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Maria Stolyarova
Ashes, Frank McCourt was influenced to believe in the Catholic Church. Frank learned
how to be a religious person and truthful to God. In the memoir, theyre taught at a very
young age to believe in the Catholic Religion. Grandmother was very religious in general,
and the family was Catholic. Frank learned how religion was beneficial and at the same time,
beautiful. In Angelas Ashes, a book written by Frank McCourt about his life in Ireland, we
can see how the characters apply their beliefs into their decisions.
Frank was only a young child when he had to move from New York to Ireland. People like
Franks aunts were very worried about their family, and because of that they all moved away.
Those who were concerned were also aware that in their own belief what they were choosing
to do was right: The sisters knew what was right and they knew what was wrong and any
doubts could be resolved by the One, Holy, Roman, Catholic and Apostolic Church Frank
McCourt, 1989, Angelas Ashes pg. 15. This statement clarifies that the decisions that were
made were either right or wrong; and if someone made a mistake, God would resolve it. Every
action brings consequences, and this is an example of how this decision changed Franks entire
Most of the population grows up to be catholic and independent in Ireland. In modern day
Ireland, people are open to their own beliefs, but still learn from the Catholic Church. Frank
grew up to be a very religious young man, who felt that most of the time he did something
Angelas Ashes Religion & Church wrong, he shall confess to a priest: I ring the bell at the
priests house and a big man answers, Yes? I tell him, I want to go to confession, Father. He
says, Im not a priest. Dont call me father. Im a brother. All right, Brother. I want to go to
confession before Im sixteen tomorrow Frank McCourt, 1989, Angelas Ashes pg. 340.
to God, you shall go to heaven. Thats what Frank and the McCourts believed in: Tell the
priest your sin and youll be forgiven Frank McCourt, 1989, Angelas Ashes pg. 125. That is
what the Catholic Religion emphasizes in general, have a pure soul and a clean body.
Irish education is mostly based on the Church. In Ireland, going to church is like going to
school, and this way of teaching has been developed throughout generations. According to
the book Irish Writers and Religion: The irony in the Irish Churchs concern with
education people among the first generations of what might be called indigenous Irish
Catholic intellectuals; Irish Catholicism was not intellectually rich enough to be able to
squander such talents Ireland is a very traditional country, and their tradition reaches their
The reason behind all of this relationship between religion and education in Ireland is
because of unity. Family, social and educational systems have to relate some way and somehow
to the Catholic Church; this explains the reason why Frank McCourt turned out to be such a
curious but religious man. According to the book Religion Identity and Politics in Northern
Ireland: Boundaries of Belonging and Belief: This is because Catholic group membership is
tied Angelas Ashes Religion & Church into family relationships and social networks as a result
has changed, but still, religion stays the same: Going to school in Ireland is like going to
church, it teaches you everything about Catholic religion Mr. Kevin Kellys interview in class.
In conclusion, modern day studies are almost fully based on religion and church in Ireland.
The Self-Sufficiency and Education as an Outlet.
By Andrea Alvarez
The way people are raised shapes them either in a positive or negative way; not only how
we are raised at home, but at school. It shapes our actions, thoughts, and even our future. In
the book Angelas Ashes, the author expressed how he was starved, beaten, humiliated and
tormented. Having a submissive, not so present mother and an alcoholic, absent, and
deadbeat father really shapes the mind of McCourt. After going through all this Frank
McCourt still managed to become a renown author and mentor for many. He is now a world
famous writer, a respected novelist and an inspiration for aspiring authors. McCourt had to
learn to be independent, self-sufficient, he had to take care of his little brothers and his
mother. Due to his absent father and the death of his sister and twin brothers; yet a way for
him to express what he had suppressed was through school, through writing.
In the book Angelas Ashes, the author expresses how school was in a way his happy
place, an escape, and this is the case for many who were going through the same. This quote
expresses and shows how children who were treated horribly at home were given the
attention and care they needed, but the school also gave them a proper education for them to
During the year we have had to arrange for the placing of a large number of
maintain them, but in some cases because their home conditions were so
these schools they receive care and attention and a sound education, and are
schools, it must be recognized that the children are to a large extent deprived
sending them to such institutions. If their own homes are impossible, good
foster homes would give them a healthier and happier introduction to life.
(p.6). In this quote the authors, CICA, establish how schools were an escape
to many children. Children who did not get attention from their parents or at
home; they went to school and in a way felt as if they were heard. In school
they got food, ways to express themselves with no fear, the attention their
parents could not give them because in a sort of way were absent. Even though
CICA made this report about the escape school is other associations are
In Ireland, the government is working towards their goal to help further the protection of
their education and schools as well for vulnerable parents. According to a report made by the
National Safeguarding Committee, Efforts are being made to develop a public campaign to
help further protect vulnerable adults and education the population about abuse of vulnerable
adults. (pg.1). They are working towards a common goal which would no doubt help so
many families stay united. If vulnerable parents like Franks mother would be protected, then
she would not be as submissive or in a way not present in Franks life. In the book she is
presented as a weak woman, if she were protected and educated then Frank would see her as
a role model. If there were protection and education for vulnerable parents not only will
children wouldnt be as desperate for food, attention, and to leave but they would have a role
model in their house. Someone they aspired to be, they thought I want to grow up just like
my mom or dad. The fact that the government is pursuing this would prevent deadbeat dads
The next ministers of education to come are now realizing that education is a requirement
for everyone and not the fortunate ones who could afford it because it helps those who are not
as fortunate to realize what they are able. According to Patrick Clancy, Sheelagh Drudy,
Successive ministers of education adopted the view that the role of the state in
education was a subsidiary one, aiding agencies such as the churches in the provision
the structure of education in the Republic of Ireland where the degree of control
exercised by the religious personnel is almost without parallel. (pg.475). This quote
present in the education, then it would help prevent the situations like Franks in the
future. What Frank had to go through in his life at a very young age is incomparable.
