Frank McCourt. Angela's Ashes

Description:

ANGELA'S ASHES BY FRANK MCCOURT TELLS THE STORY OF AN IMPOVERISHED CHILD LIVING IN RELAND DURING THE 1930s AND 40s. THE NOVEL IS WRITTEN FROM THE POTIN OF VIEW OF A YOUNG BOY, AND IS A STORY OF HARDSHIPS AND DEPRIVATION. THE FAMILY IS GOING THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES, THE FATHER IS AN ALCOHOLIC AND THE MOTHER IS COPING WITH THE LOSS OF THREE CHILDREN. THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE FAMILY ARE UNSANITARY AND DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH. THE STORY TAKES PLACE IN A HIGHLY RELIGIOUS SOCIETY, WHERE CATHOLICISM CANNOT BE QUETIONED WITHOUT REPERCUSSIONS. ALTHOUGH THE HARDSHIPS THE BOY EXPERIENCES ARE VERY DEPRESSING, THE STORY IS TOLD WITHOUT BITTERNESS OR ANGER. POVERTY AND HARDSHIP ARE MENTIONED SOLELY AS SIMPLE FACTS OF LIFE.

Author Background:

• FRANK MCCOURT WAS BORN IN NEW YORK, BUT MOVED TO IRELAND IN 1934.
   
• AT THE AGE OF 19, FRANK RETURNED TO THE STATES AND EARNED A DEGREE FROM NYU. HE LATER ATTENDED BROOKLYN COLLEGE, WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS MASTERS DEGREE.
   
• HE RECEIVED THE PULITZER PRIZE IN 1997 FOR HIS MEMOIR ANGELA'S ASHES.

Further Reading:

Book Club Questions:

1. CONSIDERING FRANK'S EXPERIENCE AT SCHOOL, IS IT A SURPRISE THAT HE BECAME A TEACHER?

2. IS THERE A NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE CONNOTATION ASSOCIATED WITH AMERICA IN THIS NOVEL?

3. WHY DID MCCOURT ENTITLE THE NOVEL "ANGELAS' ASHES"? WHAT IS SO SIGNIFICANT ABOUT IT? DID ANGELA (HIS MOTHER) PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HIS LIFE?

General Reading Questions:

1. HOW IS MCCOURT ABLE TO CREATE AN INSPIRING AND UPLIFTING STORY FROM SUCH TRAGIC TIMES?

2. WHAT ROLE DID MUSIC AND LYRICS PLAY IN THE STORY? DO THEY CONTINUE TO IMPACT HIS LIFE TODAY?

3. ALTHOUGH THE STORY IS TOLD FROM A CHILD'S PERSPECTIVE, THE CREDIBILITY OF THE NOVEL IS NEVER LOST. HOW IS MCCOURT ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS?