Dear Reader,
In the next 90 pages of Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt i was a little shocked when I saw that that the new babies name was was Alphonsus. I had never heard of a name like that before. Then, when Frankie says, "That's a stupid name. It's not even Irish," (p. 182) I had to look up where the name was from. I guess this name is either Italian, Spanish, or Old German. I thought they were all about Irish names because the father was so into everything about the Irish nation. I guess not.
I cannot stand this father anymore. Back in this time 5 pounds was $8.30. It doesn't seem like much but it obviously was. If $8 US dollars could get a family of five enough food to not starve than that crazy. Who would drink that much money away. What I don't get is why the bartenders don't stop them. I guess it is all about the money. The more people drink the more money bartenders get for their families.
I liked reading about the confirmation only because I have just recently made mine. Frankie's is obviously very different than mine was. First off he says, "I'm ten years old and ready to go to St. Joseph's Church for my Confirmation," (p. 187). That is four years before I made mine. At ten i didn't even think about making my confirmation. Its crazy to me to see how different their culture and religious ways are different from mine.
When Quasimodo got in trouble his punishment shocked me. I couldn't believe that a parent would punish a kid like that no matter the time period. When it says, "she drags him into the coal hole under the stairs and locks him in" (p. 189). My question is how could someone ever do that to their own child. Think about the consequences that would be given today if a parent did something like that. I don't think i can wrap my mind around it.
Wow! for the first time there is a nice teacher in their school, "Hoppy doesn't call us idiots and if you ask him a question he doesn't go into a rage" (p. 207). This is the first teacher that doesn't hate kids for wanting to understand something. The rest of the teachers that Frank has had shouldn't even be teaching children, let alone any person. I don't get why the other teaches got so mad. Don't they want their students to pass. Then again I feel like the other teachers wanted their students to feel stupid.
It is sad when Frank says, "If I were in America i could say, I love you, Dad, the way they do in the films, but you can't say that in Limerick for fear you might be laughed at," (p. 210). That is really depressing. You cant say you love your parents because someone will laugh at you? That concept doesn't make sense to me. Why would someone laugh at another for loving their parents. Don't they love theirs or is that not cool? I would hate to have that thought in the back of my mind, "I can't tell Mom or Dad I love them because someone is going to laugh at me". It is sort of heartbreaking in a way.
Finally the mother is done having children! I feel after reading, "Mam says, Alphie is enough. I'm worn out. That is the end of it. No more children. Dad says, the good Catholic women must perform her wifely duties and submit to her husband or face eternal damnation" (p. 216), that the dad was forcing children. I feel that especially after Margaret passed away he just wanted another girl. I think 100% that he is wrong for pushing children on his wife. Before I wondered what was wrong with for having all these children but know my views have changed. My blame is no longer on her as much but on Malachy Sr.
The grandmother gets on my nerves so bad! I couldn't believe it when i read, "Grandma says we could starve to death for all she cares" (p. 236). Who says that?! I know she may be mad at Angela for marrying a man form the North but that was over ten years ago. Plus, don't you think she could set aside her anger for the poor kids? I would have thought that a grandmother would love her grand kids more than anything even if her and her child are not on good terms. I never knew someone could be so heartless like her. Aunt Aggie and the grandmother are like two peas in a pod when it comes to how they treat Angela's family. For example Aunt Aggie says, "I suppose he ran away. Good riddance. If he was hungry he'd be here. Let him find comfort in a ditch" (p. 248). What person would say this about anyone, especially a family member? She sickens me. If i was her and my nephew ran away I would be up all night looking for him. I wouldn't dismiss his whole existence. I don't think that her attitude is influenced by the culture but i could be wrong. I just can't picture any human with a heart and compassion acting like this.
I like how when Frank starts working for the neighbor he feels like a real working man. I think it gives him a boost of confidence. He's always put down and looked down upon. Finally someone appreciates him and his work and other kids want to be him. That has to be my favorite part in the book so far even though he ends up not being able to work for his neighbor anymore. But that moment when he was happy helping this man was a great section of this story.
After all this time the father still drinks away this money. I thought England would change him in some way. I thought that after he sent that money one time he would send more. How wrong was I?! Even all the kids know that he had drunken all the money. I feel like when your kids know what a scumbag you are maybe you should change your ways. He is a horrible in the sense that he doesn't have the sense to actually support his family. Though, I really do think that he love his family.
Sincerely,
Perry
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