You should answer these questions on your OWN PAPER – the answers must be handwritten.

Chapter I

1.  You’ll notice right away that McCourt’s style is different from that of other writers. You WILL get used to it and learn to enjoy it. Comment on some specific things McCourt does that are a little unusual AND say how those things affect the reader.

2.  McCourt creates some powerful images (sounds, smells, pictures). Choose a particular image from Chapter 1 and describe it in your words.

3.  Notice what McCourt is doing with song lyrics. Explain.

4.  Write a detailed paragraph characterizing Malachy (the father); show both favorable and unfavorable characteristics. Throughout your reading of the rest of the book, remember to look for both.

5.  What have you learned already about living conditions of the poor during the early 20th Century? Describe.

Chapter II

1.  Because the story is told from the point of view of a child, we see things differently. Choose 4 examples (list them) and say how each would have been different if told by an adult.

2.  What are some of the desperate measures Angela and Malachy take to try to take care of their family? Be specific.

3.  Malachy obviously has a drinking problem. Explain Frank’s perception of it.

4.  Describe one image that you will remember from this chapter.

Chapter III

1.  “Diction” refers to an author’s choice of individual words. Find 4 examples of especially well-chosen diction and say how each of the 4 words you have chosen helps to create a great image of the McCourt’s Christmas.

2.  Once again, we see 2 sides of Malachy. Give at least 2 examples of each side.

3.  Describe “Italy” and “Ireland.”

4.  McCourt describes such a horrendous childhood, but he does it in an uplifting way. State at least 2 instances in this chapter that make us smile instead of cry!

Chapter IV

1.  Frankie’s classmates are really characters! Choose one of them, and describe him in your own words.

2.  Give an instance of irony that occurs in this chapter.

3.  School was certainly different for Frankie than it is for us today! Describe some of the differences and similarities that you have seen in Chapters 3 and 4.

4.  Frankie says that “First Communion day is the happiest day of your life.” How is that ironic?

Chapter V

1.  Why does Malachy disapprove of Angela's friendship with Bridey Hannon?

2.  What drives Frankie to take Bill Gavin's dinner? Why does he ever think he'll get away with it? Are his actions influenced by his Grandma's treatment of him (and his whole family) after "what I (Frankie) did with God in her backyard"?

3.  Talk a bit about the dancing lessons and Frankie's deception surrounding them. Would any child his age have done the same thing? Consider Frankie's actual age -- why does he seem older to most readers?

4.  Frankie (and his family) are rejected by the church once again in this chapter. What lasting impact do you think this will have on him? How does McCourt show Malachy's reaction while staying true to the narration of his memoir?

Chapter VI

1.  This chapter opens with a scene from Frankie's school. Why does Mr. O'Neill get into trouble with the headmaster? Should he have been spoken to about this? Talk a bit about his practice of "rewarding" students with his apple peel.

2.  Why did Fintan single out Question Quigley , Paddy Clohessy, and Frankie to have bits of the apple peel? Why is it a big deal?

3.  Clearly, the McCourt family is quite poor; contrast their level of poverty to the poverty of the Clohessy family. Why is it (in an odd way) a good thing for Frankie to spend the night at Paddy's house?

4.  Why does Angela cry all the way home from the Clohessy's? (don't just go for the obvious, straight from the book answer). How does Paddy "save" Frankie from getting into trouble with Angela?

Chapter VII

1.  McCourt begins and ends this chapter with sections about "the bad thing" his dad does. Discuss this and how it affects the whole McCourt family. Be sure to address why Frankie does not go into the Pub to get his dad at the end of the chapter. What dd these two sections tell you about Frankie's relationships with both his mother and dad respectively?

2.  Many readers forget that Frankie is a little kid because his voice is so mature -- how does the passage about his friend, Mickey Spellacy (171 - 173 trade paperback) remind readers that Frankie is just a kid? Is it important for McCourt to remind the readers of Frankie's age? Why or why not?

3.  Why is Frankie so attached to Mr. Timoney?

4.  Talk about the priest's reaction to Frankie's confession about stealing the fish and chips. Why is this scene important to McCourt's story?

