1. Angela’s Ashes
Frank McCourt
1996

2. What stands out most when you read the following quote
What stands out most when you read the following quote? What inferences can you make about the author? What do you notice about the language or style?
“When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood.”

3. Genre
Memoir
a type of autobiography in which the author writes a personal record of the events, people, and situations that have shaped his or her life. Memoirs can span an entire lifetime, but often focus on a specific period of the writer’s life.

4. Setting & Conflicts
Setting: Late 1930s and 1940s; Brooklyn, New York (briefly); Limerick, Ireland
Major conflict: Frank faces hunger, neglect, his father’s alcoholism, oppressive weather, and illness in the face of the broader struggle that defines his memoir – getting out of Ireland and rising up from poverty. Along the way he faces opposition from teachers, priests, family members, and people in all positions of authority who look down on him because of his lower-class status.

5. Historical Context
Notice that Ireland is divided into two sections: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
Most of McCourt’s childhood takes place in Limerick, Ireland, which is near the River Shannon.

6. Historical Context
One of the conflicts in the novel stems from Frank’s father’s involvement with the IRA
I.R.A. – (Irish Republican Army) an underground Irish nationalist organization founded to work for Irish independence from Great Britain: declared illegal by the Irish government in 1936, but continues activity aimed at the unification of the Republic of Ireland, which is predominantly Catholic, and Northern Ireland, which is mostly Protestant.
Malachy (Frank’s father) fought for the IRA and is an ardent supporter of the break from Britain and unification of the two parts of Ireland.

7. Historical Context Poverty (16th-19th century)
Widespread in Ireland for centuries
Due mostly to the system of land ownership
Poor farmers with large families RENTED land from absentee owners who charged exorbitant rent
Those who couldn’t pay were evicted.
Potatoes were the predominant crop, but potatoes are very sensitive to disease and crop failure.
Famines occurred frequently.
Overpopulation: Catholics do not believe in birth control (plus, there were no effective methods available); large families were difficult to feed

8. Historical Context Poverty moves from the rural to the urban
Some Irish families moved to urban areas in hopes for a better life.
Poverty remained constant due to excessively high rent.
Tenement houses were ubiquitous
Large families were packed into cramped spaces with no plumbing or waste systems; many did not have electricity or running water.
Jobs were very scarce; you had to “know somebody” to get a decent job.
Alcoholism was widespread.
Due to unsanitary conditions, disease was rampant.
McCourt’s family lived in several tenement houses.

9. Irish Tenement Housing
Frank McCourt spent most of his childhood in places like these.

10. Catholicism and Education in Ireland
Frank McCourt attended public school in Ireland, which was run by the Catholic church.
After Ireland gained independence from Britain in 1922, the Catholic church took control of most schools, hospitals, and public works.
The Catholic hierarchy wanted to encourage boys, through education, to go into the priesthood.
Today, about 95% of all schools in Ireland are still run by the Catholic church.
This is a source of controversy for non-Catholics living in Ireland.

11. Irish Customs
Frank McCourt’s family is a typical, early 20th century Irish family.
Music, singing, dancing, and storytelling were prevalent.
Unemployment was high; Frank’s father is often jobless.
Religion played an extremely important role in day to day life.
Catholic rituals such as communion, confirmation, confession, etc. were ingrained in Irish children.
Emigration to America was widespread.
Frank’s story begins with his parents returning to Ireland after an unsuccessful attempt to establish themselves in Brooklyn, NY.
Frank also dreams of leaving Ireland for America as soon as he is old enough.

12. Socratic Seminar
Definition: a thought-provoking discussion over a designated topic; named after the Greek philosopher, Socrates
Open-ended questions are introduced.
A balanced discussion takes place.
A successful Socratic seminar…
Allows all participants to speak
Looks more like a discussion than a debate
Generates questions that spring from the original topic introduced
Allows participants to connect personal experiences to a text
Requires participants to refer to the text often; the speaker should read brief, key passages as needed.

13. Socratic Questions:
What attitude do the Irish seem to have towards America? How does this hold with the view Americans have of themselves?
How does the St. Vincent De Paul Society treat the people of Limerick who come to them for help?
Why do the families reject the McCourts when they come home?
Why does the folk hero Cuchulain play such a prominent role in the book?
Why does Mam force Malachy Sr. to let her go with him to the Labour Exchange for their dole money? What type of conflicts does this raise? (p.78)

14. Rules and Assessment
What guidelines do we follow, and how will we be graded?
Minimal-
Your eyes should be on the speaker or following along in the text.
Show respect for the person speaking. We will not raise hands to speak, so you must learn to navigate smoothly through the conversation.
Every person must speak voluntarily, at least TWICE.
Make clear, accurate statements about the text.
Cite evidence to back up any claims you make.
The focus is on making inferences about the text, not regurgitating events or only giving a personal opinion.
Exceptional-
Relate the discussion to a global issue or a relevant personal issue.
During the discussion, pose questions to the group that intensify the topic at hand.

15. Preparation: Read the text thoroughly.
Answer the questions in the study guide and the prep questions. Include evidence with page numbers!
Timeline-
Reading and questions due Thursday (study guide questions = quiz grade; Socratic questions = classwork grade)
Seminars will take place Monday (test grade)

16. Criteria for Grading: Speak at least TWICE
1 time, you initiate a response
1 time, you respond to someone else
Must use specific evidence from the text
Exceptional responses relate to a global issue (science, politics, gender issues, technology, etc.)
You can lose points for “stereotyping” or making vague, unfounded generalizations about groups of people.
You are allowed to disagree, but you must be respectful.
The teacher will START the discussion, but YOU will maintain progression.
If the topic has been exhausted, you can initiate a new topic by bringing up a question that hasn’t been addressed.
If you are in the outside circle…
You will take notes during the discussion (1 page, front only, homework grade)
You may respond to the discussion by raising your hand, and you can earn an extra point for responding. However, responses from the outside circle must be thought-provoking, articulate, and unique.