In "The Scarlet Letter", what appeal does Dimmesdale use to convince Hester to reveal the baby's father?

Dimmesdale says that the father is equally as guilty and even though he should "have to come down from a high place" he would be better off in the end rather than trying to hide his sin. Of course, the irony is that Dimmesdale is speaking about himself. He is even in a "high place" both literally and figuratively at the time. He is up on a balcony looking down at Hester on the scaffold. He is also much beloved by the people. Of course, Hester refuses his request, but watch the spacial relationship between the two change during the second and third scaffold scenes. Dimmesdale ends up with Hester looking down on him.

At the beginning of Chapter 3 how does the author make Jack behave in order to portray him as a lower type of human being?

Jack was bent double.  He was down like a sprinter, his nose only a few inches from the humid earth....He lowered his chin and stared at the traces...Then, dog-like,  uncomfortably on all fours yet unheeding his discomfort, he stole forward...except for a pair of tattered shorts...he was naked.  he closed his eyes, raised his head, and breathed in gently with flared nostrils ...Jack [responds to a cry] with a hiss of indrawn breath, and ...became...a furtive thing, ape-like...He passed like a shadow...and crouched....

Golding uses animal imagery and words suggestive of animals to denote Jack's descent into savagery in Chapter 3.

What are some of Portia's characteristics in Julius Caesar?

Portia is an intelligent woman trapped in a man's world.

Yes, Portia is smart, observant, clever and strong-willed. She is from a noble family, has married into a noble family and is well educated in the spheres of the domestic and the political.

Portia is an unusual Shakespeare female character in that she does not perfectly fit the mould of the typical tragic female who is often characterized as being overly-romantic, unable to form her own opinions, and hysterical due to her inability to control her emotions.

Portia is different because she is the polar opposite of a typical tragic female character. However, she must still conform to the patriarchal world in which she finds herself which is why she can never truly be Brutus' equal. In the end, when Portia kills herself by swallowing hot coals, she is totally alone, having been abandoned by her father, Caesar and her husband. Without a male figure to attach herself to in order to justify her existence in the play, Portia is no longer useful and so subscribes to the hysterical female character trait and kills herself in a gory final act.

What does Ponyboy say is the difference between "tuff" and "tough"?

Early in S.E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders, the story's narrator, Ponyboy Curtis, is describing the nature of his and his fellow "Greasers" existence.  The Greasers are boys from 'the wrong side of the tracks,' the kids from lower-income families whose outlook tends toward bleakness and who are in a perpetual state of war against the children from families much higher up on the socioeconomic spectrum.  Discussing his wounds with older, tougher Greasers, Ponyboy is compilmented by Dallas Winston, the quintessential tough guy, an by Two-Bit, another Greaser, about his bruises and cuts:

"Nice-lookin' bruise you got there, kid."
I touched my cheek gingerly. "Really?"
Two-Bit nodded sagely. "Nice cut, too. Makes you look tough."

At this point, Ponyboy explains the difference between "tuff" and "tough," which he describes as follows:

"Tough and tuff are two different words. Tough is the same as rough; tuff means cool, sharp--- like a tuff-looking Mustang or a tuff record. In our neighborhood both are compliments."

Basically, "tuff," in Hinton's use, is analogous to "phat" in modern terminology, the manipulation of a word for social purposes.

Is "The Fall of the House of Usher" a love story, a comedy or a tragedy? Please justify."The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe.

Based on Aristotle's definition, an argument can be made that this story is a tragedy.

1.Tragedy depicts the downfall of a noble hero. Usher was once a great family as the now decayed mansion attests.

2.The tragic hero is often subjected to the will of fate. Roderick and his sister are the only surviving Ushers as the family bloodline has become too thin.  Because of the genetic degenration of the family, Madeline suffers from catalepsy and Roderick has a "nervous affliction" which effects oversensitivity, especially to sounds.  As they are debilitated, the Ushers are fated to remain in their home under the care of a physician.

3. He/She makes a tragic mistake because of a personal fraility, a flaw in reason or in nature.  A victim of his nervous affliction and overwrought nature, Roderick is tortured by noises; the stress upon his mind causes him to have "an inconsistency" in behavior.  With "trepidation" the "hypochondriac" is tortured by the fear of loss of  his sister who has been pronounced dead.  In reality she has had a seizure and is not really deceased. 

4.The tragic hero achieves some revelation or recognition about human fate or destiny.  This is a "change from ignorance to awareness of a bond of love or hate." Not allowing an autopsy for her leaves Madeline able to rise and embrace Roderick in a death grip as one; a consequence he has not recognized.  

What are are some text references for freedom, rebelliousness, and deception/trickery in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"?

Here are some more references:

Freedom on the raft, where Jim assumes the adult/parent relationship free from restrictions of society:  At the end of Chapter XVIII, Pip remarks

I never felt easy till the raft was two mile below there and out in the middle of the Mississippi.  Then we hung up our signal lantern, and judged that we was free and safe once more...Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don't.  You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.

Other chapters that refer to freedom on the river: VIII, XIV, XV, XIX

Deception involves Pa as he feigns his death in Ch. III.  In Ch. XI, Huck pretends to be a girl in Hookerville in order to learn if there is talk about his "murder" and Jim's having escaped/being accused of this murder.  In Ch. XIII, Huck uses deception for good, however, as he tells the ferryboat watchman that his family is on the ship, Walter Scott, so that the watchman will go the ship and catch the murderers.  His act of friendship in rescuing Jim from the treachery of the Duke and the King who sell him is deceptive, but again Huck's motives are good (Ch.XXXI

Of course, as mentioned previously, the greatest scoundrels, the King and the Duke, are criminally deceptive as they conduct scams in several towns along the river. Ch. XXIII has an example.

Rebelliousness is often in Huck's nature as he "takes up cussin'" with his Pa although he knows Miss Watson has forbidden his doing so.  He escapes from Pa in Ch. VII.  Huck also rebels against society when he rescues Jim from being caught as an escaped slave. In Ch.XXXI, Huck has an internal conflict: 

It would get around that Huck Finn helped a nigger to get his freedom....The more I studied it about this, the more my conscience went to grinding me, and the more wicked...I got to feeling.

Huck realizes that he "was playing double."  Jim is his friend; so, he saves his friend, despite the laws of society.

Help with analysis of important quotes in "The Sieve and the Sand" in "Fahrenheit 451"?The quotes are:"Sweet food of sweetly uttered knowledge"...

The overall purpose of these quotes is to confuse Montag and show him that books don't all agree; that authors put forth contrasting opinions.  The first one is saying that words and books can teach, which the second and third quotes indicate that it is foolish to uphold quotes, especially quotes out of context, as truisms.  All of this Beatty screams at Montag because he knows that Montag is having doubts about their society and especially the firemen's role in society as book burners. Beatty realizes that Montag not only has and has read books but is beginning to believe some of what he's read in those books and in what some people have said to him (Clarisse and Faber).  While Beatty tries to use these seemingly opposing quotes as proof of the contradictory nature of books and authors, it really only gives fuel to Montag's beliefs.  The quotes show that it is acceptable for people to express opposing viewpoints and books help to illuminate these differences, giving readers the ability to form their own enlightened opinions.  Beatty and the government of "Fahrenheit 451" do not want people thinking for themselves and forming their own opinions.  It's much harder to herd people who think than it is to herd people who simply follow the flashiest speaker.

In "The Crucible" does Mary Warren ever hang? It's for a project where we have to write diary entries for a character and i'm having a hard time on...

She never hangs, because she confesses to witchcraft, blaming John Proctor, saying that "He wake me every night, his eyes were like coals, and his fingers claw my neck, and I sign, I sign".  After this all of the attention turns onto John, and convicting him.

After this, there is no mention of Mary Warren for the rest of the play (Act 4).  For a diary entry for her for Act 4, you could maybe describe her chagrin at Abby and Mercy skipping town, her regret for caving and blaming John, her sadness at his hanging and all of the people who suffered.  Any other thoughts that you might have if you were Mary could be inserted-it could be refreshing to add some of that closure!  Good luck!

