Chapter XIX
'Tis.
I will admit that I knew the ending before even starting the book, not from sheer nosiness (I hate reading books when the ending is ruined), rather from having heard others discuss it with disgust. When I started reading the memoir, I expected it to be just as boring and dragging as was described to me; however I was taken on a ride through the slums of the early twentieth century Ireland as a young boy tried to pave a way for himself. And I quite frankly enjoyed it.
The ending, contrary to popular adolescent belief, adequately sums up McCourt's intention of the novel. Even though he himself calls his memoir "an epic of woe," the final chapter "'Tis." allows him to end this sad story with a glimpse of hope that he will find in America. This simple statement of agreement shows how McCourt agrees that America is a great country.
Frank McCourt is able to show his progression as a person through the course of the novel. As he questions his own morality, he discovers what it truly means to be a good person and emerges from adolescence with a mature toughness necessary to deal with the world. This helps him come to terms with his decision to leave for the United States. Instead of feeling like he abandoned his family, McCourt remains strongly connected to Ireland and committed to providing for his family, making him a good man.
No comments:
Post a Comment