How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
We wait across the street. Mam lets me sit on the sidewalk with my back against the wall. She gives the twins their bottles of water and sugar but Malachy and I have to wait till she gets money from Dad and we can go to the Italian for tea and bread and eggs. (1.124)
This passage is one of our first tastes of the effects of poverty (we doubt sugar water is very high in vitamins and nutrients) in Angela's Ashes. Sadly, this is only the beginning of a long struggle against poverty.
Quote #2
Bed, Dan! What am I to do in bed? Her little face is there day and night, her curly black hair and her lovely blue eyes. Oh, Jesus, Dan, what will I do? Was it the hunger that killed her, Dan? (1.258)
Baby Margaret's death was likely a result of the living conditions caused by her family's impoverished circumstances. Same with the twins, who died probably because of malnourishment, unsanitary living conditions, and lack of access to medical care. Children are more seriously affected by lack of nutrition than adults. UNICEF estimates that over 20,000 children die each day because of extreme poverty.
Quote #3
Mam says she'd like to have a nice Christmas dinner but what can you do when the Labour Exchange reduces the dole to sixteen shillings after Oliver and Eugene died? You pay the rent of six shillings, you have ten shillings left, and what use is that to four people? (3.19)
Ten shillings is the equivalent of a few dollars in today's money. Can you support a family of five for a week on that? Other residents in Limerick resent people on the dole, but it's not like they're living in luxury; it barely covers their basic needs. This passage is a great example of McCourt showing Frank watching his mother speak without really understanding what she's saying. He knows she's upset, but he's obviously too young to appreciate the value of ten shillings or whether you can support a family on it. He's just paying attention.