Why is Reverend Parris praying and weeping as "The Crucible" begins?

Parris' angst is reserved solely for himself, although, ostensibly, he is concerned for his daughter Betty, who is rigid under some sort of paralysis.

Parris does not want to believe, as Susanna, a neighborhood girl, claims, that he might want to "look to unnatural things for the cause of it." 

Despite Parris' frantic statements to the contrary, the community believes that there is indeed cause to think that the "unnatural" (ie, the devil) is involved in Betty's illness.  And Parris himself knows this might be the case, for he knows that both his daughter, and his niece, Abigail, had been discovered dancing in a pagan rite in the forest. 

But, again, it is not really for Betty that Parris' cries.  It is for himself, and his lauded position of leadership within the Puritan community.  If he allowed such a thing to happen, and within his own family no less, he must personally be tainted by sin. 

To understand this concept, one must know something about the belief system of the Puritan religion.  Briefly, the Puritans believed that there were only so many "spots" in Heaven, but no one knew who had those coveted places in Eternity.  Those who lived the "purest" lives on Earth were thought to be good contenders. 

So, Parris' indeed has a lot to be despondent about:  not only would he lose his earthly position, but his heavenly one as well.

Is there a complete eText for "Juno and the Paycock"? We need this text in an online format (preferrably not split but in one piece).

The drama "Juno and the Paycock" is online but the play is broken into acts and scenes.  The play is still under copyright and cannot be used for profit.  I think you can use it as a learning tool in the classroom, but you can't make copies and perform it without permission from the publisher.

In “The Petrified Man,” how is the man truly petrified?

In the beauty parlor Leona is talking about the petrified man and says, "But they got this man, this petrified man, that ever'thing ever since he was nine years old, when it goes through his digestion, see, somehow Mrs. Pike says it goes to his joints and has been turning to stone." A week later the ladies were talking about the rape and the Petrified man again and Leona comented that the Petrified man was not really petrified after all, but,        "Leota had begun to comb Mrs. Fletcher's hair. "I says to her, I says, 'I didn't notice you fallin' on his neck when he was the petrified man—don't tell me you didn't recognize your fine friend?' And she says, 'I didn't recognize him with that white powder all over his face. He just looked familiar,' Mrs. Pike says, 'and lots of people look familiar.'  The man simply stiffened his body and was covered in white powder to make him look as if he were petrified.

What changes are made to the Fifth and Sixth Commandments?

After the pigs begin drinking the whiskey, Napoleon gets so drunk that the next day it is announced that Napoleon is near death, Obviously he is hung over, so eventually the old commandment which read "No animal shall drink alcohol" is changed to" no animal will drink alcohol to excess". The sixth commandment is changed from "No animal shall kill another animal" to 'No animal shall kill another animal without cause. Eventually every other commandment is changed, especially the last commandment which embodied the spirit of all the commandments. It stated, "All animals are equal." By the end of the novel, it is changed to "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others." This is a sad and ironic statement about how the pigs are able to take over a revolution designed to give every animal equal treatment and free them of the tyranny of Mr. Jones. Instead, the tyranny of Mr. Jones is simply replaced by the tyranny of the pigs

What is a good scene in Macbeth that shows how Macbeth changes from a good, noble character into an evil character?

Perhaps one of the best scenes in which Macbeth's shift in character from noble to dishonorable would be in Act 3, Scene 1 when Macbeth  plans and discusses the upcoming murder of Banquo.

Before this point in the play, it has been established that Macbeth and Banquo are friends. However, due to the prophesies of the witches in which they said Macbeth would be king but it was Banquo's line that would last on the throne, Macbeth has become jealous and suspicious of Banquo.

Since Macbeth killed to attain the throne he believes Banquo would not hesitate to do the same. In the murder of Duncan, Macbeth needed much encouragement from his wife to complete the task, but in his meeting with Banquo's murderers, Macbeth is the one with the plan. He does not hesitate nor does he involve his wife in the conspiracy, showing that he is distancing himself from her and thus, is no longer in need of her provoking to do horrible things.

Macbeth's assassination plan is cunning and clever, showing the reader how he has developed into a cold, calculating murderer who would see his best friend killed before losing a crown so wrongfully earned.

How does the romantic period relate to the poem "Ozymandias"?

This is an interesting question just because it's not a usual thing for teachers to focus upon the Romantic characteristics in regards to this poem.  However, they fit really well!  This is especially true in the Romantic characteristics of importance of the common life as opposed to royalty/government, emotion, and nature (while it focuses less on the supernatural forces often seen within Romanticism).

First, let's concentrate on the importance of the "common man" instead of royalty, gentry, or upper classes.  Take this quotation:

Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp'd on these lifeless things

There is a statue here, yes.  It stood for an "important" ruler of the past, yes.  However, the statue lies in ruins.  The legs are "trunkless."  It is only a "shatter'd visage."  It is also "half sunk" where only the sculptor's idea of his age and severity stand according to the "wrinkled lip" and the "sneer of cold command."  Even though there is no direct statement of the common man here, what is clear that there is only a negative image presented of the ruler Ozymandias.  This lack of honor for a ruler is certainly characteristic of Romanticism mostly in that it contradicts the usual characteristic:  value of the simple life of a commoner.

Next, are the focus on emotion both of disgust (from the speaker) and from Ozymandias himself (due to his expression on the stone).  You can see the disgust from the speaker in his description from the above paragraph.  Further, you can see the emotion (or perhaps I could say, the pointless emotion?) that is expressed here:

"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

There is no better punctuation for an emotional interjection than an exclamation point!  The irony is that Ozymandias' exclamation, as well as the emotion behind it, is completely extinct.

Finally, we have to look at the obvious characteristic of Nature's sheer power.  This may be the BEST example in Romanticism, actually.  Although it's not in Nature's beauty of awesomeness, but in Nature's DESTRUCTIVE ability to tame the power of man.

Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, ...
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

The "powerful" man here is "trunkless," further the parts of Ozymandias that remain are "shatter'd."  It is a "colossal wreck."  Why?  NATURE has made Ozymandias that way.  If you look in between the lines, the part of nature that is DEATH has eliminated Ozymandias, a tyrannical ruler, from the planet.  The last line is fitting.  It is about the eternal nature of Nature.  It isn't Ozymandias that is "lone" and stretching "far away."  No.  It is Nature's sand, eliminating the power of the despot.

What is the Party's attitude toward love and marriage in 1984?

Love and marriage are extremely important to the Party, in a negative sense. In other words, they see love and the sort of marriage based on love as inherently subversive forces and attempt to regulate them and suppress them. They want the full force of people's emotions directed in ways that directly benefit the Party, first as love for Big Brother and second as rage and hatred directed against opponents of the Party. As O'Brien says:

There is no loyalty but loyalty to the Party. There is no love except love of Big Brother. All competing pleasures we will destroy.

Thus the Party destroys the family, trying to ensure that parents and children have no affection for each other and forbids sex for any purpose but procreation. O'Brien even lets slip that they are working on a way to prevent people from experiencing orgasms, as that sort of intense physical pleasure might be something people would strive for in a way that would interfere with single-minded loyalty to the Party. Winston's affair with Julia is thus viewed as treasonous and subversive.

Can you help me with understand how to solve this problem? Find the slope of the line that goes through the following points: (-4,6), (-8,6)

Given two points, you can always find the slope of a line. You're given 2 points (-4,6) and (-8,6) with specific values, but generally a point is referred to by (x,y). Now he point slope formula is:

1)  (y - y1) = m(x - x1)

     where m represents the value of the slope. Rearranging the equation gives:

2)   m = (y - y1) / (x - x1)

      so if you plug in your point values, you get

3)   m = (6 - 6) / (-4 - (-8))

      subtracting a negative number means you change the sign to addition:

4)   m = (6 - 6) / (-4 + 8)

      which simplifies to

5)   m = 0 / 4

      Zero divided by anything is zero, so the slope is zero:

6)   m = 0

      A zero slope means there's no slope; the line never intersects with the x axis; it's parallel to it, and in this case, it's parallel at y = 6.  Draw an X,Y graph with your two points and you'll see!

