Do Now
 What do you know about Ireland or the Irish people?
With what stereotypes are they associated? What do
you know of the country’s history or their feelings
toward the English? Explain.
Angela’s Ashes
Frank McCourt
Ireland
 Irish culture is unique and is a huge part of the novel’s
plot.
 Vocabulary
 Songs
 History
 Refer to your handout on the history of Ireland and
the Great Depression’s effects in Ireland.
Frank McCourt
 Angela’s Ashes follows Frank until he is 19 and leaves
for America.
 He was later drafted by the Army and spent time in
Germany before returning to New York where he
attended NYU and received his M.A. from Brooklyn
College.
 McCourt taught English at McKee High School and
Stuyvesant High School in New York for almost 30
years before retiring and completing this memoir
about his childhood.
Frank McCourt
 Angela’s Ashes was published in 1996 and won the
Pulitzer Prize, the ABBY (American Booksellers Book
of the Year) Award, and the National Book Critics
Circle Award.
 Angela’s Ashes was adapted into a film in 1999.
 McCourt published ’Tis (1999) and Teacher Man (2005)
about his life after returning to America. Both became
bestsellers.
 McCourt died in 2009.
Themes
 The role of death
 A mother’s burden
 The divisions among social classes
 The constraint of the Catholic Church
 Irish sentiment toward the English
Warning
 There is sensitive subject material in this novel.

The story follows Frank through puberty, adolescence, and
into adulthood.

The plot contains realistic stories about what males and
females go through during these times in their lives.
 However, it is no worse or more shocking than what you
have encountered in movies and television by this point in
your lives.
 When it becomes necessary to discuss the importance of
these events and how they relate to Frank’s development, I
am sure you will all handle the discussion with maturity.
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter I, Pages 11-22, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What are some of the hardships that immigrants to
America face? Describe.
Chapter I, Pages 11-22

Frank recalls “Limerick gained a reputation for piety, but we
knew it was only the rain” (12). What does this mean?

Why do you think Frank McCourt does not use quotation marks
to show when other people are speaking? Is this style helpful in
telling his tale? Explain.

How does Malachy and Angela’s wedding come about? Does
Malachy wed Angela willingly?

