https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0 Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt en-us 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC 2025-12-16 20:01:24 UTC hello@padlet.com vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557040 I enjoy reading pieces about one's life experiences, especially detailing a difficult journey he/she has overcome. As a result, I chose the memoir Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. The heartbreaking recount of his childhood is told through the eyes of McCourt, adding a dimension of humor and sadness to the text.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557040 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557041 The quotation illustrates a supposed turning point in the story. Author, Frank McCourt, opens his piece describing his father as neglectful and an alcoholic; however, following the birth of his sister (Margaret), the dad begins to change. As a result, the reader gains hope that McCourt's childhood was not as miserable as his opening quote describes it: "Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood" (11). Early on, McCourt's use of repetition sets the morose tone for his work, hence why the quote is a contrasting element, eliciting feelings of hope in the reader. Unfortunately, reader's hope was short lived, for the story took a devastating and somber turn. ]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557041 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557042 Leanv (noun): a baby, infant; child (from Irish).
Ex. The leanv slept contently in the crib until the sound of the doorbell woke her. ]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557042 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557043 September 23, 2016]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557043 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557044 DUE DATES:
9/23- pg. 47 (Chapter II) ✔
9/30- pg. 132 (Chapter V) ✔
10/7- pg. 216 (Chapter IX) ✔
10/14- pg. 363 (End) ✔

]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557044 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557045 September 30, 2016; quote ranges are (48-78), (79-109), (110-132)]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557045 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557046 Eugene, Oliver, and Margaret are the narrator's fallen siblings. The quote illustrates the profound sadness and grief Frank had to endure. The description of the fish and chips and toffee demonstrates the author's innocence, for he longs to have the luxury of food. Likewise, it can be perceived that Frank is jealous of his dead siblings, which truly illustrates his misery. The quote elicits feelings of pity for the reader as the story of Frank's childhood progresses; due to the vivid imagery, the reader is able to understand how Frank felt growing up in poverty with dying siblings and an alcoholic father.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557046 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557047 Jackdaw (noun): a common black and gray bird of Eurasia that is related to but smaller than the carrion crow.
Ex. The jackdaw fed her young in their nest on the roof of my house.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557047 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557048 October 7, 2016; quote ranges are (133-165) (166-190) (191-216)]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557048 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557049 Omadhaun (noun): A fool, someone who is out of their senses; simpleton. (from Irish)
Ex. Despite being valedictorian, Nora was commonly called an omadhaun by her classmates due to her lack of common sense.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557049 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557050 The author's reflection on his father illustrates Frank's internal conflict. The audience understands that he yearns for a healthy relationship with his father, but his dream is unachievable due to the "other sides" of his father. From a young age, Frank is taught to resent his father for wasting all the money his family receives from welfare by drinking at the pub. In contrast, he feels an innate connection toward his father especially in the morning; Frank describes touching moments the two share, where his father encourages Frank to work hard and move to America. At the young age of 11, Frank is forced to comprehend his multi-faceted father while struggling in poverty and acting as a father figure for his three younger brothers. The quote is representative of the author's mental journey and his growing maturity.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557050 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557051 McCourt's view on his father elicits feelings of sadness for him and his brothers; especially because Michael, only three at the time, was being conditioned to loathe and fear his father is extremely heartbreaking because Michael is not even given the opportunity to develop his own opinions about his father. The line also depicts the growing tensions within the family; the boys and their mother feel indifferent towards a relationship with their father. As a reader, you pity the author, for he feels that his father is a burden.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557051 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557052 The quote from nine-year-old Frank McCourt offers comical relief during his somber childhood. His ambition to go to America and be a "pioneer" illustrates his innocence as well as his optimism for the future. The whimsical tone of Frank's idea is the antithesis of the book, for the book is melancholy and focusing mainly on the hardships he endured. As a whole, McCourt employs both comic relief and pathos to add variance to the overall tone. ]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557052 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557053 The quote illustrates Frank's innocence; prior to the deaths of his siblings, the idea of their passing does not cross his mind. The tone also illustrates his curiosity with the world around him. He does not understand the adults who surround him, which results in such a traumatic effect on him when his brothers pass away. In contrast, the tone allows the reader to understand the Frank's worldview; although he holds many responsibilities as the "father figure" of his siblings, he still is a child, proven by how he reasons.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557053 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557054 The nonchalant yet effective use of pathos is very powerful in illustrating the endless and destructive cycle of Frank's father. It makes the reader feel helpless knowing that Frank and his siblings had a mindset of impermanence; they were never able to have luxuries in life because of their father. Every time they experienced the slightest sign of a change of luck, a week later the father would lose his job. In addition, through McCourt's descriptive language, the reader understands the shame their mom and the boys felt having a disgrace of a father.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557054 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557055 Quote ranges are (217-247), (248-284), (285-326), (327-363)]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557055 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557056 Looking back on World War II, the reader associates that time period with gore, brutality and inhumane actions. However, the Irish, especially the poor viewed Hitler's callous intentions as benefits for themselves. The quote by Frank offers a unique perspective of WWII to his audience. Rather than fearing enemy attack, Frank and his community of people celebrate Hitler's action as an opportunity for their fortunes to change, allowing their fathers and sons to go off to England to work in the factories. Unfortunately for the McCourts, the war does not bring them large amounts of wealth as they imagined, due to Frank's deadbeat father.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557056 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557057 Despite living in poverty, Frank still had a sense of pride in him. Although him and his family struggled with hunger, he was taught from a young age never to beg, in fear of how others will view you. The quote illustrates a turning point in his story, for Angela is so despondent, that she feels her only option is to beg. Begging is viewed as being a member of the lowest class of people, yet Angela has lost all shame. In contrast, then twelve-year-old Frank is heavily influenced by society and considers it disgraceful to be a beggar.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557057 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557059 Throughout the work, McCourt depicts his family's struggle with poverty; he often describes the lack of food and the necessity to steal, in order to stay alive. In addition, the majority of Limerick, Ireland was Catholic; they believed that god looked over them and cared for them. In contrast, the poor, like the McCourt's lost hope in their religion, due to extreme despair. The above quote is representative of the sadness they endured; they did not have the means to give up anything for lent because they had nothing. The melancholy message is effective in eliciting emotions of pity and sympathy. ]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557059 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557060 In one of the concluding scenes of his memoir, McCourt recalls on a regretful moment he shared with his mother on his sixteenth birthday; Frank arrived home drunk, a familiar scene for his mother. The phrase "just like my father" resonates powerfully with the reader. It is in sharp contrast with the majority of the story, which focuses on Frank trying to escape association with his father, who caused him and his family heartache and poverty. The latter half of the quote mentions ashes, which Frank's mother, Angela, was looking at, hopelessly. The namesake phrase "Angela's ashes," refers to both the ashes of her frequent "Woodbines," cigarettes and also they symbolize despair. When Frank emulates his father's behavior, Angela feels hopeless. In addition, the ever present ashes are symbols of Frank's family's constant struggle.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557060 vfitzgerald1 https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557061 Adroit (adjective):  clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
Ex. Alexander the Great was a adroit leader, for he conquered vast lands throughout Africa and the Middle East.]]> 2017-12-06 01:53:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vfitzgerald1/54zooj7u97u0/wish/213557061