For the memoir podcast assignment, my group (consisting of myself, Matt, George, and Phil) decided to read a classic: Angela’s Ashes. This memoir is written by Frank McCourt, an Irish/ American author who recounted his experiences as a child. McCourt begins his story by portraying his family’s background. He explains that his mother and father were both poor Irish immigrants who had settled in Brooklyn, New York. Frank’s mother, Angela, had become pregnant with Frank before she had been able to marry his father, Malachy. Malachy, who was an avid drinker, was therefore forced to marry Angela. Frank explains that although his parents were close, Malachy often mistreated his family because he chose to spend his meager wage on alcohol. As the family began to grow (four sons and a daughter), money becomes more and more tight. It was the death of Frank’s younger sister, Margaret, that ultimately sets the McCourt’s over the edge and forced them return to their native country, Ireland.
Once in Ireland, the McCourts continue to endure hardships. Angela falls into a deep state of depression due to a miscarriage; which is only made worse after the death of her two twin sons: Oliver and Eugene. Their financial situation is also similar to what it was in America because Malachy continued to spend his paycheck and event began to spend the families welfare money. Event still, the McCourts continue to have more children (two more sons), leaving Frank with three living brothers. Frank portrayed his childhood in a upbeat manner, even though his mother often struggled to put meals on the table, his dad was an alcoholic, and he was often teased by his classmates for being dirt poor. He tells the readers about his experience fondness for his father due to his great story telling abilities, his adventures in school, his experiences with his extended family in Ireland, and his dealings with the Catholic Church.
When World War II began, Malachy, like many other adults males, traveled to England in search of work. Frank and his family hoped this would lead to consistent paychecks that could help to stabilize their household, but Malachy never sent any money home to them. Eventually the McCourt’s could no longer live off of welfare, and were forced to move in with Angela’s cousin Laman. At first, this arrangement is comfortable for the family, but over time, Laman begins to beat the children and forces Angela to sleep with him in order to continue living there. Shortly after, Frank moved out of Laman’s house to stay with his uncle Ab.
As Frank grows older, he takes up odd jobs in an effort to support his family. He also saves some of the money for himself, in hopes of one day returning to America. Frank’s most noteworthy job was as a telegram messenger for a post office. It is while delivering messages that Frank becomes acquainted with his first love and receives an off the books job that will eventually gain him enough money to make his way to America.
I enjoyed this memoir because of the messages it teaches the readers. What I found to be most important was that Angela’s Ashes portrays the idea that when you work hard, anything can be achieved. Frank McCourt was raised as a poor Irish boy with an alcoholic father and a mother who was often distracted due to tragic events and the need to provide for her family. McCourt was able to work hard, in school and at work to help support his family and make his way to America. The memoir truly portrays the American dream through Frank McCourt's overcoming of adversity.
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