Formative Moment Analysis Questions- “Typhoid Fever” and “The Education of Frank McCourt”
Directions: After reading both "Typhoid Fever" and "The Education of Frank McCourt," please answer the
following questions to be turned in the next class. Please post them onto your personal wiki page and also
bring in a hard copy.
"Typhoid Fever"
1. What was the saddest or most shocking episode in "Typhoid Fever"?
The saddest and most shocking episode in “Typhoid Fever” is that when the girl, Patricia, died. I felt really
sorry for both the girl, and Frank. The girl was so young and I just felt so bad for her.
2. The Kerry nurse asks sharply, "What is there to laugh about?" Find two episodes of comic relief. Should
comedy be used in a sad story?
Two episodes of comic relief are when Patricia imitates the nurse and Patricia making joke like when Frank said
that he has a soldier blood in him, Patricia said then you should march. I think comedy can be used in a sad
story, but not a silly ones, but ones that can release sadness for a moment.
3. Describe the formative moment from "Typhoid Fever." What did young Frank learn about himself in the
hospital? What role did the poetry play in his formative moment?
The formative moment from “Typhoid Fever” was when Frank discovered that he should be a writer after
reading a poem. He learned about himself in the hospital that he like reading poets and he should be a writer.
Poetry played role of making Frank being a great writer today.
"The Education of Frank McCourt"
1. Do you think people without high school diplomas should be allowed to enroll in universities? Why or why
not?
I honestly think people without high school diplomas should not be allowed to enroll in universities because
even though they are very smart and intelligent, they didn't go over the proper step of education. But though I
think they should be given an opportunity to be equal and fair for people who could not get an education
because of the environment they were in during childhood.
2. Describe the formative moment from "The Education of Frank McCourt." What did the adult Frank learn
about himself in the classroom? What role did his students play in his formative moment?
The formative moment from “The Education of Frank McCourt” was when he became courageous and learned
that even there is a limit or even if you think that you cannot make it, you can if you try really hard with effort.
He learned a lot of things from his students because they encouraged him of doing things.
Making the Connection
In a brief paragraph, please compare/contrast the formative moments from both essays. What commonalities do
these moments share? What are the differences?
The similarities between those two formative moments from both essays were that they both were the turning
point of Frank McCourt’s life and were events that brought him to him today. I think the only difference of
those two moments were that they were a different event and it had a little different ideas. The Typhoid Fever
taught him who to be and what he really likes that brought him today and the Education of Frank McCourt
taught him to live with more courage and effort for everything. The event from the Education of Frank McCourt
was another way to live a life more wisely. I think both of those events were a great turning point and a great
lesson for Frank to live his life intelligently.