Chapter VIII

1.  It would seem that Frankie’s parents almost let him die from typhoid fever; readers see that in actuality, getting the fever may be the best thing that could have happened to Frankie. What are some of the benefits of his stay at the hospital? What events could be credited with McCourt’s future successes?

2.  How does Saint Francis of Assisi grant Frankie’s wish? What is it about Frankie’s essay that gets him moved back to the classroom with his friends?

3.  Frankie’s relationship with his dad is central to the memoir. Discuss the following quote and how / why it is important to the memoir. Try to include anything you can about McCourt’s use of language in this paragraph.

I think my father is like the Holy Trinity with three people in him, the one in the morning with the paper, the one at night with the stories and the prayers, and then the one who does the bad thing and comes home with the smell of whiskey and wants us to die for Ireland (210 trade paperback).

4. Talk about the irony (any and all types) you see in the section about the death of Finn the horse.

Chapter IX

1.  What does Angela mean when she says " 'Tis a real low-class mind that will call out the door and tell the world what they're having for the supper. She says 'tis their way of getting a rise out of us because Dad is a foreigner from the North and he won't have anything to do with any of them" (218 trade paperback).

2.  How does Angela get Malachy to go to England? Why does it work? Is it an appropriate method? What does Frankie's account tell the readers about his parent's relationship? Especially in light of the opening of the chapter?

3.  Talk about the decline in the family's situation as Malachy fails, week after week, to send a telegram with money. Look at the way McCourt writes about this time in his life. How does his writing make his meaning clear.

4.  Frankie has his second stay in the hospital, does it change him?

5.  At the very end of this chapter, Angela has had to ask for the relief. . . when the family gets back home McCourt writes: "We're all very quiet, even the baby Alphie, because we know what Mr. Kane did to our mother" (234 trade paperback). What did Mr. Kane do to her? How is McCourt's statement more powerful than if he wrote a paragraph about the offense?

Chapter X and XI

1.  List several conflicts, issues, or events from these chapters that involve social class. Select at least THREE of these to discuss and/or analyze.

2.  Karen D. Thompson discusses McCourt's voice in her article about his "gifted use of some of the traditional elements of fiction and nonfiction." She points out ". . . yet the effect of the story, although often poignant and sad, is not depressing. The young narrator describes the events without bitterness, anger, or blame." She further notes, ". . . people may be quick to dismiss Frank McCourt's gift for narrative by saying that his strength is in his story, not his storytelling" (cited in Gale's Nonfiction Classics for Students). Consider McCourt's use of language AND the "strength of his story" -- form some opinions about his skill as a writer (storyteller). In what ways does he use language well? Are there things about his writing that are distracting to you as a reader? What about things that draw you into the story?

Chapter XII and XIII

1.  Why is Frankie so entranced by Mrs. Purcell’s “wireless”? What might it represent? How are these thoughts and feelings reflected in McCourt’s writing?

2.  How is Laman characterized in these chapters? Which details serve to develop this characterization?

3.  What is ironic about the note that the librarian sends home to Frankie’s mother?

4.  Describe/Summarize the antagonistic relationship between Laman and Frankie. What does this show about Frankie’s maturation?

Chapter XIV and XV

1.  Summarize the events that lead up to the reunion of Frankie’s family. What role does Frankie play in making this happen?

2.  Why does it seem likely that Frankie will make a good telegram boy? What other lessons (besides those connected solely to his job) does Frankie learn from this experience?

Chapter XVI and XVII

1.  Discuss the role that literacy (words, language, writing, etc.) plays in these chapters. How are these events linked to the lessons that Frankie has already learned regarding social class?

2.  Discuss the significance of the advice offered to Frankie from Unlce Pa in South’s pub.

3.  Discuss the significance of Frankie’s meeting with the priest in the Franciscan church. Why is this important in terms of Frankie’s spiritual/emotional growth?

Chapter XVIII

1.  By this point in the book, despite his harsh childhood, Frankie seems to have a fairly firm moral foundation. How, then, would Frankie justify his actions following Mrs. Finucane’s death?

2.  Consider diction and selection of detail as McCourt describes his first impressions of America. How do these writing elements reflect his expectations about life in America?

Chapter XIX
Why did McCourt include this one word chapter? What purpose does it serve? It is worth mentioning that you should elaborate on your opinion.