Frank Mccourt Research Paper

Frank McCourt; from poverty to the silver screens Memoirs have the capability to convey to the reader not only the stories of the author’s life but provide valuable insight on history and the strength of the human spirit. Frank McCourt is well known for his memoirs regarding his impoverished childhood and following the American Dream. Using his miserable childhood in Ireland as a motivator, McCourt provided others an education. His youth became lessons for students, when he became a teacher in New York for thirty years, teaching others the importance of dreaming for a better tomorrow and perseverance to get there. Frank McCourt used his life experiences in extreme poverty and following the American dream as a model in his memoirs to teach

On August 19th, 1930 Frank McCourt entered the world (“Frank McCourt”). His father had initially intended to move west when informed of his girlfriend Angela’s pregnancy, but got drunk and missed the train (McCourt 17). The family over time had seven children, only four of which would survive to adulthood (Schrongar). After the death of their daughter Margaret, the McCourts decided to leave their new home of Brooklyn and head back to Angela’s roots in Limerick, Ireland (McCourt 46). However, Frank’s father Malachy Sr. originally belonged to Ballymoney Antrim, a parish in the North of Ireland, which is frowned upon in Limerick (“Frank McCourt”). Malachy’s origins coupled with his alcoholism pushed the growing family into poverty in the slums of ireland (McCourt 76). Frank McCourt described his circumstances: “Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the

When he started off, he felt like an outcast in the writing world, considering he was just a teacher (Grimes). However, his first book, a memoir called Angela's Ashes sold over five million copies (“Frank McCourt”). Over the next ten years he also wrote two additional memoirs: ‘Tis and Teacher Man. Despite Angela’s Ashes success in the United States, there was some controversy when it was read in Ireland. Those in Limerick denounced him, claiming that he had disgraced his mother, city, and church. However, the Irish eventually warmed up to his story as he was given an honorary degree from Limerick University and Angela’s Ashes tours are given in his old hometown . His first memoir was adapted into a movie in 1999 by Alan Parker. The movie adaptation, similar to the book also faced criticism and it was viewed as being too self pitying (Grimes). McCourt also told his story through an autobiographical play written by his brother Malachy Jr. called A Couple of Blaguards. Two documentaries were also made starring all four brothers: The McCourts of Limerick and The McCourts of New York. Through these events McCourt claims: “I learned the significance of my own insignificant life”