In "The Lottery", what does Old Man Warner mean by, "in June, corn be heavy soon"?

There is a suggestion in this story that by having the lottery each year, a human sacrifice to unseen forces in the universe or gods, that the survival of the town is assured for another year.   This is only hinted at, since no one can remember why they have the lottery anymore, only that it is tradition.

 In fact, the older members of the town, like Old Man Warner, directly links the bounty or plentifulness of the crops with the holding of the lottery.  That is why he is shocked when someone suggests that other towns have abandoned the lottery.

The lottery is held to please the gods, so that they will allow for a bountiful harvest, which is observed as on its way in June.   

What are the 3 depositions presented to the court in act 3 of "The Crucible"?

Act III is interesting, because it illustrates how illogical the court of Salem has become. The reader sees three men, Giles Corey, Frances Nurse, and John Proctor, come to court to present several depositions in order to free their respective wives. The court is at first very hesitant to hear their depositions at all, because they do not want the accused to be released. 

The first deposition is one signed by Mary Warren in which she admits that she "never saw no spirits" and that "it were all pretense, sir." John Proctor forces her to sign this deposition; she does not do so enthusiastically because she knows that Abigail will be furious. 

The second deposition is signed by 91 people and brought by John Proctor when he states, "These are all landholding farmer, members of the church. If you'll notice sir -- they've known the women many years and never saw no sign that they had dealings with the Devil." These people are then ordered to be arrested so that they may be "examined" by the courts.

Lastly, Giles Corey presents a deposition that he heard from "an honest man" that Mr. Putnam encouraged his daughter to accuse George Jacobs so that he could take Jacobs' land. Giles states, "I have it from an honest man who heard Putnam say it! The day his daughter cried out on Jacobs, he said she'd given him a fair gift of land." The court wants the name of this "honest man" and Giles refuses, knowing that the man will be arrested. Giles is taken into custody for contempt of court because he will not reveal the name, and is eventually killed by pressing. 

Each of these depositions is meant to show the absolute lunacy with which the court is assessing the claims of the townspeople when it comes to the accused and illustrate how absolutely unfair it is. 

Why were immigrants discriminated against in "America" Pathways to the Present"?

As is mostly always the case, the immigrants were seen as a threat to the status quo. They often spoke different languages, had different customs and tended to stick together in their own communities. They were also seen a threats to the economic security of those who were already here. They competed for jobs and sometimes, wages went down because there simply were too many competing for too few jobs. They made easy scapegoats for economic and social problems. If the crime rate went up, it was easy to blame the new immigrants. If economic times were tough, it was thought the immigrants were to blame for driving down wages. So people discriminated against them because they were afraid. They were afraid of losing their jobs, of not understanding another language, or trying to adjust to different cultures.

What is the purpose of "By the Waters of Babylon?"

"By the Water of Babylon" is a warning against using human knowledge too quickly without thinking of the consequences. At the end of the story, John says that the people in the City of the Gods, "ate knowledge too fast." In other words, they developed weapons and then used those weapons before they fully understood what the consequences for their civilization would be. Many people assume that the author was warning against the atomic bomb. However, the story was published years before the atomic bomb was first detonated, so his warning is probably much broader and includes other weapons of mass destruction such as chemical and biological weapons which did exist at the time he wrote this story. The author may also be warning about an inherent flaw in mankind. When John returns to his people, he vows to learn the knowledge he found in the City of the Gods. He is sure that he can use the knowledge wisely. His father, who is older and wiser cautions against this, but John, in his youthful enthusiasm, plans on ignoring his father's advice and teaching his people the new knowledge. Thus, the cycle of destruction may simply continue.

How does Herman E. Calloway react when he first sees Bud's rocks?

In the children's novel by Christopher Curtis, "Bud, Not Buddy" Herman E. Calloway and Bud are coming home from a gig and Bud shows Calloway his rocks with dates marked on them.  Calloway gets very upset and blames Bud for stealing the rocks.  He had showed Bud his rocks and Bud says, "hey those are just like mine."  Calloway and grabs them and says, "where did you get these rocks?"

Bud finally seems to convince him that his mother gave the rocks to him and this upsets Calloway even more because he realizes that if this is true then Bud's mother is his lost daughter.

In "By the Waters of Babylon", how is John's civilization different spiritually than the one that preceded it?

John's society seems to be one that is more in tune with nature and intuition than The Place of the Gods. John's people live in the middle of natural elements, not in a large city like New York. Thus, spiritually, their beliefs seem to be modeled after those of Native Americans, rather than modern day man. They seem to worship nature instead science. They have priests who perform chants, spells and do some healing. They have taboos and fear demons and spirits. Those "spirits" may be the bodies of those killed in what they remember as "the great burning." Having a tribal memory of some kind of great destruction that they don't fully understand, they are more superstitious than the "gods" of newyork. Yet, it is John's intuition that tells him to seek the truth about "The Place of the Gods" and his curiosity makes him vulnerable to thinking he can handle the knowledge of the "gods' as long as they don't take in the knowledge too quickly.

Why does the County Attorney in the play "Trifles" care so much about discovering a motive for the killing?

In a court of law, it is important for a prosecutor to have a motive (reason) for a defendant to commit a crime (particularly a murder).  When a prosecutor is presenting evidence, they must prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that a defendant is guilty.  Part of doing so requires showing that the defendant has a motive for committing the murder.  For example, in "Trifles," without the canary, the county attorney does not have a motive.  This is why the women ultimately decide to NOT let the men know about the canary.  Of course, this was not the ONLY motive for killing her husband (it was years of abuse), but it was the last straw for Mrs. Wright to kill her husband.

In "The Scarlet Ibis", what is Doodles attitude toward his brother?

Doodle really idolizes his brother, he loves him, looks up to him and wants to keep up with him.  One of Doodle's fears is that his brother, who is healthy and strong, unlike Doodle, who suffers from mental and physical handicaps, will leave him behind during one of their adventures.

"Everyone expects Doodle to die, but he defies them all and survives, becoming a loving boy with a strong attachment to Brother. Doodle is pulled around in a go-cart by Brother until Brother teaches Doodle to walk. This achievement, however, seems more important to Brother than it does to Doodle." 

Which word processing feature allows text to remain in the old position and also be duplicated to a new position in a document?Computers

If you copy a text, it does not change the text's position. You can then use the paste command to duplicate the same text into another position. First, highlight the text you want to move. The use the edit menu at the top of your screen and scroll down to copy. Or you can use the keyboard commands( usually "command, "C"). Go to the place in your document where you want the copied text to be placed. Make an insertion point by clicking your mouse in that space. Then go up to the Edit menu and scroll down to "paste" ( or use the keyboard command, usually command, "V"). The text in now duplicated in the new position.

In "The Catcher in the Rye", what are some examples of Holden being isolated or being an outsider?

At Pencey Prep, Holden does not have any friends. His roommate, Stradlater puts up with him, but they are not friends. The dorm neighbor, Ackley, also considered an outsider, isn't Holden's friend either. Holden finds something wrong with everyone, especially adults, whom he believes are all phonies.

Holden is disconnected from his life as a student, repeatedly getting kicked out of one school after another, he does not succeed academically. It is not because Holden is stupid, just detached, he doesn't care, he doesn't do any work. He seems to fail on purpose, unable to stop the process, because he is so depressed.

Holden leaves Pencey Prep before Christmas vacation officially begins, because he can't stand to wait around anymore. Stradlater goes out on a date with Holden's dream girl, Jane Gallagher, a girl that Holden adores, but one that he never calls.

Once Holden begins his travel to NYC, he meets a mother of one of his classmates on the train. He lies to Mrs. Morrow,giving her a false identity, not desiring to really connect with her. He tells her all kind of lies. Holden keeps himself at a distance from everyone.

Afraid of bumping into his parents or their friends in NYC, he checks into a flea bag hotel in a questionable neighborhood. He is lonely and isolated. He ends up engaging a hooker, just to have someone to talk to, he really only wanted to talk.

How did the Puritans die out?

