Answer: McCourt describes his experience growing up in a poor and unhappy family. Frank himself feels he´s been deprived of multiple opportunities, such as becoming an altar boy and furthering his education, because of his lower-class status. His father´s alcoholism seems to be a factor for their poor situation, but Frank still finds it difficult to blame him. The English invasions of Ireland are also presented as a cause of their situation.
Explanation:
However, Frank feels guilty because he thinks that his sins are what condemned him and his family.
I think that the social and historical context, including social prejudice and religious oppression, are both causes of massive impoverishment, and, furthermore, religion becomes a tool for people like Frank to blame themselves for a situation they can hardly solve or control.
