Angela's Ashes And King Lear Analysis

Change is a notion that has the ability to both positively and negatively affect one’s life. In both Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes and Shakespeare's King Lear, this idea is further developed in regards to family transformation. In both these works, both family’s struggle to affirm their bonds leading to upheaval in regards to their relationships. This idea of family transformation is evident when a family member is no longer present, when the family dynamics change and idealisms do not coincide with one another. The loss of a family member has the ability to place strain on those who are surrounded by it and cause transformation to one’s life. In McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes, the family shares the inability to be financially stable due to Malachy’s

Within Angela’s Ashes, the idealisms of the family were unable to meet, and the provider roles were switched. As mentioned, when Malachy was unable to affirm his role as a father, Frankie obtained his place. Frankie was now responsible to provide for his family, and the desperation and inability to escape the effects of poverty motivated him to only work harder. Despite several hardships, he illustrated precocious ability to cope. Thus quoting: “ They scream at me and tell me I'm filthy. I try to explain that Mam has the disease and I'm worn out trying to make ends meet, keeping the home fires burning, getting lemonade for Mam and bread for my brothers.” This illustrates Frankie living out his role as a provider and being motivated by not becoming what his father once was. In addition, the struggle to make idealisms meet in regards to Malachy and Angela is a motive responsible for their family transformation. Malachy was fixated on feeding his addiction, while Angela wanted to provide for her family. The inability to make these ends meet ultimately tore apart the two’s bond and overall family. Similar to that of King Lear, the power roles are constantly being switched between members of the family, thus struggling for idealisms to meet. This is first seen when Lear divides his kingdom up between his three daughters, essentially passing on his position of power to Regan and Goneril. To his surprise, his daughters plans were different to those of Lear causing madness throughout the Kingdom and their overall bond. In mentioning their diverging views, Goneril has an outburst to her father, he quotes: My train are men of choice and rarest parts That all particulars of duty know And in the most exact regard support The worships of their name. O most small fault, How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show, Which like an engine wrenched my