Puritan philosophy never really died out; one could argue that institutions founded during their time, such as Harvard and Yale, continue to promote some elements of their philosophy established in the early 1600's.  In terms of religious belief, the Congregationalists are the direct descendants of Puritan theology.  In terms of politics, as the ruling group in colonial New England, Puritan authority remained supreme until about 1700, when the Salem Witch Trials destroyed the theocracy, which, along with increased immigration of non-Puritans who did not adhere to their religious beliefs, weakened Puritan influences.   The governmental system established after the Witch Trials was more democratic; and became more so up to and beyond the American Revolution.  However, even early on, Puritans relied on town meetings as a form of direct democracy;  their establishment of even a limited democracy which became stronger and widespread as the country expanded is perhaps their most important gift to us.

What is the theme of "Fireflies in the Garden" by Robert Frost and how does symbolism develop the theme?

The theme of Robert Frost's "Fireflies in the Garden" (1928) is based on a contrast between the 'genuine' and the 'imitation.' The 'genuine' is symbolised by the "real stars" in the sky and the 'imitation' is symbolised by the tiny "fireflies." It's dusk and the "real stars" have begun to shine in the sky above, at the same time, on the earth below, the fireflies with brightly lit up tails begin flitting about. Frost feels inspired to make a connection between these two seemingly unrelated phenomena.

"Emulate," could be used in a positive or in a negative sense.

If positive, Frost seems to approve of the effort of the minuscule fireflies in trying to imitate the stars above. To begin with they shine brightly but being tiny they die out soon and are no match for the heavenly stars which burn brghtly forever, however their attempt to shine like the stars is praiseworthy.

If negative, Frost seems to disapprove of the effort of the fireflies in trying to imitate the bright stars above in the sky. The implication is that the tiny fireflies are arrogant  in trying to compete with the "real stars."

Human civilisation progresses by imitation. Role models help us to channelise our energies to achieve success. But there is a flip side to imitation-without being aware of our limitations we, like the tiny fireflies, are not able to "sustain the part" and often  end up as pathetic failures.

In A Midsummer Night's Dream, what does Theseus think of the lovers' adventures?Why does Hippolyta initially seen hesitant to watch the play?

Theseus doesn't believe them, and thinks that their imaginations have quite a lot to do with it. Theseus contradicts Hippolyta's opinion that the lovers' stories are "strange", by telling her

More strange than true....

Moreover, talking of the imagination, he suggests that the mind,

...if it would but apprehend some joy,
It comprehends some bringer of that joy;
Or in the night, imagining some fear,
How easy is a bush supposed a bear?

They have, Theseus thinks, seen what they wanted to see.

Hippolyta is hesitant to watch the play, quite simply, because she fears that the mechanicals aren't up to the job:

 I love not to see wretchedness o'er-charged,
And duty in his service perishing.

"They can do nothing in this kind", she thinks - the mechanicals won't be able to act, and pull off the play. She's worried she might be about to witness a theatrical disaster.

In Chapter 17 of To Kill a Mockingbird, how does Reverend Sykes make it possible for the children to see the trial? Was he right to do so?

It is in Chapter 16 that Reverend Sykes invites the children to sit with him upstairs in the "Colored balcony" because all the seats are taken downstairs where the white people sit. He asks them if they think it would be all right if they came upstairs with him. "Gosh yes," Jem said, very happy to be invited. Once they were upstairs, Scout remembers that "Four Negroes rose and gave us their front-row seats." Reverend Sykes was kind to the children, and they knew and liked him. Atticus was much loved by the African-American community in Maycomb. At the conclusion of the trial, it is Reverend Sykes who tells the children to stand up in respect for their father as he left the courtroom.

How does Hamlet try to appeal to his mother in Scene III?

At first, Hamlet appeals to his mother through anger against her marriage to Claudius. He holds up to pictures, one of his father and the other of his uncle. He accuses his mother of letting her passion overcome her reason. Gertrude sees her guilt and begs Hamlet to stop, but he continues berating her. He accuses her of incest with “A murderer and a villain, / A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe / Of your precedent lord, a vice of kings, / A cutpurse of the empire and the rule, . . . ” He probably would have gone on chastising his mother except the ghost reappears. Only Hamlet can see the ghost so Gertrude is frightened that her son is speaking to “th’ incorporal air.” But the ghost reminds Hamlet that he is not to take revenge on his mother. Then Hamlet's tone changes to a softer approach. He tells his mother not to worry, that he is not crazy. Then he asks her to “Confess [herself] to heaven, / Repent what’s past, avoid what is tocome. . . . ” He asks her to refrain from sleeping with Claudius that night, “And that shall lend a kind of easiness / To the next abstinence. . . . ” He then asks his mother not to reveal his lack of madness to Claudius and reassures her that when he is sent to England he will outsmart Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and Claudius. This appeal to motherly love and protection obviously works because in the next scene, Gertrude lies to Claudius and calls her son mad even though she knows he isn't.

Why does the element Iron have a variable valency, sometimes Fe+2 and sometimes Fe+3?

Iron, as a transition metal, shares the same outer electronic configuration as the rest of the metals in its class, meaning the 4s orbitals are all the same.  Only the inner 3d orbitals change among these metals. However, these orbitals (4s and 3d) are close in energy, so sometimes Iron gives up its 2 outer 4s electrons, and sometimes it also gives up an inner 3d electron, resulting in an Iron ion having either 2 or 3 positive charges (Fe++ or Fe+++)

What is happening at the end of the story when Madeline Usher appears?

"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe is a horror story, in which an atmosphere of gloom, dread, and suspense leads up to a culminating moment of horror.

The nameless narrator is a boyhood friend of Roderick Usher who brings to the story a "normal" perspective of a sane person. He responds to a letter begging him to visit Roderick and travels to the ancient ancestral mansion where Roderick lives in an incestuous relationship with his twin sister Madeline. 

Madeline suffers from a form of seizure disorder called catalepsy. An important fact to remember is that victims of this disease could enter into a state like a coma in which they appeared to be dead. Madeline, who has been gradually growing sicker, appears to die, and is buried by Roderick and the narrator. She did not actually die though, but had just fallen into a cataleptic fit.

When she awakens from the cataleptic state, she realizes that she has been buried alive and claws her way out of the tomb. Her brother Roderick hears noises that are due to this, but he isn't sure whether they are figments of his own imagination or real.

In the second to last paragraph of the story, Madeline finally breaks through to the main body of the house:

... there did stand the lofty and enshrouded figure of the lady Madeline of Usher. There was blood upon her white robes, and the evidence of some bitter struggle upon every portion of her emaciated frame ...

Madeline then collapses and her brother immediately dies from the shock of seeing her. The narrator in the final paragraph leaves the house and sees the whole house collapse behind him.

What was William Shakespeare's family like?

When Willism Shakespeare was born, his family was fairly well off. His father was a leader in the town of Stratford on Avon. However, by the time William reached his teens, the family's fortunes reversed.It didn't help matters that when Shakespeare was only 18, he had to quickly marry a woman named Anne Hathaway. She give birth to a baby girl five months later. Three years later, his wife had twins. We don't know much about Shakespeare's family life but ten years later, it seems Shakespeare had left his family for London in order to become an actor and then a playwright. For the next 15 years, he stayed in London much of the time and we can infer that the relationship between he and his wife was not a particularly close one. When he retired, he did return to Stratford-upon-Avon. When he died, he left most of his money to his oldest daughter, and some money to his youngest daughters. Shakespeare's son had died as a child. Ironically he left only his "second best bed" to his wife. This suggests that he had the best relationship with his oldest daughter and that his relationship with his wife might have been strained. But he left the world more than his money; he left them some of the finest plays ever written.

Where were Shakespeare's plays performed?

Shakespeare worked mainly at two theatres during his writing lifetime, the Globe (now reconstructed on London's South Bank in its original site) and the Blackfriars.

The Globe was built first (and was actually made from the timbers of a previous theatre, "The Theatre" which Shakespeare and some other colleagues moved) and it saw the premieres of several of Shakespeare's best known plays, including "As You Like It", "Hamlet", and "Henry V" (which famously makes reference to the Globe as a "wooden O").

