Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
Chapter One
1. How does Frank McCourt initially describe his childhood?
2. Why do Delia and Philomena visit Malachy in the speakeasy?
3. What is Malachy’s escape plan, and how does it fail?
4. What is Frank’s “story,” and why can nobody else take ownership?
5. How is life for the McCourts when Malachy brings home his wages? How do things change when he
doesn’t?
6. Who helps the McCourt family get by in their time of need? What do they do?
7. What does Malachy do after Margaret dies?
8. How do Delia and Philomena help Angela after Margaret dies? Do you think this is a good idea?
9. How does Philomena insult Delia’s husband? How does Delia respond?
10. What is ironic about Angela pointing out the landmarks as Frank’s family leaves New York?
Chapter Two
1. What new things both interest and frighten Frank and his siblings when they arrive in Ireland?
2. Why do you think Angela cries when Malachy’s family offers to send them to Dublin?
3. How can Frank tell if his mother is in a good or bad mood?
4. Who is Mr. Heggarty, and why does Malachy go to see him? What is the result of this visit?
5. What does Grandma do for Angela’s family? What unwanted visitors wake the McCourts in the middle of
the night? Whom does Malachy inadvertently meet on the street?
6. What does Nora threaten to do when Mr. Quinlivan gives her trouble at the charity office? How does he
respond?
7. What ideas does Nora have about life in America? Is this an accurate picture?
8. What must the family do each time one of the children dies? How do you think this helps Angela?
9. Why does Grandma send Frank with his father to pick up the coffin? How does Malachy distract Frank?
10. What upsetting scene does Frank witness inside the pub? Why do you think Frank is so upset?
11. Describe Frank’s image of heaven.
Chapters Three and Four
1. What two things in their new home make life unbearable for the McCourt family? Which do you think is
worse?
2. What does Frank’s father do each day while he is unemployed?
3. What does Angela bring home for the family’s Christmas meal? How do the neighborhood children react?
4. To whom does Malachy give credit for the arrival of Michael? How does Frank react?
5. How does Frank imagine life must be for adults? Is this an accurate picture of adulthood?
6. Why does Frank believe it is handy to have Mikey Molloy living nearby?
7. What is “the best thing about First Communion”?
8. Describe Paddy Clohessy. What does he hope to do when he grows up?
9. Why is Frank afraid to go to his first confession?
10. What does the priest say about the dirty story Frank listened to? Why would the priest say this?
Chapters Five through Seven
1. What task does Malachy do for his neighbors? How do they show their appreciation?
2. What happens to Bill Galvin’s dinner? What happens to Frank as a consequence?
3. To what do Angela and Malachy admit they are addicted? What happens because of this
addiction?
4. In what activity does Angela force Frank to participate? What does he do instead? How are his sneaky
actions discovered by his mother?
5. What language does Malachy teach Frank, and for what purpose? What is the end result?
6. Where do Paddy and Frank go for lunch? Where do they go afterward, and why?
7. What two important things does Frank discover during his stay at Paddy’s house? How does Frank feel
about the Protestants he sees on his way to church? Why do you think he feels this way?
8. Who is Mr. Timoney, and why is he important to Frank?
9. What happens to Frank’s youngest brother? What does Frank think of the name his mother decides on for
the baby?
10. What gift does Malachy’s father send the family for the baby, and what happens to this gift?
Chapters Eight and Nine
1. What happens to Frank after his Confirmation?
2. Who does Frank talk to in the hospital? What do they discuss?
3. Why is Frank afraid while he is in the upstairs ward at the hospital?
4. When Frank goes home, how does he look back on his time in the hospital as being better than life in the
outside world?
