Pg. 11

“My father and mother should have stayed in Ney York where they met and married and where I was born.  Instead, they returned to Ireland  when I was four, my brother, Malachy, three, the twins, Olvier and Eugene, barely one, and my sister, Margaret, dead and gone.”

This passage foreshadows all that is to happen before he states the following events.  For instance, “…my sister, Margaret, dead and gone,” this quote briefs the outcome of his sister before she is even born in the story! Also in this passage, the author uses syntax to sequence the sentence more into a flow and to draw the reader in.

Specific Questions:

How does the foreshadowing of this passage lure the reader in to read the book further?

Pg. 11

“People everywhere brag and whimper about the woes of their early years, but nothing can compare with the Irish version: the poverty; the shiftless loquacious alcoholic father; the pious defeated mother moaning by the fire; pompous priests; bullying schoolmasters; the English and the terrible things they did to us for eight hundred long years.”

The last line of this quote sets a motif of grudge against the English.  Throughout the novel the main character is taught to believe that the English are evil and wicked.  His father made the main character, Frank, and his brother swear to “die for Ireland.”

How do you think this opinion is more of Frank’s or his father’s?

Pg. 15

“Delia and Philomena were large women, great-breasted and fierce.”

From this passage, the reader can perceive from the imagery that these two cousin of his mother, Angela, were fat and big on their chest.  Also from the passage the reader can perceive what the women personalities are.  This is from the use of diction to the word “fierce,” we can interpret that they are stern and aggressive.

Do you think this perspective is disrespectful, mature, or just a general view on who these aunts are?

Pg. 19

“The MacNamara Sisters said Angela was nothing but a rabbit and they wanted nothing to do with her till she came to her senses.”

From this passage, the reader reads that from the sister’s perspectives on Angela is that she is a rabbit.  The reader takes from this using diction that Angela must be timid.  Though in a retrospective intake Angela could also be like a rabbit by producing a lot.  For example, she had 7 children!

What do you think the sisters are referring her as (timid, reproductive, etc.)?

Pg. 19

“I’m in a playground on Classon Avenue in Brooklyn with my brother, Malachy.  He’s two, I’m three.  We’re on the seesaw.  Up, down, up, down.”

From this passage, the reader can visualize what is happening in this scene.  The reader can perceive that this playground they are at is probably surrounded by huge buildings.  Also the reader can sense the neutral tone and contentment of the speaker by stating “up, down, up, down.”  This effect kind of isolates himself from the joy a regular child would have at the park.

Why do you think the tone is somewhat neutral than vibrant?

Pg. 101

“He says he would, and it’s a disgrace that the Irish throw out millions of potato skins every day and that’s why thousands are dying of consumption…”

I find this quote ironic.  In the 1800’s the Irish faced a potato famine that killed them all from eating it.  Here in this quote Frank’s father contradicts history by stating that Irish are dyeing by not eating potatoes.

Why do you think the author would  write this contradictory statement?  Do you believe is contradictory?

Pg. 101

“It’s dark now and still raining outside and the coal is glowing in the grate where Mam and Dad sit and smoke their cigarettes.”

This quote describes the constant theme and mood of the book, which is dark and depressing.  Smoking and ashes seem to be the only comforting things the adults have in the book.

How do ashes play an important role in the book?

Pg. 221

We’ll all have new boots and coats to keep off the rain so we won’t be coming home from school famished.  We’ll have eggs and rashers on Sunday…”

This quote sets up another theme that is constant throughout the book which is Frank’s association of eggs to wealth.  Eggs symbolize the good life that he wishes to have.  They do this by symbolizing financial security and satisfaction.

What does this quote say about his childhood?

Pg. 313

“If it wasn’t for Hitler we’d all be dead…”

This quote is quite ironic.  Hitler caused the death of millions of people.  However, Mrs. Clohessy states that he saved their lives!  He didn’t save their live intentionally, but thanks to the war England needed job positions filled for the war thus provided these Irish families with the income needed to buy luxuries.

How does this quote separate itself from reality but also set a truth?

Pg.

“Shakespeare is like mashed potatoes, you can’t get enough…”

Frank uses this quote to express his love for poetry and writing.  With this he uses a simile that compares the two.  For example, mashed potatoes is delicious and addictive to eat thus Shakespeare to him is also addictive to read.

Why would Frank compare Shakespeare to mashed potatoes rather than other delicacies?