Angela's Ashes

Florence Walzl’s critical analysis of James Joyce’s The Dubliners sheds light on common themes in Irish society that is seen in Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes. The critical analysis discusses the hardships the youth in Ireland must overcome only to grow older into a society that shames them for everything they do. This is the basis for Frank Mccourt’s memoir Angela’s Ashes which provides first hand examples of how the treatment of the Irish during childhood influences the path of their lives. When a child is raised in a society that is based on shame and disillusionment, they become trapped or irritated of everyone. After a child is raised in such a way that hinders their free will, they will grow to be passive or non-productive adults. Once
Frank Mccourt in Angela’s Ashes may not be frustrated, instead, he is trapped by his parents who disillusion him. They hide useful information from him, hoping he will turn out to be a better person. The parents fail to realize that by raising him the same way that they were, will only lead Frank to grow to be just like them, essentially trapping him in this cycle of poverty. Luckily for Frank, he is able to overcome this as he realizes his “mom is in a terrible state at home… she is demented with worry” (McCourt 99). As Frank becomes aware of his mother's welfare, he tries his hardest not to grow to be like his parents, this realization is his only chance of escaping the cycle defined by Walzl. The children would be much better off if the adults told them the truth about different things in life as well. The children would learn from their mistakes, instead, they are punished with no hint as to why. This is obviously very frustrating and can be seen in The Sisters as the boy is criticized and shamed for being friends with the priest. The priest’s death is being discussed and the boy tries to act like he does not care so to avoid confrontation, however, a man who goes by Old Cotter speaks up saying “It’s bad for children, because their minds are so impressionable. When children see things like that, you know, it has an effect” (Joyce 11). This leaves the boy confused and furious at what Old Cotter means. Old cotter believes that children shouldn’t be curious and ask questions because it is better not to know. However, he doesn't say this directly and leaves the boy to wonder what is wrong with his friendship. This is an overlapping issue in both stories that essentially sets the children up for failure. If a child does not know better because they lack the understanding due to parents and other adults holding back information, a child is