Angela's Ashes Plot
... tales of Cuchulain and The Angel on the Seventh Step, Frank’s very own angel who also brings his mother babies. “Would the Angel on the Seventh Step tell you what to do, if you didn’t know what to do?” “He would son, he would. That’s the job of an angel. Even the one of the Seventh Step.” I know he’s there because the seventh step feels warmer Than the other steps… (Pg.125) After the death of Margaret, the McCourts move to Ireland where the situation only worsened. Frank’s father continued to drink the money away and most nights the family was left to starve. “I want ye to stand in the middle of the pub and tell every man your father is drinking away the money for the baby. Ye are to tell the world there isn’t a scrap of food in this house, not a lump of coal to start the fire, not a drop of milk for the baby’s bottle.” (Pg.183-184) Life for the McCourts was testing and difficult. The children wore rags for diapers, Malachy and Frank wore torn shoes in the winter, and Angela was forced to gather scraps of coal and paper from the roadside just to light a fire. Frank’s mother, Angela did all she could to keep her family alive. However, throughout all these tribulations, young Frank is determined that there must be a better life out of the slums of Ireland. He feels there must be more meaning to life than tormenting poverty, condescending priests and discriminating schoolmasters. ‘Tis class distinction. They don’t want boys from lanes on the altar. They don’t want the ones with the scabby knees and Hair sticking up. Oh, no, they want the nice boys with Hair oil and new shoes that have fathers With suits and ties and steady jobs. That’s what it is, and ‘tis hard to hold Onto the Faith with the snobbery that’s in it. (Pg.149) When Frank’s father left to work in England and did not send any money home, Frank was left to take on the role of father, brother and son. My heart is pounding and I want to cry But I can’t because my father isn’t there And I’m the man of the family. (Pg.182) Over the years, Frank witnesses the deaths of many loved ones, deaths of friends and the deteriorating health of his mother. However, Frank McCourt remains strong within himself and never gives up. He goes on with fierce courage and the determination to make life better. Even though his own health is in danger, he eats scraps from the ground and has to deal with the wild emotions of b...