In Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt recounts the tragic deaths of several of his siblings due to the harsh living conditions and poverty his family faced in Limerick, Ireland. Here are the details of how his siblings died:
- Margaret: Frank’s younger sister, Margaret, died just a few weeks after her birth. Her death was attributed to malnutrition and the overall poor health conditions that plagued the family.
- Eugene and Oliver: Frank’s twin brothers, Eugene and Oliver, both died within a year of each other. They succumbed to illnesses that were exacerbated by the damp, cold, and unsanitary living conditions in their home. Oliver died first, and Eugene followed shortly after, leaving the family devastated.
These deaths highlight the extreme poverty and lack of medical care that the McCourt family endured, which is a central theme in Angela’s Ashes. The loss of his siblings had a profound impact on Frank and shaped his understanding of the world from a young age.