Pa Keating Character Analysis in Angela’s Ashes

The kind, likable husband of Aunt Aggie, Pa Keating is, like Malachy McCourt Sr., a heavy drinker and a gifted storyteller. As several points in the memoir, he comforts Frank McCourt when Frank is feeling sad, and as the story goes on it’s clear that Pa Keating is an important influence on Frank’s sense of hopefulness, as well as his flair for telling a good tale.

Pa Keating Character Timeline in Angela’s Ashes

The timeline below shows where the character Pa Keating appears in Angela’s Ashes. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Margaret and Aggie take Angela to a local boardinghouse, where Aggie lives with her husband, Pa Keating —Angela and her family are to live there. Margaret pays the rent in the room,... (full context)

...gives Angela an onion and pepper—supposedly a good medicine for young children. Aunt Aggie and Pa Keating also help to support Frank and his siblings—they’re amazed that the children haven’t heard of... (full context)

Catholicism, Sexuality, and Coming-of-age Theme Icon

...that Oliver has died of the cold. Malachy Sr. and Angela weep profusely. Malachy Sr., Pa Keating , and Frank go to the local pub. There, Frank sees his father and Pa... (full context)

...from speaking unless spoken to, but also gives them tea and bread. After a time, Pa Keating comes home, and Aggie explains to him that Frank and his siblings will be living... (full context)

...to write a letter to his father about Angela’s condition. Frank enjoys spending time with Pa Keating , who plays cards with the children. Frank imagines having had Pa Keating for his... (full context)

After work, Mr. Hannon takes Frank to the pub, where Frank finds Bill Galvin and Pa Keating . Hannon buys Frank lemonade, and gets a beer for himself. Frank notices that his... (full context)

Frank turns sixteen, and goes to a pub with Pa Keating . There he drinks his first pint of beer, and talks with Pa Keating about... (full context)

...of drinking, Frank staggers home. Inside, he finds Angela waiting for him. Angela insists that Pa Keating should have known better than to let Frank drink so much. Frank yells that he... (full context)

...songs. Halfway through the party, Aunt Aggie remembers that there’s a lunar eclipse that night. Pa Keating says this is a good sign for Frank’s journey, but Aggie insists that it’s actually... (full context)