Angela's Ashes Chapter 1 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How does the adult Frank McCourt feel when he looks back on his childhood?

He thinks that he had a bad childhood and that his family should have stayed in New York.

What nationality is the McCourt family, and what religion do they practice?

They are Irish Catholic.

What can you expect from being Irish Catholic according to Frank McCourt?

You can expect that his childhood is poor and miserable.

What does McCourt say about the rain in Limerick?

It is gloomy and sad, during a Depression. Signup and view all the answers

What reason does McCourt give for the piety of Limerick?

They only go to church to get out of the rain. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the introduction McCourt gives his father.

His father has a price on his head because he fought with the old IRA. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Angela Sheehan never meet her father?

Her mother chases him off because he dropped Pat on his head. Signup and view all the answers

Why does McCourt write, 'My mother's troubles began the night she was born'?

She was born on two different days. Signup and view all the answers

When and where do McCourt's parents meet?

They met at a party. Signup and view all the answers

Why have McCourt's parents both left Ireland?

The father left because he was running from the old IRA, and Angela left because her mother shooed her away. Signup and view all the answers

What keeps Malachy from getting to California?

He drinks all the money away that he had for travel. Signup and view all the answers

Why are Angela's cousins prejudiced against Malachy?

He is from Northern Ireland, and they think he is still Protestant. Signup and view all the answers

Do Angela and Malachy want to get married?

No, Angela's aunt made them get married. Signup and view all the answers

How does alcohol impact their child's naming and baptism?

Frank was named Male. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Childhood Reflections

Adult Frank McCourt recalls his childhood negatively, believing his family should have remained in New York for a better life.

Heritage and Religion

The McCourt family identifies as Irish Catholic, which Frank attributes to a life characterized by poverty and hardship.

Limerick's Atmosphere

The consistent rain in Limerick symbolizes gloom and sadness, reflecting the overall despair during the Depression era.

Piety of Limerick

The local populace practices religion mainly as an escape from the rain, showcasing a lack of genuine spiritual commitment.

Frank's Father

Malachy McCourt is introduced with a tarnished reputation, marked by a bounty due to his conflicts with the old IRA.

Angela's Background

Angela Sheehan never gets to know her father because her mother forces him to leave after a violent incident involving Angela's sibling.

Angela's Birth

The statement regarding Angela's troubled beginnings stems from a peculiar circumstance of her birth occurring on two different days.

Parents' Meeting

McCourt's parents meet at a party; Malachy is fleeing the IRA while Angela is pushed away from home by her mother.

Journey to California

Malachy dreams of going to California but squanders his travel funds on alcohol, preventing him from realizing this goal.

Prejudice Against Malachy

Angela's cousins harbor prejudice against Malachy due to his Northern Irish origins, mistakenly believing he remains a Protestant.

Marriage Circumstances

Angela and Malachy do not desire marriage; they are pressured into wedlock by Angela’s aunt.

Impact of Alcohol on Naming

Alcohol plays a significant role in the naming of their son, with Frank being inadvertently named "Male" due to parental neglect.

Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 1 of 'Angela's Ashes' with these flashcards. Explore Frank McCourt's reflections on his childhood, his family's heritage, and the challenges they faced. Perfect for students studying this poignant memoir.