The Blackfriars theatre, on a different site, was built later on, and was, unlike the Globe, an indoor theatre. Critics are in some disagreement about which of Shakespeare's plays were written for the Blackfriars and which for the Globe, though generally, "All's Well That Ends Well" and "Measure for Measure" are usually thought of as Blackfriars plays.

One thing that is certain, though, is that Shakespeare didn't switch from the Globe to write only for the Blackfriars: it was during a performance of his play "Henry VIII" in 1613 that a cannon misfired, setting fire to the thatched straw roof of the Globe, and burning it to the ground.

How is Death of a Salesman a modern tragedy that links to the post-World War II era and modern day society?

Willy Loman does not fit the classic profile of the tragic hero, but there are some tragic elements in his character. Willy was not a great, well respected man who held a high place in society, as does the classic tragic hero, but he was a good man, even if misguided. Willy takes no actions in the play that could be characterized as genuinely evil or even deliberately cruel. He does work hard, try to take care of his family, and struggle on despite very difficult circumstances. Willy loved his boys when they were growing up and took an interest in their lives even though he frequently was working away from home. Because Willy was a decent man at heart, the knowledge of how deeply he had hurt Biff by being unfaithful to Linda causes him tremendous pain and guilt which he spends a lifetime trying to bury.

Like classic tragic heroes, however, Willy has a fatal flaw that leads to his downfall and destruction. He has a flawed values system. He believes that financial success is the measure of a man and that personality and appearance are more important than substance. Whatever it takes to succeed is acceptable in Willy's value system; lying and cheating are merely means to that end. Willy acts on his beliefs, teaches them to his boys with good intentions, and thereby destroys the integrity of both sons and his own life.

Willy's obsession with financial success can be interpreted as a reflection of the vigorous economic growth that followed World War II. The production of consumer goods exploded and systems of consumer credit were established. People began to buy what they wanted by using credit, going into debt. Advertising made Americans aware of all they could buy and convinced them to buy it. Materialism became an acceptable philosophy, creating strong business competition. Business success was measured by how much money a man earned. These values have not changed in modern life. 

What are some examples of snobbery found in "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens?

We usually think of snobbery as something committed by Miss Havisham and Estella. However, Pip also shows snobbery in Chapter 12 when he and Joe visit Miss Havisham. Even though Joe is dressed in his Sunday clothes, the best he has, Pip is embarrassed by the way Joe looks. He decides that Joe he “looked far better in his working dress.” Pip is even more embarrassed when Joe refuses to talk to Miss Havisham directly and instead talks to her through Pip. Pip says, “I was ashamed of the dear good fellow.” Even then, Pip is showing the beginnings of becoming a snob by wishing Joe would be something he can never be. And yet Joe is the best father-figure a boy could wish for. When Pip begins his apprenticeship, he is ashamed of being a blacksmith. He says, “it is a most miserable thing to feel ashamed of home.” He is terribly afraid that Estella might come to the forge and see Joe and Pip working and getting dirty at the fire. So Pip tries to teach Joe simply because“wanted to make Joe less ignorant and common, that he might be worthier of my society and less open to Estella’s reproach.” At this point, Pip snobbery makes it impossible for him to truly appreciate Joe's guidance and friendship.

What is the reason that the townspeople react so strongly to the veil?

While they are unable to pinpoint their exact reason for uneasiness, Minister Hooper finds himself in a self imposed exile from the company of his fellow man once he assumes the veil.  It seems at first that they are uncomfortable with this new appearance and fear what it is he hides.  If we believe Minister Hooper's dying words, then it is symbolic of secret sin that lies in the hearts of all man; therefore, if they shudder at the sight of the veil it is their own secret sin that they are reminded of and fear the revelation of in their own life. 

Can a physician proceed with diagnosis based on this molecular biology data? what is the purpose of the control lane?pl i need this answer for...

Since you mention molecular biology, I am assuming that the "test" being ordered by the physician relates to DNA or RNA separation.  Having worked as a Medical Technologist in a lab a number of years ago, I can tell you that DNA & RNA proteins are often separated through gel electrophoresis, one of the main tools of a molecular biologist.  The proteins are separated on the basis of size by running a DNA sample through agarose gel using an electrical field.  We refer to the "wells" in the gel as "lanes."  Typically, you might have a result with Lane 1 as a positive control, Lane 2 as a negative control, and Lane 3 as the sample.  The control lanes are used to compare & contrast your sample to the control lane to help identify characteristics.

I am not sure how to address the issue of diagnosis.  What was the molecular biology data given to you?  The control lane would certainly help to identify the sample, but you do not mention a specific test or data.

In "Life of Pi", how does Pi's faith contribute to his survival?I need to write an essay on this. Input would be greatly appreciated, along with...

For the first third of the book being entirely about Pi's devotion to religion in different forms, the rest of the book  is surpisingly sparse on any religious commentary or references.  While Pi is in the lifeboat, Martel hardly ever describes him thinking about God.  The first mention is in chapter 53, a couple pages in.  Pi is hopeless, and facing the realization that he will most likely die.  But then a voice in his head says that he will survive, he will not die, "as long as God is with me, I will not die.  Amen."  This resolves him, and he starts planning for survival, instead of moping or cowering in fear. 

At the very end of chapter 60, he discusses some Hindu symbolism to describe how insignifican the feels, then "mumbled words of Muslim prayer and went back to sleep."  He is able to fall asleep, to be comforted by his prayers.  In chapter 63, he lists his daily routine, and prayer shows up several times, so it was obviously on his mind.  In chapter 74, he describes religious rituals he practiced.  He says, "Faith in God is an opening up, a letting go, a deep trust, a free act of love-but sometimes it was so hard to love."  He goes on to describe his fear of losing faith, of sinking "to the very bottom of the Pacific."  But after this, he says that his faith always remained, "a shining point of light in my heart."

Those are just a few to get you started; I hope they help!

In Act 1, Scene 2 of "Macbeth", the sergeant is describing a battle in a war between what two people or things?

In this scene, Shakespeare reveals antecedent action involving Macbeth, Banquo, and the traitorous Macdonwald. In the passage, the term "sergeant" refers generally to an officer rather thana specific military rank. Througout the scene, Shakespeare refers to this officer as "Captain," which is a source of confusion for some readers.

The battle has occurred between King Duncan's forces and the armies of the King of Norway that have attacked Scotland. Macdonwald has joined forces against Duncan, bringing to the battle soldiers from Scotland's "Western Isles" as well as other soldiers. According to the captain, Macbeth fought his way through Macdonwald's forces until he faced Macdonwald himself and "unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, / And fixed his head upon our battlements."The captain continues that the king of Norway then mounted another ferocious attack, but that Macbeth, along with Banquo, "doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe," winning the battle.

A short time later, the Thane of Cawdor, another traitor, is captured and executed at King Duncan's order. Duncan rewards Macbeth for his courage and loyalty by giving him Cawdor's title and lands.

Describe the government of Oceania in 1984.

Oceania's government is a brutal technofascist police state. That is to say, it appears to be harshly fascist in its organization. It is organized around being at war, with a strict insider/outside mentality. Freedoms are restrained, and many things are illegal, down the level of thought. It keeps people in a strict class state (think of the proles), but allows limited private enterprise as a way to blow off steam (think of the pubs and little shops). It is "techno-" fascism because it depends on advanced technologies for observation and for mind control.

Who is the defendant in the trial of Twelve Angry Men?

The defendant is described by jurors as "a nineteen year old boy" who stabs his own father in the torso. Great deliberation takes place over his guilt or innocence, and in the end, it is decided that a hung jury will result. Stereotyping and generalizing language is used by the jurors to indicate that they see the defendant, at first, as someone of a "lower" status at this point in history. Those who believe the defendant is guilty keep referring to "they" and "them," as if the boy's race or socioeconomic status is a factor in their decision making.

What conflict does Huck have to resolve regarding Jim and how does he resolve it?

