Question: 5. What hardships do the characters endure as they make a new life?
Quote: “I’m ready to walk back down Laight Street to the pier but he steers me away. He doesn’t wan the men in the warehouse to se us. They’d ride him all day. They’d laugh and ask Horace when he knew my mother. That makes me want to defy them and walk down Laight Street even more. No, mon, he says. Save your emotions for bigger things.”
Quote said By: Frank McCourt and Horace
Page Number: 201

Response/Explanation: This quote is taken from the scene when Frank has just accidentally ran into Horace. Horace had just bough a sandwich which happened to be a favorite of Franks. So they went to the pier to share and eat the sandwich. On there way there they would have gone down Laight Street but Horace didn’t want to get hustled by the other pier employees. Frank really did want to do something about what they were saying, but Horace had more wisdom, and knew that to say something would just get them into a predicament.
This quote demonstrates that people are very discriminatory. It shows that Frank, who had been hassled by these same work employees is hassled by them just for eating lunch with someone who is African American. This is one of the man hardships frank has faced.

Character Judgment: I find that what Frank wanted to do here was rather childish. He got mad because someone called him a name. That is just pathetic. He is an adult and should act that way. Not to say the men insulting him and Horace were acting like adults either. They are even worse that Frank.

Question: Has anyone ever called you name that offended you? If so, what was your response?

Question 2: What was the characters life like on the journey to America?
Quote: “What’s the matter with you? Don’t you want to get ahead in the world?
I do.
Well, why don’t you talk to the rich people form Kentucky?”
Quoted By: Catholic Priest

Explanation/ Response: This the situation ion the boat to America where the Catholic priests encourages Frank to go over to the Protestants from Kentucky. They might “take a fancy” to Frank and give him a steady, stable job there. Then he could get promoted and get to an easier job from the rich Protestants from Kentucky. The significance of this quote is that this complete stranger, an unknown Catholic Priest, is giving helpful advice to a naïve young Frank McCourt. This unknown man of God is helping frank to be a successful American citizen. A complete act of kindness.

Character Judgment: I find that this Catholic priests is much wiser than Frank. He is just trying to help an uncertain Irish immigrant. Given the circumstances, it is a strange thing, a total stranger giving another total stranger advice.

Question 2 for Reader to Respond to: Have you ever given a total stranger advice? Or has one ever given advice to you? If so, please elaborate.