Independent Reading Log #7

11/29/12

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Pages 26-56

Summary of what I read: In this passage Angela, Frankie’s mom, has a little baby girl. Frankie’s dad, Malachy, loves this little girl to death. He even stops his excessive drinking for her. She is a beautiful brown haired and blue-eyed little girl. Around her seven month mark she dies in her sleep. Angela and Malachy are heart-broken and extremely devastated. Angel just lies in bed all day and Malachy starts drinking again. Their neighbors come and help out. They feed the four remaining children and help them stay semi-clean. They realize that there is no way that the children can live like they are and they write a letter to the children’s grandmother. The Grandmother sends money for the family’s fair to Ireland which is the parent’s homeland. They arrive in Ireland and go to the grandparent’s house, but they are as lost and broke as they were in America and are beginning to have as hard of a time there as they were having in America.

Important quote from the text: “These children are running wild and where is the father? I hear Minnie whisper he’s out for the drink” (McCourt 39).  I think that this in an important quote from the text because it is said by one of the neighbors who comes and helps watch over the children after the baby died. The parents are either unresponsive or nowhere in sight and the children are in fact “running wild”. The children are hungry and dirty. The little twins drink water with sugar in it instead of milk and wear the same dirty diapers for days on end. It depicts how broken the family is and how in need they are of some parental guidance.

Connections to the text: I could not really connect with anything from this text. The life these children are living is nothing like the one I live. They have a drunk for a father who cares more about getting himself a drink than putting food on the table for his children so in turn can rarely keep a steady flow of money coming in. They end up going hungry a lot of the time and the roles of the care givers are given to the two oldest children who are not really old at all. My life seems to be the complete opposite of theirs and I am extremely grateful for that. In this book they are also living in the time of Depression which makes finding a job that much harder and living conditions that much worse.  

Dear Unrequainted Love in Athens, Greece

Dear Unrequainted Love in Athens, Greece,

            My dear you definitely have a problem on your hands, but we must remember that every problem has a solution; we just have to dig deep and find it. So you said that this man you’re in love with is being forced to marry your best friend who he is actually in love with but she doesn't love him back right? I would say that a friendship is definitely as important if not more important than a love affair. You have to remember that she is facing execution if she doesn't marry him. So I don’t think that you have the right to be mad at her. Try putting yourself into her shoes; what would you do? So, as far as your friend goes I would just say be as good of a friend as you can be; support her, and help her get through this and make a decision that she is comfortable with. She has feelings and opinions in this matter too. But, if a moment arrives that you could tell her how you feel about this guy, take it. Let her know how you feel and be honest about it. Honesty is key.

            As far as this guy goes; have you told him how you feel? Sometimes that can make a world of difference. You need to show him your personality and maybe he’ll realize what he’s missing. I know how you feel with this problem, I honestly do. Guys don’t see other girls when they are deeply in love with another girl like this guy is. If you really love this guy like you say you do, I think that you need to once again be honest and tell him how you feel. Whether it all will work out the way you want it to or not is another story, but we will always hope for the best. I think that if he begins to like you back you could find a way to make everything work out. Love will do that. It will find a way even in the deepest depths of a dark situation and love will stay strong even if you don’t end up being able to be together. Sometimes we don’t get everything that we hope for and dream of, but that never means that we should in fact stop hoping and dreaming. I think that you need to listen to your heart. Things will work out if you put your best foot forward and reach for the stars. Promise me that you will follow your dreams of being with this guy. Remember to never leave yourself asking “what if.”

Sincerely,

Abby

Independent Reading Log #6

11/16/12

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Pages 1-25

Summary of what I read: This book is written through the eyes of a child named Francis. So far he tells us about his family; mainly about how his father is a drunk and an Irishman. He has three siblings, all younger than him, and he tells of his life in Ireland. He states how wishes that his family would have stayed in New York where his father and mother met, were married, and where he was born. Their life in Ireland is full of hardships. He tells of how it is continuously wet where he lives; never dry. His family is very poor and very often hungry. When his father does find work he drinks away his wages, leaving Francis’s mom to figure everything out for the four children.

Important quote from the text: “When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while” (McCourt 11). I think that this is an important quote from the text because it really seems to set the mood for the rest of the book. It is said very early into the book and it really lets you know what you are getting yourself into if you continue reading. It lets you know that this man who is telling you his story has really lived a trial-filled life. He has met thousands of challenges along the way and he has survived through it all. This let me know that this book is going to be one worth reading.

Connections to the text: The dad in this book is a drunk who can rarely put food on the table for his family. From what I have read so far, he seems to take no shame in this either. He’d rather go and drink some whiskey than support his four children and wife. I do not connect to this text in the way that I know what it is like to be a child with a father like that, but the complete opposite. It makes me really grateful for how great of a family I have. My parents always do what they think is best for me and I always have a warm, cozy house to go home to and food in my belly.