Most Symbolic Content

What is the connection, the relevance of the title Angela's Ashes to the overall plot? Frank McCourt's mother is named Angela but what does the word "ashes" have to do with anything? This quote provides an insight to the connection of the title and the story:
"... he asked Mrs. O'Connell at the post office if they had anything for McCourt all day and they didn't. Mam turns toward the dead ashes in the fire and sucks at the last bit of goodness in the Woodbine butt caught between the brown thumb and the burnt middle finger." (224)
Throughout all of McCourt's childhood, he and his family grew up in poverty. His father Malachy Sr. always "drinks the dole money" (208) and comes home "with the smell of whiskey on him" (27) every night. Because of his impulsive behavior to drink practically all the time, it has caused the rest of his family a lot of grief and suffering. There is barely any money left to go buy food and clothes, so McCourt and his siblings are starving and are dressed in rags. Malachy Sr.'s actions have left Angela in a lot of emotional stress and she is constantly upset with her husband, asking in frustration, "The children are hungry. You mad oul' bastard, did you drink all the money again? Just what you did in Brooklyn" (77). Angela has cried numerous of times and always seems to be staring "into the dead ashes in the fireplace" (285). The "dead ashes in the fireplace" and from her burnt cigarettes symbolizes Angela's dreams and hopes of ever getting out of their poverty situation. She always hopes that whenever her husband gets a job or the dole money that the income will go to them so they can buy food. But then her hopes crumble and turn to ash so to speak and the miserable cycle continues. Malachy Sr. got a job in a factory in Europe and everyday, Angela waited for a telegram with money; however, he did not send money regularly and they sank deeper into poverty. Even though Angela tries to be the best mother that she can be for her remaining children, it is clear that her demeanor is often sad and melancholy. It does seem like all Angela has left to cope with is staring forlornly at her crushed hopes and dreams of a little prosperity in the fireplace filled with "dead ashes".