5. What two things disappoint Frank after his recovery from typhoid fever? How does Frank overcome each?
6. What important lessons does Mr. O’Halloran impress upon his students? Why are these lessons unique?
7. In what way does Frank think of his father as the Holy Trinity?
8. Where does Frank eat his Christmas dinner? What is good and bad about the occasion?
9. How do many families in Limerick feel about the war with Hitler? Why do they feel this way?
10. What finally convinces Malachy to go to England and work in the factories? What happens after he leaves?
11. What new ailment does Frank have? What two old friends does Frank meet at the eye hospital?
12. What does Mr. Kane do to Angela while she is in line for public assistance?
Chapters Ten through Twelve
1. How does Frank provide for his family while Angela is sick in bed? Are his actions justified?
2. Who discovers that Angela is ill, and where are the children sent?
3. Why does Frank think he has no chance to become a Jesuit priest?
4. What does Frank believe Aunt Aggie lacks?
5. Whom does Frank see begging in the crowd? Why does he feel ashamed?
6. Who are The Red Hearts of Limerick? How do they signify this?
7. Why does Frank enjoy working with Mr. Hannon, and why must he stop?
8. What does Mr. Hannon say about rich people?
9. How do the McCourt brothers act when their father returns for Christmas?
10. What is the rent man upset about when he checks in on the McCourts’ house? What does he do?
11. Why does Angela feel like “her family is disappearing before her very eyes”?
Chapters Thirteen through Fifteen
1. What agreement does Frank make with Cousin Laman? Why do you think Angela stares into the fire while
Laman laughs at this deal?
2. What does Mr. O’Halloran tell Angela about Frank? Where does she go afterward, and what does Frank
think about the situation?
3. Why does Cousin Laman end his deal with Frank? How does Frank react?
4. What newspaper does Frank like best? Why? How is he able to obtain books to read?
5. What does Frank primarily read in the library? Why is he kicked out?
6. What kind of work does Frank obtain? What does Aunt Aggie do for him, and how does Frank respond?
7. What do Michael and Frank do on Friday night?
8. What are delivery boys never supposed to do? What does Frank wish he could do?
9. Who is Theresa Carmody, and how does Frank feel about her?
Chapters Sixteen through Nineteen
1. Why is Mr. Harrington so upset? What does Frank do that upsets him even more?
2. Why is Frank so worried about going to confession?
3. Who is Mrs. Finucane, and how does she help Frank?
4. Who says Frank should take the postal exam, and why? Who says he shouldn’t, and why? Does he take the
test?
5. What job does Frank work next? What are his duties?
6. How do the people at the post office react to Frank’s new job?
7. What does Frank say to his mother when he returns from the pub? Do you think he means what he says?
8. How does Frank finally get over his guilt concerning Theresa Carmody?
9. What act does Frank commit that makes him feel like the “Robin Hood” of Limerick?
10. How does Frank’s family celebrate his trip to America? What moment from the party do you think Frank
will value most?
Angela’s Ashes Study Guide
Chapter 1
1. How does Frank McCourt initially describe his childhood?
As “miserable” and worse than an ordinary childhood because it was an “Irish Catholic childhood” stricken with
poverty, an alcoholic father, the terrible English, and a defeated mother.
2. Why do Delia and Philomena visit Malachy in the speakeasy?
To persuade him (through force) to marry their cousin Angela
3. What is Malachy’s escape plan, and how does it fail?
Malachy plans to escape his marriage to Angela by running away to California, but he drinks all of his escape money and
finally relents.
4. What is Frank’s “story,” and why can nobody else take ownership?
The story of Cuchulain is Frank’s because his father told him the story first, and Frank becomes upset if others try to tell
it.
5. How is life for the McCourts when Malachy brings home his wages? How do things change when he doesn’t?
The family is very happy when Malachy brings home his wages. They have food to eat, and Angela sings happy songs of
love. When Malachy doesn’t bring his wages home, everything changes. There is little food to eat, and Angela worries
about how to make ends meet. Malachy comes home drunk and makes the boys get out of bed during the night. There are
far more arguments as well, and nobody is happy.
