Patrick Gregorek's Third Reader Response

Dear Caityln and Neil,
              The last few chapters of Angela's Ashes have been the most dramatic in my opinion. Then again, throughout the entire book, the situation of the Mccourts only seemed to be worstening more and more. But at this point in the reading, I almost feel like the Mccourts have adopted me (just what they need, another child) and I am suffering with them. Every hill they must climb I feel that I am climbing with them at this point. I don't even know where to begin as to how I felt while reading lately. I suppose I will start off with Frank's father, Malachy. It was a real struggle to read some points of these chapters, as I was just about ready to skip a few pages and pick up on a lighter note. But I knew that I need to recognize the pain the Mccourts are enduring. After all, the intent is to recognize how Irish culture affects the Mccourts. At this point, I know it does not need to be stated that Malachy is uncontrollably addicted to "the pint" as Frankie would call it. And this excessive addiction is severely damaging the living style of the Mccourts.
              As you know, Malachy has traveled to England to work in a factory during the war, which the Mccourts saw as an amazing opportunity for better living conditions. Yet, Malachy lets his family down, yet, again. The irish citizens who are working in England ship their money back to the family every Friday. As everyone receives the pay from their husbands/fathers, the Mccourts wait every Friday, only to discover that there was no pay sent to thr Mccourts. Eventually, Mr. Downes, a neighbor who went to England with Malachy, arrives home for a funeral. "Mr. Downes says that Malachy Mccourt is gone pure mad with the drink, that he squanders his waes in pubs all over Coventry" (Mccourt 230). While reading this I wanted to scream out, "for the love of God Malachy, quit letting your family down"! For his oldest child's entire life, he has waisted all the moey he's earned from the jobs he could find on alcohol. Fianlly, when he's offered a job everyone in the time period would die for, he drinks all his wages! It breaks my heart to read these kind of chapters, it really does. But let's revisit the question I mentioned earlier. how does the Irish culture affect the Mccourts living style? Well, the Irish are typically depicted as heavy drinkers. I always thought such a depiction was stereotyping, but looking at Malachy, I'm not so sure anymore. What do you suppose the reason for his addiction is? If you do believe it is his Irish blood, why do you think the Irish are such heavy drinkers?
              With Malachy in England, there is only Angela to take care of four children. Unfortunately, she is not handling the task exceptionally well. Frequently, she does not give the children a healthy environment. She is often depressed, or begging, or acting in some form of another odd manner. It was by far the worst when Frank describes his mother at the beginning of chapter 10, stating "Mam sits by the fire, shivering and we know something is wrong when she makes no move for a cigarette" (Mccourt 235). Could you imagine if this were your mother? I couldn't believe what I was reading. I feel even worse for the children then Angela. This image would leave me in tears, and I believe the Mccourt children share a similar feeling. Even worse from this dramatic image, Angela takes her begging for living supplies to a new level. She starts going to the priests house to try to win his leftover dinner! Dear Lord! I wouldn't know what to do if my mother ever did such a thing! I understand that the family is calling for desperate measures, but just out of dignity, I would never beg a priests for scraps! Poor Frankie and his brothers. Frankie says himself, "This is worse than the dole, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Dispensary" (Mccourt 250). Even Frankie recognizes the humiliation of it all. The book made me very grateful for the loving, caring parents that I have been gifted with. But nonetheless, there are times where I am ashamed of my parents, even if it is my fault for such a thought. Have you ever experienced such a moment like Frankie's with one of your parents?
              Among dealing with the lack of a strong parenthood, Frank experiences multiple problems himself. First, he develops severe eye issues, as he gets an infection. the poor kid, he just can't catch a break. He gives a graphic description of the eyes (I was reluctant to include this quote), claiming "the sore spreads into my eyes and now they're red and yellow from the stuff that oozes and makes them stick in the morning" (Mccourt 224). Bleck! How gross! Yet, I feel rude critizing his appearance. He is trying to cope with a difficult problem, and here I am, disgusted by him. Alongside, he almost dies of the typhoid fever! But not on just any day; on his Confirmation day, right before his collection. This poor child, no money, and as he is ready to go out to collect lots of money, he is sent to the hospital. But not for a week, or a month, but for two months! Even when he is in the hospital, he befriends another patient, Patricia Maddigan, but she dies shortly after they meet. Frank Mccourt has come along way, and I feel like I don't have the right to complain ever again. Never have I had to put up with what he's endured so far. How about you? Do you stand with me? Or do you have other feelings?
                  Sincerely,
                      Patrick Gregorek