Reading Reflction #2

Angela’s Ashes

Frank McCourt

Read Pages 280-309

                My reading is going better; I’m enjoying the change in the book. It seems that everybody is working hard so that Frank can leave Ireland/the impoverished lifestyle. Every page I read without Frank’s dad on it makes me enjoy the family’s progress even more. This is likely because when his dad is around things start going badly.

                Things have really turned around for the McCourt’s because they are living with a new man. The man however, is clearly taking advantage of Angela. It’s great that she would do so much for her children but I predict that the “free” stay won’t last forever. This is because the book is a memoir which means that everything actually happened and no real woman would be able to put up with that arrangement forever.

                A great development in the story is Frank’s new found love of books. It seems that this might indicate a brighter future for him. I predict that if he continues to read and go to school he could potentially get out of the impoverished lifestyle he is currently living. I love how it seems like everyone is cheering him on, I know I am!

                When I kept reading and the fact that Angela was having sex with this man so that they can continue living there became clear. I made the frightening prediction that Angela would become pregnant again, this hadn’t happened by the time I stopped reading however it is still a possibility.

                The whole book in itself is essentially a text to world connection because; it is a memoir so it mirrors events going on in the time period. For example there has been mention of the potato famine, world war two and the generally poor lifestyles of people in Ireland at the time. It’s difficult for me to come up with text to self connections with this book because the lifestyle I live is so different. I can`t even  pretend to know what it feels like to live day to day not knowing how you’re going to get you`re next meal.

                My favorite character in the book so far is the uncle that was dropped on his head. He is such an odd and interesting character. He has a job even though he is ``different`` he let Frank come and live with him in his dead mothers house and feeds him as well as earlier on in the book he let Frank help him out at work and gave him some pay as well. All in all he seems like a genuinely good character with nothing but good intentions.