'Tis comparison to Angela's Ashes
Frank McCourt maintains his unique writing style throughout the recount of his childhood struggles in Angela's Ashes and his pursuit of the American dream in 'Tis. McCourt's tones of acceptance yet perseverance permeate both memoirs and shadow his relationship with his mother, Angela. Single-handedly raising Frank and his three brothers in an impoverished Irish town, Angela is forced to make ends meet however she can. Frank's upbringing in Angela's Ashes is filled with memories of lice, fleas, hunger, lack of clothing, and his father's alcoholism. "Have your tea and bread and be thankful," Angela concedes. Throughout the memoir, Frank refrains from commenting on his mother's shortcomings. "Mam did all she could," he sighs with love. In 'Tis, when the benefits of American life such as nutritious foods, gas for heating, and electricity are available, he becomes short with his mother for not enjoying them to the fullest. Alberta, his wife, offers Mam a cigarette. "No, these American cigarettes barely have any taste anyway." And when she makes a tuna casserole with green salad, Mam dejects, "... the lettuce in this country is tasteless. I don't know what these noodles are, but I'm not fond of 'em." Frank's irritation with
his mother becomes apparent when he becomes short tempered. "Don't you like the noodles? The noodles. Don't you like them?" he drills. I thoroughly enjoyed each memoir, but there isn't enough definition between the two to give me an opportunity to justly make a comparison of separate literary works. These two books could have been combined into one memoir, both having similar themes, writing styles, and narrative forms. 'Tis appealed to me at a higher level than its predecessor, because of the adult content and point of view. 'Rags-to-riches' stories of young immigrants have always fascinated me, but Frank McCourt kept me spellbound. I feel as if a letter to thank McCourt for writing his life down for all to read and learn from would not be enough praise for this amazing man. In my letter I would mention both of his memoirs receive a ten in my mind. In Angela's Ashes, the toils of Frank's mother were emphasized; however, McCourt's writing left me on the edge of my seat at the end of the memoir. I was less aware of the contributions of his mother, and more interested with what would happen next to Frank. 'Tis consummates the life of McCourt and creates, in my mind, a lasting impression of Angela McCourt's profound influence on her son's life. Frank's gratitude, and the love shared between a mother and a son, help me understand 'Tis as a memoir. The dialogue between the two at th
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 946
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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