All the suffering he had to go through, he was already burying his little sister the light
of his family when he was five years old. Having his twin brothers die not so long
after and his dad leaving them to starve because his dad was an alcoholic. If the
education was better and people knew how much parents mean to how their children
will become; they would not be as careless and non existent to their lives. If women
were educated, then they would not act as if they can not be heard.
Mr. Kelly was asked during an interview at class if women were submissive or not very
present in his childhood; he responded that it is actually very common. Yes, it is very
common. The Irish are very traditionalist. Kelly, Kevin interview in class. Mr. Kelly being
an Irish man that lived and was raised there confirmed that it was very common for women to
not have a voice. To just stand there and not say a single word. Franks mom never said
anything when Margaret died Frank took charge and took care of his brothers. She did not
really react in the way she should have. She left her children there and did nothing. Frank was
a little boy but he still took care of her and his little brothers.
Frank when he was five years old he had to take care of his little brothers and his mother
because after the death of his sister, Margaret his mom was in shock and his father left the
house for two days. Mam stays in the bed all day, hardly moving. Malachy and I fill the
twins bottles with water and sugar I boil sour milk in a pot, mash in some of the stale
bread, and try to feed them from a cup, bread and goody They wont eat the bread and
goody till I kill the taste of the sour milk with sugar. Frank McCourt,1989, Angelas Ashes
(pg.36). Frank was only five years old and he had to learn to be independent and how to be a
man. He did not even know right from wrong yet, but he was taking care of his mom and
siblings. His mom was supposed to be the person he turns to because his dad is not around as
much. Frank does not even need his mom or dad to take care of himself. He learned to take
care of his needs and what he wants by himself because he had to. His mother was not the
making them get out of bed not caring what happened during those two days. Two days later
Dad returns from his cigarette hunt. Its the middle of the night but he gets Malachy and me
out of bed. He has the smell of the drink on him. Frank McCourt,1989, Angelas Ashes
(pg.39). His dad came two days later from getting a cigarette and smelled like
alcohol, so he went to a bar for two days. While Frank was home taking care of
his brothers and mother he was out getting drunk. Frank needed to learn to be
self-sufficient because no one was going to take care of him. Education is vital
for a community if the schools in a community are not good then parents will
show bad examples to their children about how they should be drinking every
day. The only place Frank could have a role model and some one to guide him
as at school.
Mr. OHalloran franks teacher told him that he needed to study because his brain is the
only thing that is going to get him ahead in life. You have to study and learn so that you can
make up your own mind about history and everything else but you cant make up an empty
mind. Stock your mind, stock your mind. It is your house of treasure and no one in the world
can interfere with it. Frank McCourt,1989, Angelas Ashes (pg.208). Mr. OHalloran
showed him that the most important aspect of yourself is your knowledge. He tells Frank that
he should learn as much as he can because thats whats important in life thats what matters.
His knowledge is what will get him far in life. Mr. OHalloran expresses how important
school is for children. It gives them a sense of empowerment that will help them in life.
This is why education is so important because without it then children will not know what
is right or wrong. If schools are not good, then those children wont be good examples for
their own children. They will be deadbeat dads or alcoholic. If there is not a rich education
children wont be able to go out there in the world and make a difference.
Ada Gonzlez
October 15, 2017
Since Ireland had no jobs people would migrate to find one. This is why
Frank decided to go to America and start a new and better life. Unfortunately,
many of these people were not always welcomed, Regrettably Irish
immigrants were not always so well received in the United States. Jay P.
Dolan, University of Notre Dame, August
1997, https://www3.nd.edu/~jdolan/IRISHCONFERENCE-CORK.html. One of
the reasons was their culture, which was never affected by the British.
According to Mr.Kelly British culture was rejected. The Irish always saw the
British like the oppressor, and would change any systems and currency. Also,
according to Desmond Keenan a Doctor of Philosophy in the historical aspects
of economics and sociology and writer of the book The True Origins of Irish
Society Ireland was not an oppressed, or occupied country. Neither was it a
colony. It was an equal partner in the United Kingdom just as the individual
states are equal partners in the United States. The British didn't affect Ireland
in any way.
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. The Irish Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children (ISPCC). Pg. 6.
xhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_How_and_Why_Library_010.jpg
http://www.childabusecommission.ie/rpt/pdfs/CICA-VOL5-01.pdf
Desmond Keenan a Doctor of Philosophy in the historical aspects of economics and
sociology and writer of the book The True Origins of Irish Society
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