In the memoir Angela’s Ashes, by Frank McCourt, readers learn about the life of Frank McCourt as he grows up in Limerick, Ireland. The book depicts the rough life that Frank McCourt had, from the terrible diseases, the consistent deaths in the family, to the absentee father. However, as Frank reminesses about his life he remembers the good as well, such as sharing a pint with his Uncle Pat. In the memoir there are many themes that are presented to the reader. One arching theme thought the memoir is parenting, and how the family was impacted by the lack of fatherly guidance. Throughout the novel Malachy attempts to fulfill his roles as a father but ultimately fails, condemning his family to a challenging life. During this time period a father
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Malachy however, fails at providing any income for his family, and reveals that he is inept at spending his money wisely. A prime example of Malachy’s incompetence with money can be seen when he attempts to receive money from the IRA. When at the IRA Frank explains that “Mr. Heggarty says he’ll look into Dad’s claim and he’ll be sure to let him know what turns up. He’ll let us have money to take the bus back into the city. Dad looks at the coins in Mr. Heggarty’s hand and says, You could add to that and make it the price of a pint.”(McCourt, 52) Mr. Heggarty then rescinds his offer, leaving Frank and his father to walk back to his mother and siblings in the rain. In this line Malachy shows how he is incapable of holding onto money, all that consumes his mind is the drink. A responsible father would gladly accept the offer of Mr. Heggarty’s help in both, bus fair with the hope of keeping his child warm and safe, and the possibility of later receiving payment from the IRA to support his family. However, by asking for enough to get a drink Malachy has severed all ties to Mr. Heggarty and has now forced his family to seek financial aid elsewhere. Malachy futher show his inability to be financially competent when he returns home one …show more content…
In a young boy's life it is extremely important that they know that they are loved by their parents. In the work, when Frank is in the hospital he talks about his father and says “He looks at me, steps away, stops, comes back, kisses me on the forehead for the first time in my life and I'm so happy I feel like floating out of the bed.”(McCourt, 193) From this quote it is assumed that this is the first time in Frank’s life that he remembers ever being kissed by his father. This action taken by Malachy helps to show Frank that he is loved, and yet that he is already ten years old and at a time where he is on death's door, cheapens the love. Another time in the memoir where Malachy’s love of hi children could be called into question is right after Eugine has passed away. In the scene Frank reveals that “Dad is sitting at the back of the pub with a man who has a dirty face and hair growing out of his nose. They're not talking but staring straight ahead and their black pints are resting on a small white coffin on the seat between them. I know that's Eugene's coffin because Oliver had one like it and I want to cry when I see the black pints on top of it.” (McCourt, 86) In this scene Frank feels as if his father has no love for him or his brother who has just passed away. A proper father would be consoling his son in such a time of family distress,
Malachy however, fails at providing any income for his family, and reveals that he is inept at spending his money wisely. A prime example of Malachy’s incompetence with money can be seen when he attempts to receive money from the IRA. When at the IRA Frank explains that “Mr. Heggarty says he’ll look into Dad’s claim and he’ll be sure to let him know what turns up. He’ll let us have money to take the bus back into the city. Dad looks at the coins in Mr. Heggarty’s hand and says, You could add to that and make it the price of a pint.”(McCourt, 52) Mr. Heggarty then rescinds his offer, leaving Frank and his father to walk back to his mother and siblings in the rain. In this line Malachy shows how he is incapable of holding onto money, all that consumes his mind is the drink. A responsible father would gladly accept the offer of Mr. Heggarty’s help in both, bus fair with the hope of keeping his child warm and safe, and the possibility of later receiving payment from the IRA to support his family. However, by asking for enough to get a drink Malachy has severed all ties to Mr. Heggarty and has now forced his family to seek financial aid elsewhere. Malachy futher show his inability to be financially competent when he returns home one …show more content…
In a young boy's life it is extremely important that they know that they are loved by their parents. In the work, when Frank is in the hospital he talks about his father and says “He looks at me, steps away, stops, comes back, kisses me on the forehead for the first time in my life and I'm so happy I feel like floating out of the bed.”(McCourt, 193) From this quote it is assumed that this is the first time in Frank’s life that he remembers ever being kissed by his father. This action taken by Malachy helps to show Frank that he is loved, and yet that he is already ten years old and at a time where he is on death's door, cheapens the love. Another time in the memoir where Malachy’s love of hi children could be called into question is right after Eugine has passed away. In the scene Frank reveals that “Dad is sitting at the back of the pub with a man who has a dirty face and hair growing out of his nose. They're not talking but staring straight ahead and their black pints are resting on a small white coffin on the seat between them. I know that's Eugene's coffin because Oliver had one like it and I want to cry when I see the black pints on top of it.” (McCourt, 86) In this scene Frank feels as if his father has no love for him or his brother who has just passed away. A proper father would be consoling his son in such a time of family distress,