TOW # 12 "Angela's Ashes" (IRB)

In his heartbreaking story Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt shares his horrible childhood experiences with his audience. Through the use of interesting point of view and shocking imagery McCourt is able to captivate his reader’s minds and hearts, while still being able to stay objective and true about his life.

McCourt tells his story through an unusual point of view. He does not write from the point of view of a man looking back at his childhood, but as the boy himself experiencing all of the atrocities for the first time. This type of narration provides a tone of enthusiasm and determination throughout the book; the same enthusiasm that a child has when he or she looks at the world. This allows the book to not seem over concentrated with sadness and disgust. In addition, this type of perspective allows McCourt to explain his relationship with his father, Malachy, objectively. Malachy McCourt Sr. is an alcoholic who spends his family’s money on drinks while his wife and children starve. He is the clear villain of the story, however, through the child-like perspective McCourt is able to depict the misery his father inflicts upon the family, but also the obvious love that Malachy has for his sons. For example, McCourt explains one night when he and his family were trying to sleep when a hoard of fleas started to attack, “Dad poured water and salt into a jam jar and dabbed at our bits. The salt burned but he said we’d feel better soon” (McCourt 70). The simple of act of taking care of and comforting his children shows the love Malachy has for his kids, which can be described due to McCourt’s interesting point of view.    

Imagery is a key component throughout this book. By describing vividly what McCourt went through as a child his audience is able to believe his hardships, but probably most of them won’t understand them. From the same page that Malachy comforts his son, McCourt uses imagery to describe the experience, “We slapped at them and slapped but they hopped from body to body, hopping, biting. We tore at the bites till they bled!” (McCourt 70). Imagery, in this case, helps invoke a feeling of discomfort and disgust within the reader, which was exactly how McCourt’s life was at that time, uncomfortable and disgusting. Imagery throughout the book helps the reader feel what McCourt must have felt, which allows McCourt to connect with his readers.

Although I have only read half of this book, I find it extremely interesting and can say that McCourt achieves his purpose of captivating his readers while still telling a true story, through the use of unusual point of view and shocking imagery. I am very excited to read more.