at a prime age of one, the parents of these children can sell them as a source of food, ending hunger. Appealing to the poor in Ireland, Swift argues that by following this proposal, the Irish can change their ways of living and can prevent their children from evolving into burdensome beggars such as themselves. Swift applies facts and statistics along with emotional appeals to support the argument he is making as he assumes the Irish will suppo...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes jonathan swift's article entitled "a modest proposal," which proposes a solution to the poverty issue sweeping ireland.
- Analyzes how swift argues that by eating children at a prime age, the irish can change their ways of living and prevent their children from becoming burdensome beggars.
- Analyzes how swift is personified as a man whose intentions are directed towards bettering his country and providing relief for the poor and elderly.
- Analyzes how swift acknowledges that others may have numerous other ideas to solve the issue, but does not fairly look upon such solutions because he has such high opinion of his own idea.
- Analyzes how swift presents a character of stubbornness in his writing, unable to recognize the good that can result from other problem-solving proposals.
- Analyzes how swift's "a modest proposal" has potential to eliminate poverty and hunger that has stricken ireland. he has yet to solve the resulting issues of a declining population and lasting support.
526 wordsRead More - While the speaker’s proposal to put children on the menu to solve the Irish people’s destitution is not to be taken literally, Swift’s underlying message – a criticism of society and the mistreatment of one class of human beings by another – is.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how swift's "a modest proposal" uses aristotle’s various modes of persuasion to the fullest to effectively criticize the faults of both the wealthy elite and the poverty-stricken irish.
- Analyzes how the speaker begins his proposal with a paragraph that speaks of the irish with an earnest and compassionate tone.
- Opines that a young healthy child well nursed is delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roast, baked, or boiled.
- Analyzes how the proposer surges onward, satiating all possible arguments against his proposal with sound logic. statistics such as how many babies per poor couple will be born give the reader the impression that he is a reliable source of information.
- Analyzes how a first-person narrator's "proposal" gives the impression that the "i" is an anonymous persona created to be knocked down because of the ludicrous nature of his proposal.
- Analyzes how the proposer's argument is based on the fact that he ignores the possible moral consequences by dehumanizing the children, mirroring the treatment with which the wealthy elite handles the irish.
- Opines that swift's underlying message is a criticism of society and the mistreatment of one class of human beings by another.
- Describes the works of cora frazier, adam kissel, and jonathon swift in the norton anthology of english literature.
710 wordsRead More - A Modest Proposal a Rhetorical Analysisanalytical essayIn Swift’s satirical essay he stated the main issue to be the hunger and starvation of Irish country and their lack of money to support oneself. He said the complication was they themselves don’t have food, to many families in poverty, and that the Englishman took their land and charging high prices for rent. Swift makes this argument because he too is an Irish men and he struggles to see his fellow men parish in the streets. He desires his people to stand up against England and take back what’s theirs. He argues that the Irish...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that swift's satire "a modest proposal" was written in 1729 to enlighten the citizens of ireland about their hardship and suffering.
- Analyzes swift's satirical essay about the hunger and starvation of irish country and their lack of money to support oneself. he desires his people to stand up against england and take back what’s theirs.
- Analyzes how swift projects himself to be the person that everyone will come to and be faithful to irish people. he shows respect and likability to the irish citizens, but has not shown respect to opposing views.
- Analyzes how swift belittles opposing views in his satire essay. like the englishman, he criticizes them for what they did in the irish land, and insults the catholics.
- Disagrees with the argument on why to sell the babies for food and taking back their land from the england. they agree that they should help each other with poverty problem and stand up for one another.
582 wordsRead More - Rhetorical Analysis: A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swiftanalytical essayA “Modest Proposal” is written by a man who had been exiled from England and forced to live among Irish citizens for many years during which he observed major problems in Ireland that needed a solution. The writer of this piece is Jonathan Swift, and in his proposal, “The Modest Proposal,” Swift purpose is to offer a possible solution to the growing problem of the homeless and poverty stricken women and children on the streets of Ireland. Swift adopts a caring tone in order to make his proposal sound reasonable to his audience, trying to convince them that he truly cares about the problems facing Ireland’s poor and that making the children of the poor readily available to the rich for entertainment and as a source of food would solve both the economic and social problems facing Ireland.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how jonathan swift's "modest proposal" aims to solve the growing problem of the homeless and poverty-stricken women and children on the streets of ireland. swift adopts a caring tone in order to convince his audience that he truly cares about the problems facing the poor.
- Analyzes jonathan swift's argument that the poor of ireland could stop being a burden by selling their children to the wealthy for consumption and entertainment.
- Analyzes how swift's sarcasm is repetitive, mixed with humor, irony, exaggeration, and ridicule while offering no real acceptable solutions to the problem. swift shows respect for opposing views, but is quick to disprove them.
- Analyzes swift's argument that his proposal will solve all of the problems facing ireland, including overpopulation, hunger, and homelessness.
- Analyzes how swift's argument evokes sorrow, disgust, and ultimately hope by placing listeners/readers in a place of seeing the problem with their own eyes.
- Analyzes how swift acknowledges opposing claims and evidence, but he doesn't state how such views are wrong and his own are correct.
- Analyzes how swift's argument is weak or flawed because of the sarcasm at hand. his arguments, rationally presented, support an irrational solution to the problem.
1109 wordsRead More