Angela's Ashes

In Frank McCourt’s memoir, “Angela’s Ashes,” McCourt discusses his life as an Irish-American child. As McCourt delves into writing about his childhood memories, readers meet his alcoholic father, dedicated-Catholic aunts as well as other family members. As a part of a seven child family growing up in the 1930’s, there were many struggles Frank McCourt had to endure. His father’s need for alcohol caused many problems for the family and became a main theme in the book.

Frank McCourt’s father, Malachy, had an addiction to alcohol from before any of his children were born. His problem became an even greater issue when it started affecting his family. Malachy’s inability to live without alcohol caused him to spend all the money he earned at work on alcohol. Which then resulted in him not brining any money home for his family. This affected all of the members of his family. Malachy’s kids were unable to eat properly because there was no money for food. Malachy’s alcohol habit also affect his relationship with his wife. Frank’s mother Angela was not happy when she wasn’t able to eat or feed her children. This anger started to strain Frank’s parent’s relationship.

Malachys alcoholism became a main theme in this book because of it’s relation to everything event in this book. For example, when Frank and his brother have to beg for food it is the fault of the father wasting all their money on alcohol. Addictions to alcohol cause problems for families all over the world. The book, “Angela’s Ashes” illustrates the problems that come along with having an alcoh