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Dominant Theme: The behavior of a child's parents influences the behavior of the child Quote: “She says Malachy and I have to take turns looking after Alphie, taking him out in the pram for a bit of fresh air” (McCourt 249). At this point in the novel, //Angela's Ashes//, Frankie McCourt's mother has just been released from the hospital. Angela tells Frankie and Malachy that they need to take their little brother outside because he cannot stay inside all year round. The behavior exhibited by the mother is teaching the children responsibility. As Frankie and Malachy are “Looking after” Alphie, they are learning what it means to take care of little children and helps them to grow up. However, Frankie and Malachy end up using the morals and good judgment of bar owners in order to bum food and candy from them. This “Fresh” idea allows Frankie, Malachy, and Alphie to eat a substantial amount of food for the first time in quite a while. This is how their mother's actions has allowed Frankie and Malachy to provide for their brother and themselves with out having to steal and break the law. -Dalton Kasinger

Dominant Theme: The behaviors of a child's parents influences the behavior of the child "And I can't stop crying because this was my one chance to be a man and bring home the money the telegram boy never brought from my father" (McCourt 265). At this point in the novel, Frankie's case of conjunctivitis worsened so greatly that his mother will not allow him to do his job. He is "crying" because the job makes him feel like a "man". For Frankie, this job advances his maturity because he is able to bring home "money" for his family. Frankie views bringing "money" home as being a "man" because when his father brought "money" home he portrayed the behaviors of a "man". This opinion on how a "man" behaves was influenced by Angela, Frankie's mother. A "man" does not drink away all the wages and never bring home a penny to his family, which is what Frankie's "father" usually did. Getting one drink and then hurrying home to ease the worries of their family, is how a "man" acts. Angela's behavior influenced Frankie's opinion of a "man" because when Malachy would return with "money," Angela and Malachy would dance and Angela would sing a song about his kiss. They would also eat well and everyone in their household would be happy. Nevertheless, when Malachy did not arrive with the "money," they would not sleep int eh same bed, Angela would yell at him, and she would cry. Therefore, through the behavior of Frankie's father and his mother's reactions to it, Frankie developed his opinion on how a "man" should be. -Leia Trice

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