why was angelas ashes called angelas ashes?

Answer 1

I read the book many years ago. Angela was the author's mother and the book was about his childhood in Ireland. Maybe he and his brother were what remained?

Aloha

Answer 2

I know this question is years old but I hate unanswered questions lol
In an interview, Frank McCourt explained that the book was called Angela's Ashes because the two books, Angela's Ashes and 'Tis, were supposed to be one book. As it worked out, however, they were split into two books, with Angela's Ashes ending with the word 'Tis' and 'Tis ending with Angela's ashes being scattered. Frank has said her ashes went to the ancient cemetary in Ireland where all her ancestors were buried and also to Queens, NY to her baby daughter's grave. Viewers of the movie have commented that, to them, the ashes may refer to all the Woodbines smoked by Angela, the ashes in the fireplace where she stared on the nights that the family had no food, or, more symbolically, to her children, including Frank McCourt, who are the "ashes" that Angela left behind her.

Answer 3

Angela is Frank McCourt's mother. When she dies she is cremated and he scatters her ashes. Although this does not happen in Angela's Ashes itself, it happens at the end of the second book, 'Tis.

I would say that Angela's Ashes is an appropiate name for the first book as it is all about her children growing up, and when she dies it is her children that she has left behind, they are, in a way, her remains, her ashes.

Answer 4

The Angela of the title is Angela McCourt (Emily Watson), Frank's mother. It's best not to ask why the film is called "Angela's Ashes" when neither Angela nor her ashes are central figures in it, as that question is not answered.

Answer 5

The book is the very sad story of Frank McCourts life, told on a time-line based around his mother. In effect the story is a catalog of the miseries and torments of her life. I think ashes symbolise this tragedy, which is why the story isn't called Angela's Life.

When people can't enjoy their food they say it turns to ashes in their mouths. Angela's life turned to ashes when she became pregnant out of wedlock and was forced by her catholic family to marry the alcoholic father of the baby.

Answer 6

Angela is Frank's mum...i believe the ashes comes from the fact that his sister died when she was a few weeks old and his twin brothers also died at a young age. Also his mum, Angela, lived in almost a permanent state of grief due to losing three children in a short space of time.

His sister is actually buried in a paupers grave in Brooklyn.

Answer 7

Because that was Frank McCourt's mother's name--Angela. Ashes probably came from the notion of the "ashes" of her sorrows in the story--she had a very difficult life.

Answer 8

Were the ashes Angelas? or somebody Else's ashes, Burt's perhaps.

Answer 9

Because when Angela died, she was cremated and Frank McCourt had her ashes. I had to go back and find that because I wondered why the book was called that. Anyway, hope that helps!

Answer 10

because her name was angela and her children died and hubby left hence the ashes