Outside Reading- Post #6

After Christmas Frank's father finally gets a job, but then looses it his first day. Then rather than returning home to his excited family, he spends all the dole money at the pub and comes home drunk singing Irish songs. Frank, Malachy, and Angela are extremely disappointed with Mr. McCourt and don't accept the penny he tries to give to them as an apology gift. Frank's school gets a new head master who hates answering questions, and there just so happens to be a boy in Frank’s class who loves to ask questions, so he's always in trouble. Franks amazing conscience helps him to send a message to his class mates. One day at school he finds a raisin in his lunch and every one begs him for it, but rather than giving it to the normal kids he gives it to the other poor kid in his class, Paddy. In a few weeks it's time for Frank’s first communion. He's extremely excited for this because he will get money to spend on the movies and sweets, but unfortunately he throws up his communion wafer and misses the money collecting part. They get to the heater and Mickey pretends to throw a fit and Frank is able to sneak into the movie. Much later Frank is forced with the decision of going to the university and getting an education or getting a job to support his family. He chooses the job so that his family can finally have an income that they can depend on. Throughout this book Frank has grown immensely as a person. He has an extremely difficult life and it would be much easier to stoop down to terrible and low levels; but him his mom and his brother are very good people and it shows through their actions. Frank selflessly gives his sweet raisin to the other poor and hungry boy in the class, doesn't retaliate to the teasing that he experiences, and chooses his family over himself. Frank has an amazing sense of what is "right" and is strong enough and courageous enough to follow through with his beliefs. I feel that Frank McCourt is an amazing role model for everyone. He had a terrible life, but grew up to be a successful, smart, and courageous man. This book was an amazing story and I would recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a great book!

McCourt, Frank. Angela's Ashes. New York: touchstone, 1996.

Outside Reading-#5

Some time passes as the McCourt family is accommodating to their new home, but with the dole money decrease things are still as hard as ever.  Two weeks before Christmas the boys return from school to find that their house had been flooded.  So they are forced to move in to the top floors apartment which they call Italy, because its hot and dry. The next day Angela goes to the butcher to get meat for the family to eat on christmas, but all she could afford was the meat on the head of the pig.  Unfortunately for Frank he had to carry the pig head home and on the way he saw some of his friends who made fun of him for his poverty.  On Christmas day the boys go out to fetch some coal scraps so that Angela can cook the pig, but they convince a landlord to give them real coal for free.  They then have to drag the coal home in the rain and are once again made fun of because of their poverty. The boys go home and celebrate a great, and happy christmas with their family. 

I find it amazing that these boys are able to stay true to themselves and stay out of trouble with all the teasing they are experiencing.  Unfortunately people judge others on their appearance and the amount of money they have, so consequently the McCourt boys are ridiculed endlessly.  The school is really making a difference in the boys lives, although they haven't made friends they are staying out of trouble and learning an education.  The McCourt boys are very strong and I believe smart as well.  They haven't had any good examples of how to act or what to do in their lives and yet they are two respectable boys.  I also find it amazing that this extremely poor family is still able to have a great and joyful christmas.  Usually people judge their christmases on the amount and quality of the gifts they receive, but that's not what christmas is about.  If a family like the McCourts can find the true meaning in christmas, and make it a splendid and enjoyable day, anyone can.  I'm really anxious to read about what happens next!

McCourt, Frank.  Angela's Ashes. New York: touchstone, 1996.