How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
They scream at me and tell me I'm filthy. I try to explain that Mam has the disease and I'm worn out trying to make ends meet, keeping the home fires burning, getting lemonade for Mam and bread for my brothers. (10.35)
This passage shows one of the many examples of Frank's precocious ability to cope. He's ready to step it up and isn't afraid of a challenge. Unfortunately, he's just eleven right now so he doesn't exactly have the means necessary to take care of a family but he exhausts himself going from house to house begging for coal, pushing the baby's pram and dragging his brothers along. All he gets for it is chewed out for looking dirty.
Quote #2
When the rain starts we cover ourselves with old coal bags and Mr. Hannon turns his pipe upside down in his mouth to keep the tobacco dry. He says the rain makes everything heavier but what's the use of complaining. You might as well complain about the sun in Africa. (11.72)
Mr. Hannon's strategy for dealing with misery is to be philosophical about it. He gets the "serenity to accept the things I cannot change" concept.
Quote #3
I don't want to empty his chamber pot but I dream of cycling miles on the road to Killaloe, fields and a sky far from this house, a swim in the Shannon, a night sleeping in a barn. I pull the table and chair to the wall. I climb up and under the bed there's the plain white chamber pot brimming with piss and s***. I lay it down gently at the edge of the loft […], bring it down, turn my face away, hold it while I step down to the table […], take the chamber pot to the lavatory, empty it, and get sick behind the lavatory until I get used to this job. (13.11)
This is a perfect example of how far Frankie will go to get what he wants. Seriously, he's emptying out Laman's chamber pot. But he keeps in mind the reason he's doing it—because Laman's promised to let him ride his bike if he does this disgusting job. He daydreams about the bike ride as a way of keeping himself motivated.