Lives Of The Saints By Nino Ricci And Angela's Ashes Analysis

Everyone’s childhoods vary in what they experience and how it shapes them into a model individual. This is occurs in Lives of the Saints by Nino Ricci and Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt where both protagonists face difficult childhoods. The two families lack a male role model due to their poor fathers but makes the boys more responsible. In addition,poor relations with relatives affect the boys but they learn to be more compassionate people. Finally, both mothers do not show love towards Vitto and Frank causing them to learn to be more caring. Although both face a tough upbringing, these issues help develop them into positive young men. Having a father who lacks good qualities will result in the absence of a proper male example. In
The Innocente family experiences this through grandpa’s neglect. While bedridden, grandpa and Cristina get into an argument. Grandpa yells, “And what will you live on, the few thousand lire you’ve saved from what he sends you? Because you’ll not see a cent of my money, I swear on my grave. And with two children to take care of, you can work in the streets” (Ricci 159). When Cristina is finally open to her affair, grandpa grows bitter which is evident through his hostility towards Cristina. He does not care about Cristina anymore and will not support her. Cristina’s affair is the last straw for grandpa and now he doesn’t want anything to do with her. In addition grandpa openly insults Cristina like this in front of Vitto. Being exposed to an unhealthy relationship between Cristina and her father is an example to Vitto what he does not want to have. Although his harsh ways, grandpa does show some love to Vitto. Before Vitto leaves for Canada, grandpa gives Vitto his medals and hopes for the best for Vitto. For the McCourt family, they do not feel like they belong through the inhospitality of the Sheehans. Grandma asks Aunt Aggie if she can lend some things to the McCourts. Aunt Aggie replies, “And I suppose they’ll be wanting sugar and milk on top of everything or they might be banging on my door looking for an egg if you don’t mind. I don’t know why we have to pay for Angela’s mistakes”(McCourt
After Vitto is hurt in a fight between Vincenzo, his mother is furious and goes to confront the mother of Vincenzo. When Maria, the mother, opens the door, Cristina attacks her in front of Vitto. Vitto observes, “My mother had worked her knees onto Maria’s elbows, leaving Maria’s forearms to claw helplessly at the air, and finally her hands around Maria’s throat” (Ricci 110). Usually, Cristina does not show Vitto any affection. She attempts to show some love to Vitto by beating up Maria for Vitto. Vitto does not ask for harm upon Maria. Her choice to attack Maria can be seen as a selfish act and Vitto gives her an excuse to release anger within her. The village, including Maria, frown upon Cristina because she cheats on her husband, Mario. Cristina acting selfishly and not thinking of the well-being makes it evident that Cristina is not a proper mother to Vitto. She denies him the affection a child should receive from their mother. However, Vitto finds this marital love from la maestra, his teacher, who cares for him when his mother does not. Similarly, Angela does not give Frank the experience of a caring mother. She disappoints Frank and makes him feel unwelcome in his own house. During an argument with Laman Griffin, Griffin hits Frank and his mother tries to intervene. Griffin kicks him into another room and says he is going to bed. Angela