Frank McCourt is born in New York City, where his parents met and where the story takes place. Through a course of unfortunate events they are forced to move back to Ireland where they are originally from. Frank faces many hardships because it is so hard for his father to keep a job, and his mother is so depressed after loosing 3 children. His father also was an extreme alcoholic and drank away most the money he earned to support his family, and when WWII came Malachy (father) left to go find work in England, and left frank with his mother (Angela) and his two little brothers Malachy Jr. and Michael. After the expected money from his father never came, Frank got a job and started working with the hope of somewhat trying to support his family. Though out his childhood a lot of things don't turn out very well for Frank, but through out the book it is still able to give you a sense of humor and light spirits. Despite many difficulties McCourt is able to rise above everything that has hindered him. He was incredibly intelligent and witty; he loved to read and did fairly well in school. Towards the end of the book Frank saves up enough money to go to America and bids Ireland an emotional fair well.
             -Religion-
             - Religion very much affected and changed Frank's cultural identity. At the time in which he lived ultimately the virtues of most families was that of the church. So through out the book there was always mention of the Catholic Church and the wrath or good standing of god. For example on chapter eight when a few boys paid a shilling to see Frank's friend Quasimodo's sisters naked, and got caught for it; his friends parents made him promise that he didn't see his own sister naked because that was a very bad sin. A small example of an internal conflict with this is when Frank had to deliver Protestant newspapers to make a living for his family.
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