Frank McCourt's memoir, Angela's Ashes, is a story of courage and survival against overwhelming odds. The story tells of his experiences growing up in America and then Ireland during the Great Depression. Through-out Frank's childhood, he and his family live in poverty and have to beg and steal food and other necessities. They also have to do things against their Christian beliefs in order to survive and Frank had to get a job at a very young age to support the family. The McCourts show courage in their ability to survive and make the best of their situation. Even with the death of three children the family does not yield hope of their dream of a better life in America.

The McCourt family show courage in their ability to deal with their extreme poverty. They depend upon St. Vincent De Paul's and the Labour Exchange (dole) to survive...