Question

Throughout the book Frankie is encouraged to set his sights on America. Leaving Limerick becomes his greatest goal. What does the “American Dream” signify to Frankie? How might this dream be similar or different to someone who grows up in the United States? Using evidence from the text, analyze Frankie’s “American Dream.” What information does he have to form his impressions of America? How does America become a symbol of hope for him? Respond in an essay of 300 words. (Angela’s Ashes)

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

1. For Frankie, the American dream means having the freedom to do what you want, without having the weight of religion or family commitment to prevent it. Furthermore, he believes that America is the land of prosperity and there he will be free from all the poverty and misery he lives in.

2. I believe that Frankie's perception of the American dream is no different from the perception of the American dream of those born in America. That's because Americans defend the fact that America is a free and prosperous country, where everyone can do what they want and have a chance to have a very good life.

3. He knows that America is totally different from where he lives, that is, in America he will find a good life, since in his hometown, he does not find it. We can see that when he is talking to his father about the English and America and he says "America is not like Limerick, a gray place with a river that kills."

4. America became a symbol of hope for him when he received information about it, which showed the discrepancy between the reality he lives and the world. He started to see that his place was not there and that he needed to leave to be who he really wanted.