The time now comes for Frank's confirmation into the Catholic Church. Directly following his confirmation service Frank gets sick and gets a very bad nosebleed. It was this nosebleed which prevented him from getting his collection which the kids recieve after being confirmed. A few days after his nosebleed incident the doctor visits Frank at home and diagnoses him with typhoid fever. Because of the seriousness of his condition Frank has to stay in the hospital. While in the hospital Frank drifts in and out of conciousness and is near death. During his time in the hospital Frank meets a girl named Patricia. They become friends and she introduces Shakespeare to Frank. Just as he begins reading it Frank falls in love with the melodious writing of Shakespeare. Two days later, a janitor in the hospital informs Frank that Patricia has died.
After Frank somewhat returns to health and comes home he is disappointed to hear that because he missed so much of the fifth grade he will have to retake it instead of moving onto sixth grade. Frank struggles at school because he has a hard time getting around due to his limited ability to walk.
Later in the chapter seems to be descriptions. First the descriptions are of Frank's feelings about his dad. He dislikes it when Malachy drinks his dole money, but he loves his mornings alone with his father, when they read the paper and talk; he loves the stories his father tells. The rest of the chapter talks about the horrid living conditions in which the McCourt family lives.
The last part of this chapter leaves a lasting impression in my head and both answers some lingering questions in my mind and also disturbs me at the same time.. It is now understandable all these sicknesses that occur in the McCourt family because of the unhealthy living conditions. However, it disturbs me that Angela, whom I have had great respect for, would let her house become so filthy and disgusting. On a more positive note, this typhoid fever seems to have maybe brought out the nicer sweeter side of Frank. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment