User:UpgradeOpossum

I'm weird. And anyone looking at this website is funny. funny lookin that is. lol. Just kiddin. Because I spend all my life on this page. Typing essays.

Here's an essay. Respond to it if anyone ever looks at this page.

Josh Hille Jones-1 Acc English 10-B 4 April 2007 Happiness In ‘Tis, Frank McCourt explores how to live the American Dream through his life experiences. These experiences teach him and the reader that the American Dream is not as easy to reach as Hollywood portrays it. He imagines people in the United States have “teeth you see only in America, white, perfect, and everyone has tanned movie star legs” (32). He hears about the wealth and prosperity everyone enjoys, through books and movies. It is his dream to be like the Americans: rich, powerful and happy. Frank McCourt’s life stories show hard work and persistent effort will lead to a happier and easier life. Leaving his childhood home of Ireland, McCourt moves to the United States. He doesn’t know where to start his new life. His father left his family when he was little and, although he was born in the United States, he is not accustomed to the culture. He doesn’t have a high school or college diploma and doesn’t have any family living in the U.S. He begins his life in America by obtaining a job with the help of a priest. He is eventually drafted into the army. McCourt was raised as a Catholic but begins to drift away from his religion when he is drafted. After training as a company clerk, he leaves the army and attends New York University. After graduating, McCourt begins teaching a high school class. He struggles to control the children but eventually becomes an effective teacher. His mother decides to move to America. At the end of his memoir, both his mother and father die. His life stories work together to show that hard work will eventually turn into happiness. The army is McCourt’s first real taste of America. He says “They yell at us as if they hate us and if you ever talk back you’re in trouble” (70). Since McCourt understands this, he can move forward. He knows the power of his boss and does not try to usurp him. By staying on the good side of his officers, he can get promoted. Staying where he belongs will help him have an easier life later. A corporal named Dunphy helps McCourt clean his gun. McCourt doesn’t know why, but the officer says “[you’re] a nice kid” (72). As a result of following his officers’ orders correctly and working hard, Frank McCourt gains a corporal’s trust. When the colonel checks everyone’s rifles the next day, McCourt receives a three-day pass for having such a clean rifle. Obeying his officers eventually leads to freedom and happiness through his three-day pass. McCourt also works hard in other parts of his life to have an easier and happier life. When working as a civilian, Frank McCourt never stops, even if he hates the job. When he dreams of a better life he says “I don’t want to spend years in the Biltmore Hotel….I’d like to be a college student” (64). Although he is not happy with his job, McCourt works hard to save enough money for college. He is showing the readers that one can’t have everything at the beginning; it must be earned slowly. If he works hard at the Biltmore Hotel, he will raise enough money to go to college and get a better job. After working hard and living in small apartment rooms, he is accepted into college. His dream has come true. For Frank McCourt, hard work has paid off and he is living the American Dream. After having several serious relationships, he eventually marries Alberta Small. Together, they have a daughter named Margaret Ann. He follows in his father’s footsteps and “left for good a week before [Margaret’s] eighth birthday” (352). Although breaking up with his wife is hard, his life continues. McCourt wants the reader to understand that setbacks may seem bad at the time but can lead to good things. In his case, marriage makes work more stressful and he has a hard time doing things he likes. As his memoir comes to an end, Frank McCourt is happier than he had been when he first arrived in the United States. He has a job that he had only dreamed about when he first arrived and he owns his own house. He may not have beautiful teeth, look like a movie star, or have a tan; but he is happy. His stories teach the reader the American Dream is not what it seems to be. It is not just about beautiful bodies and wealth, but about happiness and love.

UpgradeOpossum 02:16, 8 April 2007 (UTC)

Hello, I read this essay............ So, how are you doing?