6. Who helps the McCourt family get by in their time of need? What do they do?
Minnie MacAdorey, Mrs. Leibowitz and some of the local shop owners, like the Italian grocerwho gives Frank the bag of
fruit; They feed and look after the McCourt children. They also try to help Angela overcome her depression.
7. What does Malachy do after Margaret dies?
He leaves to get cigarettes but really runs to the bars for two days and gets thrown out of each one. However, the police
don’t throw him in jail because of the baby.
8. How do Delia and Philomena help Angela after Margaret dies? Do you think this is a good idea?
They write a letter to Angela’s mother in Ireland asking for money to buy tickets for the McCourt family to go back to
Ireland. Answers will vary, but the sisters are more concerned with getting Angela out of their hair than helping.
9. How does Philomena insult Delia’s husband? How does Delia respond?
By saying Delia’s husband has “the craving,” meaning he is an alcoholic who sneaks off to bars on Fridays; Delia
responds by saying at least her husband was born in Ireland, not Brooklyn.
10. What is ironic about Angela pointing out the landmarks as Frank’s family leaves New York?
Most immigrants see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island when they first come to America, but Frank and his siblings see
them for the first time as they leave for Ireland. Also, Frank will spend most of his youth trying to get back to America.
Chapter Two
1. What new things both interest and frighten Frank and his siblings when they arrive in Ireland?
The “strange creatures” Frank and his siblings see in the fields like cows and sheep surprise the children because they
have only known city life up to this point. Their father’s harsh tone when speaking to the boys is also new and frightening.
2. Why do you think Angela cries when Malachy’s family offers to send them to Dublin?
Answers will vary, but at this point she may see that life in Ireland will be no better or perhaps worse than life in America.
3. How can Frank tell if his mother is in a good or bad mood?
If she calls their father “your Pop,” she is in a good mood, but if she says “your father,” she is in a bad mood.
4. Who is Mr. Heggarty, and why does Malachy go to see him? What is the result of this visit?
Mr. Heggarty runs the Dublin IRA office, and because Malachy served in the IRA before he left for America, he goes to
see Mr. Heggarty in hopes of receiving some financial aid. Mr. Heggarty turns Malachy away because he has no record
of Malachy’s service, and Malachy becomes angry.
5. What does Grandma do for Angela’s family? What unwanted visitors wake the McCourts in the middle of the night?
Whom does Malachy inadvertently meet on the street?
Grandma puts the family up for one night before renting a furnished room for them to get them started. Then fleas infest
the mattress of the apartment, forcing them all out of bed. Malachy meets Uncle Pa Keating in the street while beating the
fleas out of the mattress.
6. What does Nora threaten to do when Mr. Quinlivan gives her trouble at the charity office? How does he respond?
She threatens to turn to the Quakers for charity. Mr. Quinlivan calls Nora a “souper,” or someone who would exchange
her faith for food.
7. What ideas does Nora have about life in America? Is this an accurate picture?
She imagines that America is a wonderful place where people dance in the streets.
This picture of America is inaccurate as the same problems that exist in Ireland also exist in America.
8. What must the family do each time one of the children dies? How do you think this helps Angela?
They must move to a new apartment. This most likely helps Angela because it makes it easier to forget her grief and
removes her from things and places that remind her of her lost children.
9. Why does Grandma send Frank with his father to pick up the coffin? How does Malachy distract Frank?
Grandma knows Malachy will attempt to go to the pub instead, but if Frank is along, he cannot.
Malachy distracts Frank by giving him money for candy and then goes to the pub anyway.
10. What upsetting scene does Frank witness inside the pub? Why do you think Frank is so upset?
Frank sees his father and the funeral carriage driver drinking pints of beer and setting their glasses down on his brother’s
coffin. This most likely upsets Frank because of the blatant irreverence his father is inadvertently showing for Frank’s
dead little brother and his memory. Also, Frank realizes that even this tragedy does not take precedence over his father’s
alcoholism.
