This activity was designed by Angela Bird for her students at Hobart College to place
their study of Frank McCourt’s book within a wider context.
Below is the task description given to the students.

This is a group oral presentation. Present your findings to the class in an interesting, entertaining and informative way using extracts from the other texts and from Angela’s Ashes.

1. Critically review websites devoted to the book, Angela’s Ashes. Your review should consider how each site contributes to further understanding of the book and how useful it is to students studying Angela’s Ashes. Present your findings to the class using the data projector linked to a computer.

AND

2. Tapping into intertextuality - or increasing your understanding of one text through study of another. Choose one of the following:
   
1. Look at at least two texts that have an Irish connection, such as film, poetry, novels, history books (I have put together a collection in the library) and compare the picture they paint of Ireland to that painted by Frank McCourt. You can consider the environment, economy, social, historical and cultural situation. How does Frank McCourt’s depiction of Ireland compare with depictions in other texts? How do these texts add to your understanding of Angela’s ashes?
   
2. Read or view at least two texts that deal with rising above adversity, particularly the adversity of poverty. How does the experience in each text compare with the experience of Frank McCourt? How do these texts add to your understanding of Frank McCourt’s life?