Dear Caitlyn and Patrick,
This crucial section of the book shows the aging and maturity of Frank who in my opinion has taken a fatherly role in the family. However, he makes stupid choices and allows poor role models to pressure him into doing things he shouldn't. One of these people, Mikey Molloy, is the one who knows all of the "dirty" talk. He tells Frank, "That thing about dying for the Faith is all a cod... I wouldn't die for Ireland or the Faith" (McCourt 187). Mikey is four years older than Frank, and Frank looks up to him like the one who knows everything. I can relate this to my own life, how when we were kids, there was the cool, tough guy that everybody listened to and admired. Well Mikey is one of those people, and causes Frankie to make some poor decisions. Do you remember anyone like that from your childhood? Also, I was extremely shocked when chapter 8 opened up with Frank telling us he is ready to make his Confirmation at ten years old. This is shocking!!! I'm fifteen and haven't made my Confirmation yet, and neither have you two! Another thing that blows my mind is how he received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick when he was just ten years old. He had quite a bit enstilled upon him at such a young age, and amazingly, he turned out okay. Can you imagine being so close to death at such a young age? Jeez, things like this have made me notice that times were really different back them. Do you agree?
I have also noticed that there are many similarities and differences in education back then to education today. First off, schoolmasters commonly hit or harmed children for making the slightest mistake; these days, if anyone tried that, they would wind up behind bars fast. Staying on the topic of school, it seems to me that Frank has finally found a schoolteacher worth looking up to, that being Mr. O'Halloran. Frankie appears to appreciate how they are allowed to ask questions and he will explain the subject matter, admitting that "No master ever told us why before" (McCourt 207). He is also honest, and is the first teacher to admit to the young men that the Irish are not perfect, which I myself admire. I can compare Mr. O'Halloran to my eighth grade world history teacher, Mr. Mosczenski (hope I spelled that right!) He was a phenomenal teacher and always allowed us to ask questions, and he would answer them vividly. I enjoy this sort of philosophical, what-if questioning. Do you have a teacher like Mr. O'Halloran that you admired? This compare and contrast of education helps us realize how culture shapes our identity; we notice what is similar in our schooling, but also notice that times were different back then. Are there any other similarities or differences in education that you can pick out from this book?
In the weeks leading up to Malachy Mccourt Sr.'s departure to England, I notice that Frank and him have become significantly closer and that they are beginning to form a father-son bond. Frank tells the reader of the bond, saying, "Mikey Molloy stole Cuchulain, the Angel of the Seventh Step is gone someplace else, but my father in the morning is still mine... In the morning we have the world to ourselves and he never tells me I should die for Ireland" (McCourt 208-209). I think that Frankie is maturing, and his father is now able to talk to him like a young men, to talk about real-world issues and tell stories that Frank is now able to understand. Frank says, "I think my father is like the Holy Trinity with three people in him, the one in the morning with the paper, the one at night with the stories and the prayers, and then the one who does the bad thing (drinking)" (McCourt 210). I have come to realize that many Irish men back then were like this; in there were drunken fathers, which made their families poor because they "needed the pint." This is how the Irish were stereotyped as heavy drinkers. Although Mr. McCourt drinks to the high heavens like this, I think he is a role model to Frankie just as my father is to me. I myself have always been close to my father who is a role model to me. Why do you think they are bonding like this? Do you have an adult role model in your life?
I had many questions regarding events that unfolded throughout this section of the story. First off, do you think it was right or acceptable for Frank to steal the lemonade and food from around Limerick? Personally, I think it was okay because the family was starving- their father was drunk off in Enlgand, their mother was dysfunctional, and Frankie had three younger brothers to feed. In fact, I think this shows Frank's maturity at such a young age that I was talking about in the beginning. Also, why were Angela's mother and Aunt Aggie awful to the starving, sick, cold children? It seems they abused them and blamed them for the families problems, when really they were just born into trouble by two terrible parents. Then why does Aunt Aggie act extremely nice when Mr. McCourt comes home? And later on, why doesn't Angela want anyone to touch the trunk? Does it concern Frankie being a bastard child? This section of the story was obviously depressing, but is captivating and I truly enjoy reading the story. Do you have any final thoughts on this section of the story?
Yours truly,
Neil J.
Dear Neil,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you say about Frankie becoming a father figure to his siblings. When I was younger, my friends and I would always try to act like the middle school kids to seem cooler when really we were labeled as the "nerds". Also, I was once close to death, though not as close as Frankie. When I was 4, I was always really sick. I would eventually be diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At one point, my blood sugar was so high that I would drink 2 full bottles of water but yet still be thirsty, as this is a symptom of hyperglycemia, or severely high blood sugar levels. If my blood sugar went any higher, I could have possibly died. Also, on the subject of the differences, back then, everything was so radically different than today. I mean, we take having indoor bathrooms for granted, but back then, Frankie's street had 1 outhouse everyone shared. For schooling, I had a "Mr. O'Halloran" in 5th grade. Mrs. Rundlett told us that everything we learn in school will be used in life. She also said that if you do not have any questions about what you are learning, then you really aren't learning. I found a great article, written by Hannah McCarthy Mulhall, who tells about her life and schooling in Ireland: http://www.casperirish.com/hannah.htm .
I believe that Frankie and his father are bonding like they are because a son's bond with their father is a special connection they have, just like a daughter has with her mother. My role model is (no surprise) my mom because she's very hardworking and is always striving to achieve something new. Unfortunately, I cannot answer most of your questions because I too am asking myself these questions. My final thoughts were that this part of the story seemed to hold the end of the rising action and is getting ready to introduce the climax of the story.
Yours Truly,
Caitlyn