nationalism

Much of the Irish nationalism comes out of hatred for the British. At school the teachers spread hatred for the English. Indeed, it seems as if you can't be Irish if you don't hate England. Even the dying Dennis Clohessy lies upon his death bed spewing hatred towards the English. Consequently, the Irish feelings of antagonism towards its former British colonizers remain just underneath McCourt's prose throughout the memoir. For instance, just as Frank the telegram boy criticizes the priests and nuns for for never giving him a tip, he similarly denigrates the English in the form of the protestant Mr. Harrington who has lived all his life in Limerick because he considers himself superior to the Irish and speaks with an English accent