11. Describe Frank’s image of heaven.
Frank’s image of heaven is a place where all of his siblings are present, there is no River Shannon, plenty of food, no
bothersome aunts, and where fathers bring home their wages instead of drinking them away at the pub
Chapters Three and Four
1. What two things in their new home make life unbearable for the McCourt family? Which do you think is worse?
There is an outhouse beside their front door, and the entire street empties their
chamber pots into the lavatory. This creates a sickening stench that fills their home. The other problem is that the bottom
floor of their house floods each winter, and they must live upstairs. Answers will vary.
2. What does Frank’s father do each day while he is unemployed?
He gets up early, puts on a collar and tie, and walks through the countryside looking for work. He then spends any money
he makes working for farmers at the pub instead of bringing the money home, and when that money is gone, he descends
into depression again.
3. What does Angela bring home for the family’s Christmas meal? How do the neighborhood children react?
A pig’s head; They mock the McCourt brothers, teasing them because all they can afford for Christmas is a pig’s head.
4. To whom does Malachy give credit for the arrival of Michael? How does Frank react?
The Angel on the Seventh Step; Frank takes this news very seriously and begins looking for the angel on the staircase,
even speaking to the angel and telling the angel his secrets, wishes, and fears.
5. How does Frank imagine life must be for adults? Is this an accurate picture of adulthood?
He imagines that adults know everything and understand every situation. This is not an accurate picture of adulthood,
since adults are often just as confused about life’s mysteries and problems as children, although a good deal of knowledge
and intuition comes with age.
6. Why does Frank believe it is handy to have Mikey Molloy living nearby?
Mikey is older, knows everything because he has “visions,” and is an expert on “Girls’ Bodies and Dirty Things in
General” (p. 114).
7. What is “the best thing about First Communion” (p. 116)?
All the boys get new suits and go around collecting sweets and money. Then they go to the movies to see Charlie Chaplin
and James Cagney.
8. Describe Paddy Clohessy. What does he hope to do when he grows up?
Paddy has a shaved head to keep lice away, no shoes, red eyes, a runny nose, is the biggest boy in class, and wears
ragged clothing. Paddy wants to grow up and run away to join the English Army.
9. Why is Frank afraid to go to his first confession?
He believes he has a sin nobody else has and that the priests will drag him out of the confession box and everyone will
know he was worse than the other boys.
10. What does the priest say about the dirty story Frank listened to? Why would the priest say this?
The priest says “books can be dangerous for children…” (p. 127). Answers will vary, but thepriest probably tells Frank
this because certain books may counter or defy church teachings, and church officials would rather children keep their
minds pure and open only to church doctrine.
Chapters Five through Seven
1. What task does Malachy do for his neighbors? How do they show their appreciation?
He writes letters for them because he “has a lovely way with the English language and a fine fist for the writing” (p. 135).
The neighbors try to pay him but he refuses, so Angela takes the pay instead.
2. What happens to Bill Galvin’s dinner? What happens to Frank as a consequence?
Frank is so hungry that he eats the dinner Grandma made for Bill. Consequently, Frank must deliver Bill Galvin’s dinner
every night for a fortnight without pay.
3. To what do Angela and Malachy admit they are addicted? What happens because of this addiction?
Cigarettes; They smoke so much that their teeth fall out, their gums bleed, and they eventually have to get false teeth.
4. In what activity does Angela force Frank to participate? What does he do instead? How are his sneaky actions
discovered by his mother?
She forces him to take Irish dancing lessons. Instead of going to his dance lessons, Frank goes to the movies. Frank is
discovered after making up increasingly more preposterous dances to show his parents and after his dance teacher calls
his mother to ask about his absence.
5. What language does Malachy teach Frank, and for what purpose? What is the end result? Where do Paddy and Frank
go for lunch? Where do they go afterward, and why?
Malachy teaches Frank Latin so he can become an altar boy. The church rejects Frank on sight even though he has
memorized the entire Latin Mass.
