Sunday, January 11, 2009

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.

5 comments:

Mackenzie E. said...

This is a great example of how there can be good that comes from the bad. Often times the rich end up unhappy while the poor have a better understanding of happiness. This is a good example of this. It shows that you don't need money to be happy in life.

christina said...

I think it's amazing how not only do they have a joyful christmas without much, but they spent half the day getting made fun of by other kids. They really did pull through and are a great example of how to truly be happy. They took Christmas for what it really is and being with their family as a oppose to the material thing most tend to see it as. Nice job!

Anonymous said...

I agree with Mackenzie and Christina. Even though they live in a dire situation, the McCourt boys are able to make good choices and stay good people. You would think Frank would try and tease the other boys, but he does the right thing and ignores their taunts. I agree that although being poor has had an incredibly negative impact on Frank's life, it has also made him a stronger and a better person.

Spenser said...

Great post. You really put a lot of your belifs adn ideas into it and I saw your point of view as the reader. I agree with Christina in that it is amazing that they can make a great Christmas on thier food rations and constant teasing. It takes a special kind of person to do that. Next year at Christmas I will definetly think about how fortunate I am. Nice Job.

Unknown said...

I love how the boys are able to enjoy a lovely family christmas, even with all the ridiculing they receive. Also the fact that they are able to stay out of trouble and are doing well in school is amazing considering the example the have at home.