Angela's Ashes Symbolism

Vanessa Yu
Mrs.DiMaggio
AP Language

In the non-fiction work, Angela’s Ashes, the author, Frank McCourt, tells his story about his troubled past. The author conveys that through adversity and hunger a man can feel ashamed and guilty but must not lose his morality in order to become triumphant. The author uses characterization and symbolism to prove that the strive to escape poverty takes hard work and confidence.
Taking place in the late 1930s and 1940s, Angela’s Ashes is set in Limerick, Ireland and in Brooklyn, New York. During this time, the McCourts family lived predominantly in Limerick, Ireland. This was the time where poverty was ubiquitous and when World War II began. As an Irish Catholic, Frank McCourt’s poverty as a child was

even more unfortunate than the norm. In the 1930s, poverty was common throughout all of Ireland; especially in Dublin and rural areas. It was typical for an Irish family to be large. The McCourt family had seven children, but due to disease and famine only four survived. Frank’s father, Malachy McCourt, was an alcoholic who had severely hurt the family by doing so. Unfortunately, drinking was very common and highly supported. During the death of their children, Malachy would receive drinks as gifts. Frank’s grandmother even says, ““He doesn’t have the pills to ease him, God help us, and a bottle of stout will be some small comfort.” Therefore, Ireland’s poverty, hunger and encouragement of alcohol shapes Frank’s humility and desire for freedom.
The author, Frank McCourt, wrote his memoir in 1996 when he was sixty-six years of age. His reflection on his childhood and journey in escaping poverty show his tremendous bravery and relentlessness. His life after the end of the memoir begins with his arrival to New York City. While searching for work he was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve in the Korean War. Later he attended NYU and got his bachelor’s degree in education. He then got his master’s degree and began teaching English at New York City’s most prestigious high schools. His story proves that even those with no signs of hope still have a chance. Just look where he ended up!
The author uses characterization to show that success cannot be gained without remaining true to yourself and ignoring those who discourage you otherwise. The protagonist, Frank McCourt, lives with his alcoholic father, depressed mother and helpless brothers. The family’s poverty brings light to Frank’s embarrassment and unhappiness. His struggle to to overcome his feelings of shame allows him to believe that escaping to America will help him to do so. Frank recalls, “The master says it's a glorious thing to die for the Faith and Dad says it's a glorious thing to die for Ireland and I wonder if there's anyone in the world who would like us to live. My brothers are dead and my sister is dead and I wonder if they died for Ireland or the Faith. Dad says they were too young to die for anything. Mam says it was disease and starvation and him never having a job. Dad says, Och, Angela, puts on his cap and goes for a long walk.” These feelings of worthlessness that Frank consumes later adds to his gradual determination. However, this quote shows that Frank’s mentality is hindered by his those who he looks up to. Frank thinks, “I wish the boys at Leamy’s could see me now, the way I drive the horse and handle the bags, the way I do everything while Mr. Hannon rests his legs... I’d like to show the world the tips Mr. Hannon lets me keep, four shillings, and the shilling he gives me for the morning’s work, five shillings altogether.” This shows the pride Frank feels by being able to earn money to provide for his family at the age of ten. His ability to bring money into the family gives him the sense of power and confidence he has never had. This power is what leads him to the desire to never feel ashamed of himself again.
The author uses symbolism to further prove that one’s past filled with mishap and ill fortune can be overcome through aspirations and hope.

Frank’s mind as he develops changes and so does his perspective on the River Shannon. At first, the River Shannon symbolized disease and devastation that Ireland had brought upon his family. His distaste for the river was evident when he affiliates it with the dreary rain. Throughout his childhood, Frank could only see the river as a sum of all his hardships; the deaths of his brothers and sister, starvation, humiliation and poverty. However, as Frank matures he sees the river as an escape to America. Thus, he positively views the river as hope and liberation. This sense of change in Frank’s personality was established when he threw Mrs.Finucane’s ledger which ridded him of all his debts. He later reaches America thus proving that with the right mindset and drive even the impossible can be accomplished. Frank’s mother, Angela McCourt, was a woman of hope. She had hoped to give the life her children deserved but instead ended up with the death of three children and the rest living in poverty. Frank recalls, “Mam turns toward the dead ashes in the fire and sucks at the last bit of goodness in the Woodbine butt caught between the brown thumb and the burnt middle finger.” The ashes from Angela’s cigarettes and fireplace symbolize the darkness life brings once hope is lost. The ashes that had once burned bright with light was now lifeless

and dreary. These ashes, however, allow Frank to see who his mom had become and learns from her unhappiness that he still has a chance to make things right.
My personal reaction to the non-fiction writing, Angela’s Ashes, is of sheer fondness.

This is a memoir that I will never forget. It was extraordinary. I could feel every emotion possible while reading this book. I felt sadness for the death of his brothers and sister, anguish over the hardships and injustice Frank experienced and happiness when he finally reached his destination. Not only was his story amazing, but the lessons to be taught through the characters is enriching. This is definitely a book that I will chose to read

again.
Frank McCourt uses characterization and symbolism in his memoir, Angela’s Ashes, to demonstrate that while living in an atmosphere surrounded by negativity and misfortune, one must remember that it is up to him to decide what he becomes of himself and what he makes out of his life. A quote said by Mr. O’Halloran that guided Frank McCourt into the man he is today reads, “He says, you have to study and learn so that you can make up your own mind about history and everything else but you can’t make up an empty mind. Stock your mind, stock your mind. You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.”