Angela's Ashes

A detailed Summary of Angela's Ashes


Frank McCourt is born in New York City, where his parents met and where the story takes place. Through a course of unfortunate events they are forced to move back to Ireland where they are originally from. Frank faces many hardships because it is so hard for his father to keep a job, and his mother is so depressed after loosing 3 children. His father also was an extreme alcoholic and drank away most the money he earned to support his family, and when WWII came Malachy (father) left to go find work in England, and left frank with his mother (Angela) and his two little brothers Malachy Jr. and Michael. After the expected money from his father never came, Frank got a job and started working with the hope of somewhat trying to support his family. Though out his childhood a lot of things don't turn out very well for Frank, but through out the book it is still able to give you a sense of humor and light spirits. Despite many difficulties McCourt is able to rise above everything that has hindered him. He was incredibly intelligent and witty; he loved to read and did fairly well in school. Towards the end of the book Frank saves up enough money to go to America and bids Ireland an emotional fair well.


-Poverty- On the social scale Frank is pretty low, Frank is unfairly denied many opportunities. Although Frank is an intelligent, witty, and eager student, he is denied from becoming an altar boy, and his chance for further education was not an option. Frank had very little encouragement from father figures in his life and didn't usually even have money to buy decent clothes. Frank doesn't let this all get to him; instead he gets his pride out of small victories. The things that boost his self-esteem and are important to him things like beating a team of wealthy boys in a soccer game. Frank grows determined to prove that he can succeed and earn people's respect. Which causes him to hold a very high regard to America and some how sees that of a place of classlessness.

This is a very interesting topic in this book I think, while it may seem very simple it is actually very symbolic in some ways. Through out the book food and water is talked about all the time. It is mentioned so much in the book that a reader would almost get desensitized to it. Frank starts to associate the need for providing food with that of his own independence. While food is a necessity Frank's pride

Some common words found in the essay are:
Throughout Frank's, Jr Michael, Catholic Church, York City, WWII Malachy, Frank McCourt, frank's pride, support family, intelligent witty, frank's childhood, father frank,

Approximate Word count = 864
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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