Huck struggles with the conflict between doing the "right thing" by conventional standards, or what society deems to be acceptable behavior, and his feelings of camaraderie and friendship with Jim.  A deeper analysis suggests that Jim acts as surrogate father for Huck, and Huck serves as a surrogate family for Jim, who was forced to leave his behind. So the question becomes should Huck turn in a runaway slave, and do what is right by what his religion and socialization tell him, and violate his friendship with Jim, or continue to remain on the outside of the culture as an outcast with Jim, and preserve his friendship with him? As he struggles for guidance, he decides to pray for an answer, to do the right thing socially, but realizes he cannot invalidate his love for Jim--he cannot "pray a lie." This is significant, because the conventional morality of his conscience then tells him he'll go to hell for that decision--but he accepts that and won't violate Jim's friendship. Although Huck Finn was published 20 years after the Civil War, it recalls the time when a slave had no standing as a person, unlovable, outcast, and fit only for labor.  Huck has enough humanness to see through this, and heroically is willing to pay the price to act upon it by not returning Jim to slavery.

In "Lonely Londoners", why are the characters called Londoners and why are they lonely?Also comment on the use of humour in the text. Thanks!

The title "Lonely Londoners" is directly related to the novel's main theme.  The main character, Moses Aloetta, is an emigrant from his native Trinidad to England, and specifically London, in the years after World War II.  The central theme of the story is the isolation and loneliness of West Indian immigrants in London during that time.

Moses and his loosely banded group of fellow West Indians feel displaced in their new environment, even though some of them have been in London for a number of years.  They are on the whole good people who want nothing more than "a little work, a little food, a little place to sleep...(they) only want to get by...don't even want to get on".  Yet the characters, who are black, struggle against racial discrimination and economic hardship.  Largely "unskilled and semi-educated", they are forced to live "in seedy furnished rooms in run-down areas and have to scramble for what jobs there are or go on the dole".

The immigrants' difficult situation is intensified by the fact that they have cut themselves off from "their roots and traditional means of support", but cannot find acceptance in their adopted home.  They exist in a hopeless state of isolation, "lonely" in the city of London.

The story is told in a light-hearted, comic tone, but the sense of emptiness which engulfs the characters' lives is overriding.  Laughter cannot completely hide the desperation they feel.

In Hamlet, does Claudius not like or trust Polonius?

I don't see why you'd get any reason to think that from the text itself - though it's something that could easily be brought out in a production. And, in Act 1, Scene 2, Claudius is all praise for Polonius:

The head is not more native to the heart,
The hand more instrumental to the mouth,
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.

The head can't function without the heart, the hand can't function without the mouth, and the throne of Denmark can't function without Polonius. Praise indeed from the King.

Later, in Act 2, Scene 2, Polonius asks Claudius directly "what do you think of me?" - and receives this response:

As of a man faithful and honourable.

So I think, if Claudius is suspicious of Polonius, he doesn't really express it openly - and their relationship, on the surface, is friendly. So friendly, in fact, that you wonder whether Polonius might have known about Claudius' murderous plans before they were carried out...

Although Peter Quince seems to be the designated leader or director in this group of workmen, what draws our attention to Nick Bottom?

One simple explanation is that Bottom has the lion's share of the lines.  Also, of all of the craftsmen, his personality is the largest.  In the first scene with the rude mechanicals, even though Quince ostensibly runs the "rehearsal", Bottom dominates.  He wants to play every role and gives an example of his brilliant acting for each one.  

In "To Kill A Mockingbird", what happens to the tree where the twine was found in chp7, and explain Jem's reaction to it.

Near the end of chapter 7, Jem and Scout are on the way to school when Jem notices that "someone had filled [their] knot-hole with cement."  So, the hole where the mysterious friend had been leaving gifts for Scout and Jem was completely filled in with cement.  Jem immediately tries to reassure Scout, telling her not to cry.  But then he gets to thinking, and starts watching for Mr. Radley to walk by.  As soon as he does, Jem asked him if he was the one to fill that tree hole with cement.  Mr. Radley confirms that it was, and the reason was that the "tree's dying.  You plug 'em with cement when they're sick."  Well, this explanation doesn't sit well with Jem.  He asks Atticus if the tree is sick, and Atticus confirms that it is a very healthy tree.  Then, Jem stays out on the porch, upset, and when he comes in, Scout "saw that he had been crying."  

All of this implies that Boo was leaving things for the children, and Mr. Radley, who Calpernia in chapter one said was "the meanest man ever God blew breath into", filled the hole with cement to put a stop to their friendship.  It is a very sad thing, Boo's father shutting down any sort of happiness or companionship, and Jem is obviously upset that he would be so mean to his own son.

Please paraphrase Shakespeare's "Sonnet 149".

The real question of Sonnet 149 is who is this woman?

In fact, she is the lower soul of the poet, the part of all of us that accounts for the feelings of lust and anger. This insures that we will be fixated on lower biological urges, enabling us to reproduce and protect ourselves. We are compelled by nature -- God's plan -- to love this part of ourselves and serve it, as the poet tells us that he does.

This love blinds us to the "defect" of this way. We find this urge fascinating even though it may conflict with the desire for a higher, godly life, the aspect urged on us by our "higher soul," the latter represented as the "dear boy."

The "hate" felt from the lower part of himself is the contempt this part feels for the higher striving. Those that recognize this recognize that this is a form of love, but in the sonnet, the poet is in the phase where he is overwhelmed by these lower urges.

The two aspects are in opposition but are complementary and the good life consists of the balance we bring to the two urges.

In other words, this sonnet is part of the allegory that is Shakespeare's Sonnets. Its essence is identified in Sonnet 144 that describes these two "angels" that vie inside us. In this sonnet, the poet indulges in expressing his love for this lower part of himself. 

How do the witches fortell Macbeth's destiny?

The three witches that are introduced at the beginning of the play are responsible for the introduction of the ideas that caused Duncan’s death and Macbeth’s destruction but not for Macbeth’s actions themselves. They recount to Macbeth three prophecies; that Macbeth will be: 1) Thane of Cawdor, 2) Thane of Glamis, and 3) King. Macbeth welcomes the ideas spawned from the witches’ prophecies, which is what triggered the spiral of events in this story. Macbeth eventually followed through with killing King Duncan. It was sometimes thought that the witches had the ability to reverse the natural order of things. This brings to the play the idea of fate and the role it has in the play. One can wonder if Macbeth ever had a chance of doing what was right after he heard the witches’ prophecies. However, it is more realistic to believe that Macbeth was responsible for his own actions throughout the play and in the end it was he that made the final decisions. The witches could predict the future, they can add temptation, and influence Macbeth, but they cannot control his destiny. Macbeth creates his own misery when he is driven by the guilt of his actions. This causes him to become insecure about his actions, which causes him to commit more murders. The witches offer great enticement, but in the end, it is each individual’s decision to fall for the temptation, or to be strong enough to resist their appeal.

What is the meaning of Terry Bisson's short story "Bears Discover Fire"?I can't find any help about this short story, and it is so hard to...

"Bears Discover Fire" is described by John Clute in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction as a story that "elegizes the land, the loss of the dream of America; it is also very funny".

"Bears Discover Fire" is a story about Uncle Bobby, a 60-year-old man concerned with his dying mother, in a world where bears have, as the title suggests, discovered fire. Fire is a symbol of what separates man from animals.  The bears of the title are mostly an afterthough in the story. They are unimportant to his life except as background curiosity, in which the truely important wonders of our world are lost in in just trying to make it fromday to day. As the bears evolve, Uncle Bobby tries to protect his mom, and accept her dying by easing her out of the world through death. At the same time he is struggling to raise his nephew, to teach him some common sense and morality. As the humans seem to be letting their civilization slip, the bears are founding a society. "Looks like bears have discovered fire," Bobby's brother Wallace drawls at the end of Bisson's story, a dry anticlimax that sums up the story's  ironies into a final, critisim of mankind's failings. Bears have discovered fire. And people have lost it.'

How did Shakespeare die? What caused his death?

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616. The cause of his death is unknown.  He was 52 years old when he died.  He had been retired for several years and was a grandfather.  He was buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford, at the age of 52, on April 23, 1616. Just four weeks prior to his death, on 25th March 1616, William made his will.  Some writers have wondered if this was a coincidence or if he knew he was dying.