6. Where do Paddy and Frank go for lunch? Where do they go afterward, and why?
Fintan’s house; Afterward, they go to an apple orchard and around town because, since Fintan didn’t give them lunch as
he’d promised, they don’t want to go back to school hungry.
7. What two important things does Frank discover during his stay at Paddy’s house?
He discovers that there are families that live in worse conditions than his own and that his mother Angela was once a
beautiful singer and dancer before she left for America.
8. How does Frank feel about the Protestants he sees on his way to church? Why do you think he feels this way?
Frank feels bad for the Protestants because he believes they are doomed and wonders if they know it. He thinks this
because the church has taught him that anyone who is not a Catholic is doomed.
9. Who is Mr. Timoney, and why is he important to Frank?
Mr. Timoney is an elderly blind man to whom Frank delivers the Limerick Leader while working with Uncle Pat. Mr.
Timoney is important because he gives Frank a job reading to him and pays him for his services. He also treats Frank as
an equal and is one of Frank’s first adult friends.
10. What happens to Frank’s youngest brother? What does Frank think of the name his mother decides on for the baby?
He almost chokes from a clot of milk in his throat, but Mrs. Hannon saves his life. Frank thinks the name Alphonsus is
stupid and considers it “an affliction.”
11. What gift does Malachy’s father send the family for the baby, and what happens to this gift?
Five pounds; Malachy spends the money at the pub instead of on the baby, infuriating Angela.
Chapters Eight and Nine
1. What happens to Frank after his Confirmation?
His nose begins to bleed and he feels dizzy, and after being seen by a doctor, he is diagnosed with typhoid fever and sent
to a hospital.
2. Who does Frank talk to in the hospital? What do they discuss?
A fellow patient named Patricia Madigan, and later, a janitor named Seamus; Frank and Patricia discuss poetry and
stories and the books they are reading.
3. Why is Frank afraid while he is in the upstairs ward at the hospital?
He is alone in a long empty room, and at night he sees visions of dead patients that frighten him.
4. When Frank goes home, how does he look back on his time in the hospital as being better than life in the outside
world?
In the hospital, there are white sheets that are changed every day, clean toilets, frequent hot baths, no fleas, and plenty to
read. Once home, he is back to filthy living conditions that his family endures daily and having no reading material.
5. What two things disappoint Frank after his recovery from typhoid fever? How does Frank overcome each?
His impaired ability to walk and the fact that he is being held back in school because of his long absence; Through
practice, he gets better at walking. Then he prays to Saint Francis and writes an essay that impresses his teachers enough
to promote him to the correct grade.
6. What important lessons does Mr. O’Halloran impress upon his students? Why are these lessons unique?
He informs them that the Irish also committed atrocities in their fight for independence, and he tells them how important it
is to get a good education so they can think for themselves. Mr. O’Halloran’s lessons are unique because no other teacher
has ever told them such things.
7. In what way does Frank think of his father as the Holy Trinity?
Frank’s father is like three people to Frank—one in the morning with the paper, one at night telling stories, and one who
gets drunk and spends all the family’s money.
8. Where does Frank eat his Christmas dinner? What is good and bad about the occasion?
At the hospital where he is a guest; The food is fantastic, but Frank must eat all alone and then go home afterwards.
9. How do many families in Limerick feel about the war with Hitler? Why do they feel this way?
Many families are thankful that the war started because without the jobs the war has created, these poor families would
have no means of supporting themselves. The influx of good wages lifts many families out of poverty.
10. What finally convinces Malachy to go to England and work in the factories? What happens after he leaves?
America enters the war so Malachy now thinks the cause is worthy. After Malachy leaves, he doesn’t send any wages
home, and the family waits each week but no telegrams arrive.
