In the first 90 pages of Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt many different things happen. In the very first pages the mothers personality, to me, is showcased. She doesn't sugar coat the truth from her husband. Especially when she says, "They get their appetite because they're starving half the time" (p. 23). This is important to me for many reasons. The mother could be passive and not fight with her husband and let everyone starve. Or she could do what she actually does and that is stand up for her family. She doesn't not want to see her kids in a bad condition and she will not let anyone have them stay that way. She wants her husband to know that he needs to get off of his but and get them food.
I was sort of surprised at one point in the novel when the father is at the pub with Francis. At one point a man says, "Here kid have a sip" (p. 27). This fascinated me in an interesting way. I know that back in these times some did give kids alcohol. What surprised me the most was that this man offered a strangers child a pint. I didn't know that actually happened! (I thought it was just fib). It was interesting to see how the bartender reacted. I was glad he reacted in an angry matter because no matter what, a young child should not be given any sort of alcohol in my opinion. That was not the biggest of the issues for me when reading this section but I did feel that it was important to share my own reaction on this matter.
There is always that stereotype, even in today's generation about the Irish and their drinking habits. Many say that they are all drunks and blah, blah, blah. I was sort of surprised when reading that a man said, "well, ya know, he's got the problem, the Irish thing" (p. 32). It made me realize that these stereotypes have been going on forever. I've come to the conclusion that maybe they are actually true.
At one point Mrs. Leibowitz said to Frankie, "and your poor mother and her sick baby" (p. 34). I gasped at this point. My first thoughts were "how does she know she is sick?!" I then thought about what was going to happen when this young boy finds out his little baby sister is sick. Another thing I wondered is would she be alright. I thought about the time period and the medicine they had back then. I did not think this baby would survive and sure enough I was correct in the end.
I thought about myself and other little kids when Malachy says, "what's a-?" (P. 48), every time his father points something out. I know that I have done this so many times. Little kids are just full of questions and they just want an answer for everyone of them. For me this whole "scene" just brings up experiences of mine and almost every little kids early life.
While reading through these 90 pages I got very upset with the father. Especially when he says, "You could ass to that and make the price of a pint." (P. 52). First he begs for money for his family and then he is selfish enough to ask for beer money. The sad thing is, is that this occurs even now. People waste the money they are supposed to use to keep their families alive yet they use it really for selfish reasons whether that is gambling or even drinking.
Towards the end of this section we see Eugene also get sick. That made me question somethings. First it was Margaret, then Oliver, and now Eugene. Does anyone else think that maybe Malachy is next? Or maybe even one of the parents? What I also wonder is how come one child is getting sick right after another? Is there some virus going around at that time? Or is it just a coincidence?
This book was more interesting than I thought I would be. I was expecting some book that I would dread reading! I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, the beginning was tough and confusing for me but I pushed through. I've ended up happy with getting this book. Is anyone else enjoying it as well? Maybe even more?
Sincerely,
Perry Joubert
Dear Perry,
ReplyDeleteI really like Angela's attitude as well! She (literally) can't afford to sugarcoat things, and even if she could I don't think she would. That poor woman had to face so much hardship and sometimes it's hard to believe that these things actually happened! I don't blame her for breaking down at parts, she had a rotten husband and 4 dead children. She was smart to stand up for them, like when she "marches in behind him and when the man pushes the money toward Dad she takes it." (78). He would have spent it all otherwise!!
You were also right to be confused when the stranger offered him a sip of his drink. The rules were obviously much more lenient back then, but this was still weird. The man was drunk, most likely. Really drunk; he had never met Frank. I was really glad when “I tell him Mam doesn’t have the money he empties the baby bottles and fills them with milk.” (27). The McCourt family was so fortunate to come into contact with people like this. The nice barman, the kind Italian, and their Jewish neighbor were caring people who wanted to help. Without them they would have been lost and beyond miserable.
I’m really enjoying it as well! It is very interesting; their way of life astounds me. It’s been made into a movie too, here’s a website with info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145653/ It’s not at all as painful as I thought it would be either. It’s one of those books that you could just “fall” through, and finish in a few sittings where you forget everything else that’s going on. The only thing, in fact, that prevents this is that we need to take notes! There’s a second book too: http://www.amazon.com/Tis-A-Memoir-Frank-McCourt/dp/0684865742 It’s called “ ‘Tis”.
Sincerely,
Emily Botelho