ECQs+for+Week+2

Dominant Theme: The behavior of a child's parents influences the behavior of the child

“I know this place is a pub and I know he wants to get the black stuff that is called a pint but I don't say anything because I want to the shop next door for a piece of toffee” (McCourt 85).

At this point in Angela's Ashes, Frankie and Malachy, Frankie's father, were going out to get the money from the dole. Once they have the money, Malachy decides to go to the pub because his son has just died. He wishes to quell his need for a drink and forget the pain of his son's death and the deaths of his other children as well. He enters the pub and gives Frankie money, so that Frankie will not pester him and Frankie does not. He quits bothering his father about going home because he wants a piece of “toffee”. When Frank's brother had died, he wants “toffee”. When Malachy's son has died, he wants a “pint”. Therefore, “toffee” for Frank is a “pint” for Malachy. Thus, the way that Malachy has treated his own wants and needs as a top priority has influenced Frankie to treat his own wants and needs the same way. So that, Frankie will be selfish on a day that he should be very selfless.

Dominant Theme: The behavior of a child's parents influences the child's behavior.

“Then it's James Cagney and I can't take Billy because I want to get a bar of chocolate to go with my Cheeves' toffee” (McCourt 143-144).

In this quote the bar of chocolate is more important to Frankie than his friend. It shows that like his father, Frankie will give up his friends for something he wants. In this case it is chocolate. This is the first time he uses the name of the toffee. This shows that the toffee is becoming more important in his life. The use of “Cheeves'” shows that the inanimate object deserves a name because it is so important in his life. Also he “can't take Billy” in the same manner as his father can not give his family money because he gets drunk. It does not matter to him that Billy is his friend in the same manner that his family is his father's family. They are not willing to give up something they want for the people who should be important in their lives.