11. What new ailment does Frank have? What two old friends does Frank meet at the eye hospital?
Conjunctivitis, an eye disease; Seamus and Mr. Timoney
12. What does Mr. Kane do to Angela while she is in line for public assistance?
He embarrasses her in front of the other people because her husband is in England working but isn’t sending home any
wages.
Chapters Ten through Twelve
1. How does Frank provide for his family while Angela is sick in bed? Are his actions justified?
Frank steals lemonade and bread from vans and a box of food from someone’s front steps. Frank and his brothers also go
door to door asking for coal, and then they steal coal while Michael distracts people. Answers will vary. These actions are
criminal, and while he could have asked other family members for help, Frank is only a child and does what he thinks is
best to provide food and heat for his family so they will not starve.
2. Who discovers that Angela is ill, and where are the children sent?
Guard Dennehy; The children stay with Aunt Aggie and Uncle Pa Keating for a short period until Angela gets better.
3. Why does Frank think he has no chance to become a Jesuit priest?
Frank believes that no one who grows up in a lane can become a Jesuit because “Jesuits are very particular” and “don’t
like poor people” (p. 245).
4. What does Frank believe Aunt Aggie lacks?
“grand times” like he and his brothers have
5. Whom does Frank see begging in the crowd? Why does he feel ashamed?
His mother; Frank thinks begging is “the worst kind of shame” (p. 250), and he is worried his friends will make fun of his
family for their poverty.
6. Who are The Red Hearts of Limerick? How do they signify this?
Frank’s soccer team, which is made up of his friends and brother; Frank makes them red hearts to pin on their shirts.
7. Why does Frank enjoy working with Mr. Hannon, and why must he stop?
Frank enjoys Mr. Hannon’s company, makes good wages helping him, and has a sense of pride as he drives the horsedrawn float down the streets of Limerick, especially when he passes his schoolmates. Frank is forced to stop working with
Mr. Hannon because the coal dust makes his eye infection worse each day, and when Mr. Hannon must quit the job
altogether, Frank has no choice but to quit as well.
8. What does Mr. Hannon say about rich people?
That they are very slow to put their hands in their pockets to give a tip for a job done
9. How do the McCourt brothers act when their father returns for Christmas?
The boys are upset with him and begin chanting, “You drank the money, Dad” (p. 270).
10. What is the rent man upset about when he checks in on the McCourts’ house? What does he do?
He becomes angry and incredulous when he discovers that the family has been burning the posts and wood of the walls,
leaving one wall entirely gone. He then evicts the McCourts from the house.
11. Why does Angela feel like “her family is disappearing before her very eyes” (p. 283)?
Angela feels her family is disappearing because her husband is gone, three of her children have died, her mother is dead,
and her brother and his wife die of consumption. Then Malachy goes to Dublin to join the Army School of Music, and
there are only three McCourt boys left.
Chapters Thirteen through Fifteen
1. What agreement does Frank make with Cousin Laman? Why do you think Angela stares into the fire while Laman
laughs at this deal?
Laman will lend Frank his bike, and in return, Frank will run errands for Laman and empty his chamber pot every day.
Answers will vary, but Angela is probably ashamed to see her son reduced to such work and knows Laman is taking
advantage of them. However, there is nothing she can do since he is letting them live in his house.
2. What does Mr. O’Halloran tell Angela about Frank? Where does she go afterward, and what does Frank think about the
situation?
Mr. O’Halloran tells Angela that Frank must continue his education because he is a bright boy. Angela takes him to the
Christian Brothers School, but they reject him after one look. Frank thinks that this is just as well, since he would rather
have a job and collect wages every week like all of the other Limerick men.
3. Why does Cousin Laman end his deal with Frank? How does Frank react?
Frank forgot to empty the chamber pot once; Frank and Laman fight, and later that night Frank escapes and stays with
Uncle Pat in his grandmother’s house.
4. What newspaper does Frank like best? Why? How is he able to obtain books to read?
Frank likes to read the News of the World because it has pictures of girls in swimming suits. It is banned in Ireland, but
some copies are sneaked in by the English. To get books, Frank uses his mother’s and Laman’s library cards.
