Independent Reading Log #8

12/3/12

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Pages 57-97

Summary of what I read: In this passage the McCourt family moves to their own apartment in Limerick only to find that the bed is full of fleas. Along with this trouble Malachy still can’t find a job and their family is dependent on the dole and the St. Vincent de Paul Society charity program to feed and clothe the family. One of the littlest boys named Oliver becomes ill with pneumonia and unfortunately dies. His twin Eugene, though he is still small, is devastated and looks out the window hoping he will come home soon. A few months after that Eugene passes away also. The McCourt family is devastated; they have lost three out of their five children.

Important quote from the text: “We grew up ignorant in Limerick, so we did, knowing feck all about anything and signs on, we’re mothers before we’re women” (McCourt 68). I personally think that this is an important quote because it illustrates the life of Limerick women beautifully. It is said by a woman who is at the St. Vincent de Paul Society. They had just gone shopping using the docket they got from the Society and she is describing to Angela how the women make one bad choice with a man who is charming but has a horrible drinking problem and they are then stuck in Limerick forever. Struggling to feed their children and make ends meet; always worrying.

Connections to the text: Once again I had a hard time connecting to this text because the McCourt family has gone through so many more troubles and hardships than I have ever had to go through in my life. The parents have lost three children in the span of a year or two. That is horrible and I don’t even know how I would begin to deal with that. How could you outlive your child? I cannot even imagine how painful that would be. I would hope that I would have the strength to move on with my life and stay positive for my surviving child but it would be extremely difficult. I would hope I could do that but I would never know until I was put in that situation which I hope never happens.