Comparison Of Poverty In Angela's Ashes And Glass Castle

Before the time comes when children gain the ability to see the world through their own personal perspective, they rely heavily on the outlook of their parents. In special circumstances centering around impoverished families, there are multiple responses to the hardships that come with poverty. There is a stark contrast between the two approaches, as seen through the characters Frank and Jeannette. As children are growing up and gaining the ability to form their own ideals and values, they lose sight of the opinions that are forced upon them by their parents actions. In the memoirs Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt, and Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, the two main characters face similar struggles as a result of their parents inability to see reality, but Jeannette is able to find

Frank McCourt is held back by an alcoholic father and a depressed, helpless mother. When he is old enough, Frank is finally able to acknowledge his parents problems: “I know when Dad does the bad thing. I know when he drinks the dole money and Mam is desperate and has to beg at the St.Vincent de Paul Society” (McCourt 208). On the rare occasions when money is present in the McCourt household, Malachy thinks of himself before his family and is not responsible in regards to putting the money to good use. As opposed to buying food, upgrading their house, or saving the money for later, it goes to waste at the bar and gives Angela no other option but to resort to asking charity organizations for assistance. Frank’s mom is another contributing factor in the waste of money: “There may be a lack of tea or bread in the house but Mam and Dad always manage to get the fags, the Wild Woodbines” (McCourt 138). If his parents were thinking in the best interest of their children, then they would realize that giving up some of their luxuries would be necessary. It is not fair to ask their kids to starve, and claim that they have