A contemporary of Shakespeare was said to have reported the following:

"Shakespeare, Drayton, and Ben Jonson had a merry meeting and it seems drank too hard

On Shakespeare's tomb is the message:

“Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare,
To dig the dust enclosed here.
Blessed be the man that spares these stones,
And cursed be he that moves my bones”

What are the everyday uses of Hydrogen?

Hydrogen is found in massive quantities all over the universe. It is found in many places right here on Earth. So, it should come as no surprise that it is used in so many of the products that we use today.One of the more common uses of Hydrogen is gasoline. It has been found that hydrogen is safer to use than diesel or gasoline. Hydrogen is used to make rocket fuel for our space program and the oil that heats our homes.

Hydrogen can even be found in products that we use every day! Cosmetics companies use hydrogen in many of their products. Hydrogen contains bleaching agents that help fade age spots or freckles. If your mother or older sister has ever gone from a brunette to a blond, it is possible that the product she used contained hydrogen. Hydrogen can be used to make fertilizer, ammonia, and cooking oils.

Just about everyone has used Hydrogen Peroxide as a disenfectant when they have gotten a cut or scrape. But, did you know that it has uses outside of first aid? For example, you can use it along with baking soda to whiten your teeth. Combine it with water to clean your windows, or with sugar for an all- natural insecticide.

Hydrogen burns cleaner and is safer for the environment. Many environmentalist groups are pushing for the use of hydrogen as an alternative energy source.

What are some examples of naturalism in "Araby"?

Naturalism contains the view that man if often controlled by circumstances he cannot control. In "Araby", there are three obstacles the narrator must overcome over which he has little control. The first is his uncle's lateness. The narrator has no control over his uncle and is afraid he will never get to the bazaar. Secondly, the train is delayed, which makes the narrator even more nervous. To make matters worse, once the narrator reacher the bazaar, he can't find a cheap entrance. Once he finally gets into the bazaar, it is closing and the place he believed would be exotic turns out to be rather tawdry. Thus, his plan to get Mangan's sister a wonderful present is constantly impeded by circumstances he cannot control.

What is unusual about Smiley's mare and what are the metaphors used to describe her?

Well, the horse seemed completely useless for racing; Smiley describes her as "so slow and always had the asthma, or the distemper, or the consumption, or something of that kind". 

Another unusual thing about her is that in a race, she always started off way behind, but then right near the end picked up her pace and won by a neck's length (coughing and sneezing the entire time). 

The metaphor that people used for her was "fifteen-minute nag", referring to the fact that she seemed so slow that it would take her 15 minutes to finish a race.  Besides metaphors, Smiley describes her picking up the pace in a very descriptive and humourous way; read through it in paragraph 5 or so-there's some great imagery in there.  I hope that helps!

What was the author's purpose in writing Frindle?

The author’s purpose in Frindle was to entertain, but also to inform.

Andrew Clements is a children’s literature mastermind.  Most of his stories have to do with schools, and often with extremely bright kids trying to buck the system.  Frindle is no different. 

Clements’s first purpose is to tell an entertaining story, and one that kids will like.  Frindle is about a boy who fights authority, using an interesting name for pen as a metaphor for childhood curiosity.  Kids will love it.

The story of a playful and somewhat naughty boy owes much to children’s classics like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, as is evident by the oath Nick has his friends sign.

From this day on and forever, I will never use the word PEN again.  Instead, I will use the word FRINDLE, and I will do everything possible so others will, too. (ch 6, p. 38)

Yet there is a deeper meaning here too, and Clements writes a story that has almost allegorical or fairy tale qualities.  It is a lesson in how to cultivate imagination, and the consequences of following authority.  Nick is so scarred by the events that get out of his control that he almost stops being who he is.

On the outside, Nick was still Nick.  But on the inside, it was different.  Oh sure, he still had a lot of great ideas, but now they scared him a little.  (ch 14, p. 88)

Because of the far-reaching consequences of his imagination, Nick almost loses his creative spark.  Mrs. Granger gets him back on track, and when he is older he gets a letter from her explaining why she acted as she did, and “by fighting it, she had actually helped it along” (ch 15, p. 100). It's a lesson to kids to fight for what you believe in.

It’s a lesson to all teachers and parents to guard children’s imaginations carefully, and protect them from the adult world just a little longer.  

What is the falling action of the short story "Through the Tunnel" ?

ms-mcgregor
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High School Teacher

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(Level 1) Educator Emeritus

Posted on November 1, 2008 at 2:06 AM

What was the role of America in WWI?

WWI occured as a result of political instability, alliances, arms build-up, mistrust, etc. Much simplified, here is what happened:

1. Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was killed and Austria-Hungary believed that Serbia had something to do with it, so they wanted to crush Serbia.

2. Germany was an ally of Austria-Hungary, and promised to take their side and help them if they needed it.

3. Russia was an ally of Serbia, so they declared war on Austria-Hungary, so Germany declared war on Russia.

4. Germany knew France would not stay out of a war between Germany and Russia, so Germany declared war on France also.

5. Germany wanted to surround France, but to do so they had to go through Belgium. They asked permission and Belgium said no, so Germany declared war on Belgium too.

6. Great Britain was an ally of Belgium, so they declared war on Germany. And so began WWI. America was not involved at this point.

The war seemed like it would last forever. Neither side could force a decisive victory and neither seemed so superior that the other side was tempted to give up. When, at last, peace talks were held, the United States was involved and was a major player in events outside of itself for the first time in history.

President Wilson wanted the peace to be fair to Germany, while the Allies blamed Germany for what happened. Wilson gave a speech where he outlined the Fourteen Points that he thought would bring about a fair peace.

Why did Stevenson choose to tell the story from Mr. Utterson's point of view rather than use Jekyll's from the beginning?

Although Mr Utterson's telling of the story is technically the first person point of view, he is nevertheless an outsider looking upon a situation he doesn't understand. By witholding critical information - that Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde are indeed one and the same person - Stevenson creates both intrigue and suspense. The reader deduces the truth about the same time as the narrator and his friend Lanyon and shares their horror upon learning the truth. Note that Mr Utterson, being a lawyer by trade, would try to take an unbiased position despite his friendship with Dr Jekyll. Lanyon, more subjective by nature, trusts his "gut feelings" and is quicker to come to the truth. Both would intervene to help if they could, despite the atrocities Hyde commits. This heightens the conflict of the story (and therefore its literary interest).

Stevenson could have written the story from Dr Jekyll's point of view. In this case it would have been a type of confessional narrative, such as Poe's "The Black Cat," "The Tell-Tale Heart," or "The Cask of the Amantillado."  

What is the summary for Chapter 11 of Into the Wild?

Chris McCandless was born to Walt McCandless, an intelligent, intense aerospace technician, and his second wife Billie, in 1968.  As a child, he showed unusual independence from the time he was a toddler.  In elementary school he was placed in an accelerated program for gifted students, but tried to reason with his teachers and administrators that he didn't really belong there.  His sister Carine remembers that though he was popular, "he was very to himself...he could be alone without being lonely".  Chris got good grades in school with little effort, and although he was small, he was a great athlete.  He  "had little patience for learning the finer points" of organized sports, however; "nuance, strategy, and anything beyond the rudimentaries of technique were wasted on (him)". 

Walt and Billie McCandless often took the family on camping and hiking trips; "there was always a little wanderlust in the family, and...Chris had inherited it".  Walt remembers that "Chris was fearless even when he was little...he didn't think the odds applied to him".

In high school, Chris became passionately concerned with the plight of the downtrodden in his community and the world, and although he was a natural entrepreneur, he came to believe that wealth was corrupting and evil.  He announced to his parents that he was not going to go to college, but complied with their wishes, going to Emory University and excelling academically. 

What does, "I am still a beast at bay" mean in "The Most Dangerous Game"?

