Chapter 7

In this chapter , Frank has became closer the Catholic church, accepting its policies, even though he takes them for universal truth and does not question them. Also, Frank experiences the love and charity of the Catholic religion when he visits a priest and confesses to stealing food. The priest says, “My child, I sit here. I hear the sins of the poor. I assign the penance. I bestow absolution. I should be on my knees washing their feet.” The priest is kind, and wise, and his words reference the actions of Jesus, who also knelt to wash the feet of his apostles.
A turning point in this chapter comes when Malachy(dad) drinks away his baby brother( Alphonsus)money. This marks the first time Frank expresses real anger about his father’s staggering irresponsibility. Although he thinks of sitting by his father before the fire and hearing stories, and although he realizes that when Malachy drinks he is somehow looking for his dead children, Frank also “rages inside,” and he wants to run into the bar and kick his father. Frank himself recognizes this anger as a turning point, saying, “It will be different now." What did you guys think of this chapter?