What symbolic significance is there to Frank’s thought, “Malachy
has dog blood and the dog has Malachy blood” (20)?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter I, Pages 22-31, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 As a youngster, Frank is fascinated by heroes. Who
are these heroes and what purpose does their example
serve?
Chapter I, Pages 22-31
 Frank McCourt inserts songs and poems throughout
his memoir. Why do you think he does this, and how
might it help him tell his story?
 What story does Frank’s father tell him that Frank
considers his own? Why does he make such a claim to
this story?
 Describe Angela, and explain how she changes in the
first chapter. Is she a good mother? Is she what you
would consider strong?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter I, Pages 31-46, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What can addiction do to a family? How does it make
life difficult?
Chapter I, Pages 31-46
 In his book Grapes of Wrath, author John Steinbeck
states “If you’re in trouble or hurt or need – go to poor
people. They’re the only ones that’ll help – the only
ones.” How is this idea exemplified in the first chapter
of the book?
 Do you think Philomena and Delia’s assistance is very
helpful at the end of the first chapter? Is returning to
Ireland a good idea?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter II, Pages 47-58, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What do you think would have made Frank’s family
life easier? What could his father and mother have
done to provide a better life for their family?
Chapter II, Pages 47-58
 When the McCourts are walking through the Irish
countryside, Frank’s father speaks sharply to the
children for the first time ever, startling them. What
might this change in Malachy’s behavior signal? To
whom do the children turn, and why?
 Where do the McCourts spend the night before they
take the train to Limerick? Do you think something
like this would happen today? Why or why not?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter II, Pages 58-68, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Frank opens the book by saying that his family should
have stayed in New York. Seeing how desperate
things are in Ireland, what might have been different
for the McCourts had they stayed in America?
Chapter II, Pages 58-68
 What kind of living conditions do the McCourts find
in Limerick? What in particular would you find most
difficult about the situation?
 What is a “souper”? What sort of connotation does
this label have? Do you think it is a fair label? Why?
 Many people in Limerick have trouble breathing and
are constantly ill. Townspeople say they believe this is
due to weak lungs, the dampness in the air, the River
Shannon, and the ease with which consumptive
diseases are spread. Do you think this is true, or are
there other factors that might cause breathing and
wellness issues?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter II, Pages 68-81, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 How do you think it must feel to want to have children
and not be able to? Do you know anyone who has
struggled with this problem? How did it affect
him/her and his/her marriage? What are some
modern solutions to this problem?
Chapter II, Pages 68-81
 How do Grandma and Aunt Aggie treat the McCourt
family? Which of the two do Frank and his siblings
find more reliable?
 What effect does Pa Keating have on the McCourt
children and their father?
 How are the McCourt children treated at school?
What preconceived notions do the other children have
about Americans?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter II, Pages 81-90, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Throughout Angela's Ashes, Malachy's drinking goes
from bad to worse and this deeply affects the family in
a negative manner. Is Malachy's influence on his son
purely negative, or does he make a positive impact as
well?
Chapter II, Pages 81-90
 Why is Frank upset with his father on Eugene’s
funeral day? What is symbolic about what Malachy
does with Eugene’s coffin?
 How does Uncle Pat contrast with Malachy? What is
he able to do, despite his shortcomings, that Malachy
cannot?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter III, Pages 91-102, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 How has losing children affected Angela? How do
you think losing a child affects a parent, and a family
as a whole?
Chapter III, Pages 91-102
 Why does Frank’s father have such difficulty finding
work? What does he do on days he isn’t working?
 What are the two worst things about the McCourts’
living situation on Barrack Hill? How does Malachy
Sr. attempt to make the situation better? What else
could he do that would help even more?
 In what ways can Angela provide for the children that
Malachy cannot? How is Malachy’s pride ironic?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter III, Pages 102-112, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Discuss McCourt's experiences in school. Are you
surprised to learn he became a teacher? How do you
think his experiences influenced him?
Chapter III, Pages 102-112
 What effect does the “Angel on the Seventh Step”
have on Frank?
 What naïve preconceptions does Frank have about
adults and how adults see the world?
 Why do Frank and Malachy, Jr. reject Malachy, Sr.’s
offer of the penny? What does it show about Frank
and Malachy’s feelings toward their father?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter IV, Pages 113-123, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Frank spent the first four years of his life in the United
States. How do his experiences in America affect
Frank's years in Ireland?
Chapter IV, Pages 113-123
 Consider Mikey Molloy’s predicament about being
unable to take Communion. What does it say about
the Catholic Church that he believes he is doomed to
hell? How does this supposed damnation affect
Mikey’s plans for his life?
 Describe the relationship between student and teacher
in Limerick, and point out the positive and negative
aspects of this learning environment. Why doesn’t
this environment exist today?
 How does Frank show Paddy compassion on Page
121? What does this show about Frank?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter IV, Pages 123-131, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Why do you think McCourt titled the memoir Angela's
Ashes? How would you describe his mother's presence
in McCourt's childhood?
Chapter IV, Pages 123-131
 Why is Frank terrified to go to his First Confession?
What is the result of this confession?
 Frank’s priest says “Books can be dangerous for
children…” (127). Why do you think he feels this
way?
 How does Angela stand up for her son on his First
Communion day? What favor does Mikey Molloy do
for Frank at the end of the day?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter V, Pages 132-140, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 How does McCourt interject traditional Irish rituals
and mythology into Angela's Ashes?
Chapter V, Pages 132-140
 Why is the poem “The Man from the North” so
important to Angela? Why does it make her laugh
and cry?
 Why is Grandma reluctant to allow Bill Galvin to live
in her house? Why are people from southern Ireland
so suspicious of those from Northern Ireland? Why
does Grandma relent?
 On what addiction do Angela and Malachy always
spend money, even if there is no tea or bread? What
effect does this addiction have on them? What do you
they tell Frank and his brothers about picking up the
habit?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter V, Pages 140-150, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 In what ways is Angela's Ashes uplifting despite the sad
situations in the story? How does McCourt produce
hope through his writing?
Chapter V, Pages 140-150
 How does the incident with Frank’s dancing offer
comic relief ?
 What does Malachy attempt to teach Frank each
night, and for what purpose? What happens at the
church door, and why do you think the church reacts
the way it does?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter VI, Pages 151-169, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What do you think Angela misses about her old life?
Explain.
Chapter VI, Pages 151-169
 Why do Paddy and Frank follow Fintan home for
lunch? Why do they decide to skip school afterward,
and where do they go? What two important things
does Frank learn about his family later that night?
 What potential do think Angela may have had for a
better life? Based on what you learn of her here, what
else could she have chosen for her life?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter VII, Pages 170-186, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What role do Frank’s and his friends’ escapades play
in establishing a sense of fun and vitality within the
memoir? Explain.
Chapter VII, Pages 170-186

