Wolfe Tone's failed revolution cost more than his life. Ireland paid the national price of continued English dominance. Even in today's popular culture, Irish bitterness is palpable. Angela's Ashes, the movie, is a case in point.

Although the great gloom of Irish poverty isn't enough to break Frank McCourt's spirit, Irish hatred of "the English" is a recurring theme in this humorless rendering of McCourt's humor-filled memoir. From school headmasters to school children, the movie dialogue reflects centuries of built-in, predisposed animosity:

• "The English" are the source of all the problems.
  
  
• Irish is the language of patriots; English is the language of traitors.
  
  
• We need to thank Euclid. His theories helped Germans create the Messerschmidts that bomb "the English" who persecuted us for 800 years!
  
  
• Good for "the English" - the Germans are giving them what they deserve!

Even going to work in English factories was a source of scorn:

• Why work in English factories?
  
  
• Why help England win the war?

Wolfe Tone had no illusions about his dream of Irish freedom. He knew he would pay with his life if "the English" maintained control of his country. "I am aware of the fate which awaits me," he said. One can only surmise if he had the same thoughts about Ireland's fate.

Questions linger about the after-effects of English rule. Are religious disputes in Northern Ireland rooted more in hatred of "the English" than in theological disagreements? When Angela's mother dismissively calls her son-in-law a "Presbyterian from the North," is she talking about his religion or his politics? Have religion and politics become so intertwined they are one and the same? Are the battle lines Catholics versus Protestants - or - Ireland versus England?

The seeds of Wolfe Tone's fate have become the Angela's Ashes of today. Unjust 18th century executions led to 20th century misery. If Wolfe Tone were alive now, it would be interesting to hear him predict what will happen next.

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