Can you help me answer these questions.....Only if you have read Angela's Ashes? Thank You?

Question

1. How did Frank McCourt characterize his father in this book?
2. How can Frank write about his father without bitterness?
3. Which part did Malachy play in creating the person that Frank eventually became?

Answer 1

1. Frank's father is an alchoholic, and although he drinks to dull the pain from the death of his young children, Frank McCourt emphasises his father's drinking as an illness, and therefore something he cannot help. He also makes sure the reader sees the softer side of his character - the time spent drinking tea in front of the fire and telling stories.

2. There is little resentment or bitterness in these memoirs. I think this is because Frank McCourt is able to distance himself from the story by using the voice of himself as a young boy who simply reports on events without forming opinions. The adult writer is then able to offer a deeper and more adult perspective - he can view his father from a distance. He can perhaps appreciate that his father's gift for storytelling has lead to him being able to write his memoirs.

3. Although Malachy does not provide for his family, he is able to give Frank one very important thing: a story. Frank has inherited his father's storytelling gifts which redeems the pain of his childhood.

Answer 2

His father was both terrible and wonderful. He was a terrible provider because of his drinking. But he truly loved his family, and was a wonderful story teller, as I remember. He was intelligent too, and very aware of the political situation. It's hard to understand how, time and time again, a man could let down a family he loved deeply, but drink ruled his life and love.

His father and brother are both Malachy. Which do you mean?

Answer 3

His father was pretty much a worthless drunk who didnt send support to the family. I think because his mother was so strong and took care of them that he just realized that his dad was not able to handle things and forgave him. Malachy was his brother and as such influenced him.