How does Frank feel about the Protestants that play croquet?
What is the importance of Billy’s reply to Frank’s questions?

Whom does Frank meet while helping Uncle Pat deliver
newspapers? In what ways does this chance meeting benefit
Frank?

How do the other men in Frank’s life compare with his father? In
what ways is Frank’s father lacking compared to the other men
Frank knows?

What happens to Frank’s new brother before he is named? What
does Angela eventually name the baby, and how does Frank feel
about this name?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter VIII, Pages 187-206, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Why do you think Frank and members of his family
keep getting sick? What could they do to avoid
illness? Is there anything they could do?
Chapter VIII, Pages 187-206
 Who is “Quasimodo”? What does he hope to
become, and how does he plan on raising the money
to fulfill his dream? What happens when he puts his
plan into action?
 What effect does Patricia have on Frank during his
recovery period? What about Seamus? Whom do you
think is more important, and why?
 What two effects from Frank’s long hospital visit have
a drastic and negative impact on his life? How does he
overcome each?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter VIII, Pages 207-215, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What do you think McCourt’s primary motivation
was for writing his memoir? To earn the sympathy of
his readers? To teach them something? Explain.
Chapter VIII, Pages 207-215
 How does Mr. O’Halloran shock his students? Why do you
think his actions are considered shocking?
 McCourt writes: “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 prayers, and
then the one who does the bad thing and comes home with
the smell of whiskey and wants us to die for Ireland” (210).
Was this your impression of Frank McCourt's father? How
can Frank write about his father without bitterness? What
part did Malachy play in creating the person that Frank
eventually became?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter XI, Pages 216-224, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Do you think it’s fair that Malachy wants Angela to
have more children? What does it tell you about the
wife’s role in Irish culture?
Chapter IX, Pages 216-224
 What is ironic about the way in which the Irish view
their enemies in World War II?
 How does Malachy initially feel about the war effort?
What do you think changes his mind?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter IX, Pages 224-234, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Will anything improve for the McCourts now that
Malachy is in England? Why or why not?
Chapter IX, Pages 224-234
 Which old friends does Frank meet in the hospital
when he receives treatment for his eyes? How is each
encounter important to Frank?
 Why is the doctor’s parting advice to Frank ironic?
 How does Mr. Kane respond to Angela’s request for
assistance for her family? What does his response tell
you about the government’s view of the poor in
Ireland?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter X, Pages 235-244, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 How does the Catholic Church’s influence make
Frank feel guilty for things he’s done? How does this
guilt affect him?
Chapter X, Pages 235244
 How is Frank able to support his family when his
father is in England and his mother is sick? How do
the boys attract the attention of the police?
 Discuss the differences in how Aunt Aggie and Pa
Keating treat Frank and his brothers.
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter X, Pages 245-251, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What do you think of Guard Dennehy’s reaction to
the McCourts’ living situation? What does it tell you
about how they live?
Chapter X, Pages 245-251
 What effect does witnessing Angela begging for food
have on Frank? What does he worry about?
 Women – in particular mothers – play a significant
role in Angela's Ashes. Recall the scenes between
Angela and her children; the MacNamara sisters
(Delia and Philomena) and Malachy; Aunt Aggie and
young Frank; Angela and her own mother. In what
ways do these interactions reflect the roles of women
within their families? Discuss the ways in which
Angela struggles to keep her family together in the
most desperate of circumstances.
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter XI, Pages 252-267, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What street smarts are Frank’s friends teaching him?
How will these experiences affect him?
Chapter XI, Pages 252-267
 What happens to Mikey, Frank, and Peter in the pub?
Why do you think Frank believes Mikey? Do you
think there is something more to Peter’s sudden and
drastic decision?
 Why does Frank want to keep working with Mr.
Hannon? Why does Angela want him to stop? Which
is more important? How does Mr. Hannon feel about
Frank’s future?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter XII, Pages 268-278, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What are the McCourts’ main struggles at this point
in the novel?
Chapter XII, Pages 268-278
 How has Frank’s opinion of his father changed while
Malachy has been away in England?
 What are the positive and negative effects of Angela’s
and Michael’s behavior on page 273?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter XII, Pages 278-283, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 How do you think Angela feels about having to rely on
other people to support her family? How would you
feel?
Chapter XII, Pages 278-283
 How does Frank’s family living with Cousin Laman
benefit both the McCourts and Cousin Laman? What
are the drawbacks for both sides?
 In what ways has Frank’s family fallen apart by the
end of Chapter XII?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter XII, Pages 284-296, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Do you think it makes sense for Frank to want to
work? Or should he stay in school? Which would you
prefer?
Chapter XIII, Pages 284-296
 What is the significance in the moment when Angela
stares into the ashes of the fire as Laman laughs in
Chapter 13? What role have ashes played throughout
the book thus far?
 What advice does O’Halloran give Frank? Why?
What comes from this advice, and why is Frank
pleased with the result?
 Why does Frank leave Laman’s house? Do you think
this is the right decision? Is Frank’s new situation any
better?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter XIV, Pages 297-308, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What, if anything, could Angela do to improve her
family’s circumstances?
Chapter XIV, Pages 297-308
 In what ways is Frank like his father in Chapter 14? In
what ways does he act differently?
 What does Frank learn about in this chapter? How
does his upbringing make him feel guilty for his
actions and knowledge?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter XV, Pages 309-325, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 In this chapter, Frank’s compassion for the poor is
seen. What does it tell about Frank as a person that
he feels such sadness and empathy for the people to
whom he delivers telegrams?
Chapter XV, Pages 309-325
 Is the telegram job a good job for Frank? Why? What
specific things does the telegram job allow him to do?
 What are telegram workers never allowed to do?
What does Frank wish he could do? What does this
say about Frank?
 Describe the relationship Frank has with Theresa.
How does this relationship help and hurt Frank?
Which do you think it did more?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter XVI, Pages 326-337, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Why was Frank and Uncle Pa Keating’s conversation
about not taking the post office exam so important?
How do you think it affects the rest of Frank’s life?
Chapter XVI, Pages 326-337

