Discussion Starters - Chapters Nine and Ten

"Mam turns toward the dead ashes in the fire...Michael who is only five... wants to know if we’re having fish and chips tonight because he’s hungry. Mam says, Next week, love, and he goes back out to play in the lane."

• Place yourself in Angela's shoes; how would you feel having to force the restraint of food going into your child? Turning your child away- saying they will eat, next week.
• Is Malachy fully to blame? Should their have been actions prior, to prevent the deep hole the Frank family is now buried in?
• Angela's intelligence: marrying Malachy; having children?

• OTHER IDEAS:

• After Angela threatens to go to England herself to find work, Frank’s father decides to leave for England and find work in a factory. The family has very high hopes to finally be released from the general feeling of poverty. -- Responsibility shown in Malachy's character -- Has he taken this action for his family, or to escape?

• Serious situations: As I predicted towards the beginning of the novel, several common themes are now taking a serious stand; in which we began to see forming during the first few chapters...

- Hunger: An egg a week seems as an unrealistic dream to Frank.

• With high hopes that possibly, the near future may show a peaceful lifestyle for the McCourt's (no longer living in poverty), Malachy is expected to bring money home from England. Later, it is discovered that Malachy has "gone mad with the drink," as he spends all of his money in bars.

• Malachy is continuously letting is own family down; Why doesn't he care? Is this addiction serious enough to overpower the health of Malachy's family? At this point in time, the "wants" of the McCourt family are no longer seen; however, it is the "needs" that are unrealistically "needed."

Going Further:

- No money = No food = Non- survival.

- This, is the endpoint in which Malachy will cause if his responsibilities continue to under-seek his addictions.

Jenna S.

More Vocabulary Chapter 9

1. Munitions- Materials used in war. Such as weapons or ammo.(pg 216)
2. Delicate- Fragile or breakable(pg 217)
3. Trifle- An English dessert of cake and custard usually soaked in wine, liquor, fruit or jam. (pg 217)
4. Gawking- To stare at someone/something foolishly (pg 219)
5. Pram- A baby carriage (pg 219)
6. Begrudge- To envy somebody (pg 222)
7. Blasphemy- An act of cursing God (pg 227)
8. Iodine- A gray-black, toxic, halogen (pg 228)
9. Lance- A long wooden shaft with a pointed metal spear. Used by soldiers for charging.(pg 230)
10. Nonsense- Foolish behavior (pg 231)

Vocabulary

1. Shillings-A former unit of money. Used in Australia, Fiji, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Nigeria. Equal to a pound. Used in the 18 and 19 hundreds.
2. Welts-A ridge or wale on the surface of the the skin. The result from a blow of a stick or whip.
3. Bawl-Cry or wail heavily
4. Immortal-Not liable to death. Can't perish and is constant.
5. Sneer- A look of scorn or contempt.
6. Abomination- An object of intense loathing or dislike
7. Diversion-An entertaining distraction
8. Lorry-A large motor car.
9. Dole-Distributing, common in charity
10. Docket-A list of cases in court for trail
11. Ravenous- Extremely hungry
12. Squander-To spread
13. Affliction-A cause of mental or physical pain
14. Knackered-Very tired
15. Bog- Wet soil composed of vegetable compost

Observations

While reading chapters 5 through 8, I have observed quite a few ideas.

• Frank's new friend named Mickey Spellacy's siblings are dying one by one for the reason of being alcoholic. Everyone looks up to Mickey, because he gets a week off from school for every sibling that dies. In addition, he receives much sympathy from others. A surprising scenario to me, includes when Mickey asks Frank to pray that Mickey’s sick sister will not die until September, so that Mickey can get a week off from school. Through my eyes, this describes much about the society in which these children are being raised in; its physically ming boggling. For sure, no conception of "life" is understood by these young adults.

• Angela gives birth to another boy. ** Why is birth of more children continuous, when budget is low and supplies are not available to the current number of family members? This reveals an important detail about the intelligence of the family; possibly, in which can be influenced by the current time period/environment in which this took place.

- FURTHER: Why hasn't Angela put a stop to Malachy's drinking issues if another child was expected to be birthed??

• Turning Point: Malachy drinks away the baby’s money; this begins the first time Frank expresses true anger about the irresponsibility of his father. Frank describes he wishes to "run into the bar, and kick his father." I believe Frank finally begins to realize this has become more than just a serious issue, in which is greatly effecting the survival of her family more than ever.

This picture is part of an "Angela's Ashes" gallery, found on http://www.totalfilm.com/media/10189

Jenna S.

Discussion Topics

• Discussion Topics for Chp. 3 -5:

"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." -- Chp. 3

- What inferences can you make based on the above quote?

Follow Up Questions For Chp. 3-5:

1. What does this idea suggest about Malachy's character?
2. Does he care for his family; including making wise decisions reguarding the long-term success for his children?
3. Is he thinking about the short-term effects he is causing?
4. Why hasn't he improved his behavior?
5. What actions would you apply to this issue if you were in Franks shoes?
6. Malachy's Character: In my eyes, Malachy apparently does not care for his family. Furthermore, he constantly loses jobs because on Friday nights he drinks away his weekly pay, and then he oversleeps and misses work on Saturday.(I believe Malachy is indeed book smart, based on his quick understanding of the English language; however, he is not "street smart.")

*** Please, start a discussion based on these topic-starters!

Jenna S.

Vocabulary

Angela's Ashes has some interesting vocabulary such as:

Woes-Troubles, sorrows
Gullet-Throat
Pompous-Stuck up. Full of one's self.

Beginning To Notice Themes

While reading chapters II and III, I have come across a common theme; The several limitations imposed by social class and/or culture. In further detail:

• Poverty
• Hunger
• Low budget

Jenna S.

Symbolic Quotation

"It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood." (McCourt, 1.)

Through my eyes, this quotation represented a negative, cold feeling through the authors choice of words. I was instantly able to predict the "main conflict," in a way, of the novel.

• Other Ideas To Think About:

1. Predictions involving the relationship between Frank and her Father?
2. Imagine yourself in Angela's role; child's death(leading to depression), alcoholic husband, low budget due to Malachy.
3. Scene involving Frank watching as his mother vomits over the side of the ship as the Statue of Liberty continues to cease in distance; ILLUSTRATION!

Jenna S.

Roles, Schedules and Discussions!

Welcome, everyone!

• Roles :

1. Jenna - Discussion Director
2. Zoe - Word Watcher
3. Brianna H. - Illuminator/Summarizer
4. Isabela - Illustrator/Connector

• Schedule :

1. Tuesday, 10/13 -- Pg. 50
2. Friday, 10/16 -- Pg 110
3. Tuesday, 10/20 -- Pg. 160
4. Friday, 10/23 -- Pg. 210
5. Tuesday, 10/27 -- Pg. 270
6. Friday, 10/30 -- Pg. 330
7. Tuesday, 11/3 -- Pg. 362

* Please Note: You must be on the corresponding page following each date.

Please post ANYTIME! Share any thoughts, vocabulary, illustration descriptions, important ideas, summaries, conenctions, etc.