Discussion Director

During Frank's First Confession he confesses the littlest of sins such as throwing up his First Holy Communion, which his grandmother made him, but he also confesses things on his own such as trying to take a peek at Mikey's naked sister taking a shower, and to listening to dirty stories from his friends.

Using this scenario and the raisin scenario, What do you think they show about Frank's personality? Do you think that if Frank;s grandma didn't make him confess about throwing up, do you think he would have? And, do you think that if Paddy wasn't there Frank still would have given the raisin away to someone that needed it, but still not as bad as Paddy needed it?

Post your comments below:

-Donna Wylie

Word Watcher

Lane- a narrow way or passage between hedges, fences, walls, or houses

Dervish- A member of any of various Muslim ascetic orders, some of which perform whirling dances and vigorous chanting as acts of ecstatic devotion.

Straddler- to walk, stand, or sit with the legs wide apart; stand or sit astride

Skivvy- a female servant

Speakeasy- a saloon or nightclub selling alcoholic beverages illegally

Maria Stefanidis

Word Watcher

Galore- in abundance; in plentiful amounts

Wafting- to carry lightly and smoothly through the air or over water

Novenas- a devotion consisting of nine separate days of prayers or services

Piety- reverence for God or devout fulfillment of religious obligations

Delicacies- something delightful or pleasing, esp. a choice food considered with regard to its rarity, costliness, or the like

Maria Stefanidis

Word Watcher

Woes-grievous distress, affliction, or trouble

Loquacious- talking or tending to talk much or freely; talkative; chattering; babbling; garrulous

Pious- having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest wish to fulfill religious obligations

Pompous-characterized by an ostentatious display of dignity or importance

Cacophony- harsh discordance of sound; dissonance

Maria Stefanidis

Summarizer; Chapter 4

By this point in the book, Frank is most likely in second grade and is making his First Communion, and while his mother is excited for him to receive it, he is just excited to receive the collection of money he will get from his family and neighbors. Franks first confession goes well, but when he later returns home for his First Communion breakfast he eats too fast and throws it up, as well as the Communion. His grandmother makes him confess to the priest for "throwing up God in her backyard". She makes Frank ask the priest to do and he says to wash it away with a little water. Frank's grandmother is angry again because she doesn't know whether or not to use holy water or regular water, and she makes Frank go to confession for the third time that morning. The priest is amused when Frank says, "Father it's been 1 minute since my last confession" and eventually tells Franks to use regular water, and to stop bothering him.

Because of this scenario, Frank never gets his Communion Collection, but ends up being able to go to the movies when his non-catholic friend Mikey makes a scene when getting tickets so Frank can sneak in.

Frank also has a new teacher, Mr. Benson. Most of this chapter recalls childhood memories Frank recalls of him being in school, there is one specific scene in which Frank shows just how selfless he is. In this scene the boys are given 'raisin muffins' but they never have raisins. Frank somehow gets the muffin with the only raisin, and even though he is starving himself, he gives it to another boy Paddy who does not ask for it, but he is starving more than Frank is.

-Donna Wylie

Discussion Director

As mentioned in chapter three, Frank often talks to "The Angel on the seventh step" and he continues to do so throughout the rest of his childhood. Angela is always depressed and Malachy Sr. is always drunk, Frank is the eldest child, and he will get yelled at, hit, or both when he asks a question.

As a result of this,do you think that Frank feels trapped in his own life and uses "The angel on the Seventh step" as someone to talk to or somewhat of an imaginary friend because he feels alone? What are your opinions about "The Angel on the Seventh step"?

Comment below:

-Donna Wylie

Summarizer; Chapter 3

After the deaths of three of her children, the McCourts are now only getting sixteen shillings a week from Public assistance services like the Saint Vincent de paul society because of the death of Oliver and Eugene. The family tries to start over and move into a new house since the last one reminds Angela too much of the twins. The family soon realizes that this new house holds ten families, and their apartment is next to the one bathroom, and regularly floods. The children re-name the upstairs part of their house 'Italy' because it is like a vacation since it is dry and warm.

In the upcoming days is Christmas which is also includes struggles because the family can only afford a pig's head which is considered shameful to eat on Christmas. Another son Michael is later born, Frank is still young and doesn't understand birth so his parents tell his that there is an Angel on the seventh step of the house that brought him. Throughout this chapter Frank talks to the 'angel on the seventh step' about his problems, and what he doesn't like about school, and about how he feels on a daily basis.

Baby Michael stays healthy and Malchy Sr. gets a job at the Limerick Cement factory, and it seems like things are looking up for the McCourts, except that Malachy Sr. drinks his money as usual and comes home drunk. When coming home he has three penny's left and offers each one to each son but all reject it except Michael who is now about two and still doesn't understand. Malachy Sr. misses work the next day, loses his job and the family is back on public assistance.

-Donna Wylie