5. What does Frank primarily read in the library? Why is he kicked out?
Frank usually reads The Lives of Saints, but he is kicked out after he is caught looking up sexual words in the dictionary.
6. What kind of work does Frank obtain? What does Aunt Aggie do for him, and how does Frank respond?
He works as a telegram delivery boy with the post office; She buys him new clothes for his job, and it makes Frank so
happy he cries.
7. What do Michael and Frank do on Friday night?
They go eat a meal of fish and chips, eat chocolate, watch movies, eat tea and buns, and dance all the way back home.
8. What are delivery boys never supposed to do? What does Frank wish he could do?
They are never supposed to run errands or cash money orders for people, only deliver the telegrams. Frank wishes he
could help all the poor people he sees while he makes deliveries and wants to bring them all to a beautiful house in the
sunny countryside.
9. Who is Theresa Carmody, and how does Frank feel about her?
Theresa is a girl Frank meets while making a delivery. Frank feels affection and maybe even love for Theresa. After she
dies of consumption, he feels guilt that their romantic relationship has supposedly sent her to hell.
Chapters Sixteen through Nineteen
1. Why is Mr. Harrington so upset? What does Frank do that upsets him even more?
His wife has died of tuberculosis, a disease Mr. Harrington blames on the Irish. Frank tries to baptize Mr. Harrington’s
wife, and then he throws up from all the sherry and food Mr. Harrington forces him to consume.
2. Why is Frank so worried about going to confession?
He is afraid to tell the priests about Theresa Carmody because he believes they will think he is evil, and he already feels
as though people can tell he is hiding a terrible secret.
3. Who is Mrs. Finucane, and how does she help Frank?
Mrs. Finucane is a local moneylender. She hires Frank to write threatening letters to people who owe her money and pays
him well. She inadvertently helps him when she dies, providing him with an opportunity to steal money from her home.
4. Who says Frank should take the postal exam, and why? Who says he shouldn’t, and why? Does he take the test?
Angela and Mrs. O’Connell say Frank should take the test because he is smart, would pass, and could make a very good
wage. Pa Keating and Mr. O’Halloran think Frank should not take the test and instead get to America as quickly as
possible because the postal job will keep him in Ireland for the rest of his life. They want Frank to make up his own mind.
Frank decides at the last minute to apply elsewhere and skip the test.
5. What job does Frank work next? What are his duties?
Frank finds work with Easons Ltd. where he delivers Protestant and English newspapers and magazines.
6. How do the people at the post office react to Frank’s new job?
They are angry that he is working for a “pack of freemasons and Protestants above in Dublin” and accuse him of being
“too good for the post office” (p. 337).
7. What does Frank say to his mother when he returns from the pub? Do you think he means what he says?
Frank accuses his mother of sleeping with Cousin Laman and says he would rather be like his father than Cousin Laman.
Answers will vary. Although Frank has been upset about his mother’s relationship with Laman for quite some time, he
most likely did not mean for his actions to come across in such a cruel manner. He was drunk and feels ashamed of
himself after he strikes his mother.
8. How does Frank finally get over his guilt concerning Theresa Carmody?
A Franciscan priest finally coaxes the confession out of Frank and tells him he will be forgiven, relieving Frank from all
guilt.
9. What act does Frank commit that makes him feel like the “Robin Hood” of Limerick?
He heaves Mrs. Finucane’s ledger into the river. Now all the people in Limerick who owed her money will not have to pay
their debts.
10. How does Frank’s family celebrate his trip to America? What moment from the party do you think Frank will value
most?
Frank’s family throws him a small party. Uncle Pat sings a sad song, and Angela sings a song that is even sadder about a
mother’s love. Uncle Pa Keating assures Frank that he will find much success in America. Answers will vary, but Frank
most likely values his mother’s song the most.