Why is Mr. Harrington upset, and what does Frank do to
aggravate the situation? How does Frank eventually get his job
back?

How does the memory of Theresa haunt Frank, and why does he
put off confessing their relationship? What does this inner
turmoil reveal about his character?

When dealing with Mrs. Finucane, how does Frank use his
shrewdness in making money for his future trip to America?

Who thinks Frank should take the exam at the post office, and
who does not? What reasons does each side give Frank? What
does Frank ultimately do?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapter XVII, Pages 338-353, and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 In this chapter, Frank finally gains closure about his
relationship with Theresa, freeing him from years of
guilt. How is this interaction with priest different than
what Frank has experienced previously with the
Catholic Church?
Chapter XVII, Pages 338-353

In what ways does Pa Keating attempt to behave like a father
figure on Frank’s birthday? Would Pa make a good father?
Why?

What happens when Frank comes home from the pub? Do you
think he means what he says, or is it the alcohol speaking?

Analyze Frank’s discussion with the Franciscan priest. What
does it reveal regarding Frank’s desires, and how does the
discussion help Frank?

What emergency sends Frank to stores all across Limerick? Why
is this such a major emergency for Easons? How do Frank and
the other delivery boys profit from this emergency?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Chapters XVIII and XIX, Pages 354-363, and
answer the corresponding questions.
Do Now
 What is the view of America in Angela's Ashes? What
do you think will happen to Frank once he gets to
America? Explain.
Chapter XVIII and XIX,
Pages 354-363
 How does Frank’s family say good-bye? Whose
contribution do you think Frank values the most?
 How does the end of the book portray Americans?
How do Americans seem to differ from the Irish? Why
do you think this is?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Bring three questions for tomorrow’s quiz review.