Rainsford is telling General Zaroff that the game is not over. Zaroff should consider Rainsford as the prey he was tracking before. Now, however, Rainsford has returned to Zaroff's bedroom, but the hunter understands how a hunted animal feels. He refers to himself as a "beast at bay" because  he is unable to retreat and forced to face danger. "Bay" is a reference to the baying or barking of dogs used in hunting. In Rainsford's case, he has chosen to face Zaroff a final time in the hope that he can eliminate his foe.

What made Romeo and Juliet's love an infatuation?if possible please list 3 examples

Just moments before Romeo saw Juliet, he was desperately in love with Rosaline. This shows that he falls in and out of love quickly, which means he doesn't know what deep, true love is.

When Juliet first meets Romeo, she is in his presense for only a short time, but she already thinks she is in love with him. She has not developed a relationship to foster love. She is speaking of her first reaction to him, infatiuation.

In Act II it speaks of Romeo and Juliet being "bewitched by looks," meaning that their mutual attraction is really love, but lust.

In The Outsiders, how does Pony's dreaming, or lying to himself, finally work out?

In The Outsiders, Ponyboy is different from his friends. There is a gang culture in his town and rivalry between the Socs who "jump Greasers and wreck houses" and the Greasers who "hold up gas stations and have a fight once in a while" (ch 1). He is a Greaser and tries to stay out of trouble so that he can stay with his brothers and not be taken into care because both their parents died in a car accident. Ponyboy knows he is "smart... with a high IQ" but admits that "I don't use my head." Johnny Cade who "has it awful rough at home" is his best friend and Ponyboy talks about how any other person may have become "rebellious and bitter" but not Johnny, although his family situation is "killing him" (ch 2). Ponyboy and Johnny "understood each other without saying anything" (ch 3).

When Ponyboy chats to Cherry he realizes that Greasers "feel too violently" whereas Socs "don't feel anything" (ch 3) although Ponyboy would never hurt anyone and couldn't even use a "busted bottle" in a fight. He dreams of "the country" and a happily-ever-after scenario where his parents are alive and even Johnny comes to live with them. This helps him survive the harsh realities and the unfairness of life between the Socs who have everything and who beat up Greasers just because they are bored and the Greasers who have to drop-out of school just to manage.

After a fight with the Socs, Johnny and Ponyboy have to get away because Johnny has murdered a Soc who was trying to drown Ponyboy. The boys catch a train on Dally's instructions so that they can hide out and again Ponyboy dreams of his ideal place again and is poetic in his descriptions of the dawn. He keeps hoping that his reality is a dream and that he will wake up at home because reality is too harsh but Ponyboy knows he has to "quit pretending" (ch 5) and calm his "over-active imagination."

It is Ponyboy's ability to appreciate his surroundings that inspires Johhny and later, when Johnny dies, Ponyboy has to find a way to cope and it is easier to deny everything and pretend not to feel anything, just like Cherry told him she does when faced with a situation. Denying the situation allows Ponyboy to process his grief. He says in chapter 10, "This time my dreaming worked. I convinced myself..." Ponyboy is ill from concussion and when he starts to recover he tries to block out his thoughts but ultimately, he accepts his friend's death. Ponyboy had just hoped it "wouldn't hurt so much" (ch 12) but he is no longer overwhelmed. 

To whom could Montresor be talking, fifty years after the murder, and for what reason??

The listener could be any kind of person imaginable, but Poe puts the reader himself in this role. In this way, he or she gets "involved," ready or not!

Poe used this kind of confessional narration in other famous short stories as well, for example "The Black Cat" or "The Tell-Tale Heart." The reader is considered a friend or a person of confidence (such as priest or doctor vowed to silence) to whom one can tell the darkest and ugliest secrets to!

With a stretch of the imagination, one could imagine Montressor telling the story to his next victim (perhaps already chained to the wall as Fortunado was) since the secret will die with him, too!

1.The three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before he left the country to study abroad.

The relationship  between grandmother & author was friendly ,    as in the first phase when author's parents leaved him to the village & went to live in the city she used to wake him up in the morning & get him ready for school , she used to fetch his slate which was washed and plastered with yellow chalk , ink pot & a red pen , she use to tie them in a bundle & hand this all things to author. And they use to go to temple every day while moving to school.

in the second phase we came to know that when author's parent were settled in the city , they call them there & this was the only turning point in their friendship as in the city author use to go to english school in a motor bus & that's why gramndma was not more able to give a company in his studies & to school. thus their relationship was changed as before & now they see less of each other.

in the third phase when author went to university he was given a separate living room & from that day relation between him & grandmother was changed their friendship was snapped . she use to sit in her wheel & start her prayers & she never tries to talk to anyone .

What was America's social climate like during Walt Whitman's lifetime?need help!!!!

Since Walt Whitman (1819-1892) lived throughout most of the 19th century, he saw many changes take place in America, chief among them the Industrial Revolution which gave birth to a rising middle class.  In the North there were many factories and much overcrowding and poverty in the cities.  Poor children rarely went to school as they had to work.  They often starved, were infected with lice, or died in childhood of disease. In the South there were wealthy landowners or poor sharecroppers and slaves--no middle class.

Whitman was the second son of a housebuilder, so his family was part of the new middle class.  Within this class there were divisions, as well: the industrialists believed in free trade and "laissez-faire." There were two basic feelings of the middle class toward the lower class:  The lower class was morally inferior and/or intellectually inferior, or the lower class was victimized and needed instruction in values, morals, and social reform.  Whitman certainly fell in the perimeter of the latter way of thinking.  When he moved to New Orleans as a young man, he was appalled when he first saw the slave market.  Upon his return to New York as a journalist, he founded a "free soil" newspaper, the Brooklyn Freeman.  During the Civil War, Whitman helped care for wounded soldiers, one of whom was his own brother.  After the Civil War, he vowed to write and "purge" and "cleanse" his life.  He lived on a clerk's salary and later moved to Camden, New Jersey and cared for his aging mother.

The Romantic Movement in literature certainly fit Whitman with its emphasis upon feelings, imagination and intuition as a means of acquiring knowledge, its conviction that poetry is superior to science, and its distrust of industry and city life as well as an interest in the more "natural" past and in the supernatural.

What makes Shakespeare's Hamlet a play for our times?I just need a tad more indepth knowledge about what makes Hamlet timeless, why we still act...

Hamlet is the story of an idealistic, rather 'head in the clouds' young man who is forced to accept the brutal reality of life and human behaviour. It is a tale of growing up. Of the mental and emotional struggles young people face coming to terms with 'Life'.

This is an eternal story because we have all been through it (or will do).

Many many others have written about the difficulties growing up, but no-one wrote it so beautifully nor so clearly as Shakespeare. He is immortal, as long as there are people they will read Shakespeare... 

 ...so loving to my mother
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth!(145)
Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on; and yet, within a month—
Let me not think on't! Frailty, thy name is woman—
A little month, or ere those shoes were old(150)
With which she follow'd my poor father's body
Like Niobe, all tears—why she, even she—
O God! a beast that wants discourse of reason
Would have mourn'd longer—married with my uncle,
My father's brother, but no more like my father(155)
Than I to Hercules. Within a month,
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,
She married. O, most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!
It is not, nor it cannot come to, good.
But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue!

What does the wild fire that happened at the beginning and the end of the story symbolize?Does it symbolize savagery?

For nought so good but strain'e from that fair use/Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse:/Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied;/...In man as well as herbs, grace and rude will;/And where the worser is predominant/Full soon the canker death eats up that plant. [Romeo and Juliet, II,III, 19-30]

Shakespeare's Friar Laurence answers this question:  The wildfire exemplifies virtue having turned to vice.  It is symbolic of the civilized human nature--a life-saving signal--gone awry. The wildfire destroys the vegetation and life on the island; civilization has "stumbled on abuse." 

While the boys are civilized and rational and under control, the fire is tended on a regular schedule.  However, when the boys ignore it, the fire, "misapplied," gets out of control. Later, after the boys  paint their faces and, hide behind their masks. They act out their savagery and hunt pigs and the fire is untended; thus, it becomes a wildfire and the "canker death eats up that plant":  Death and killing take dominance over civilized behavior--"kill the beast! kill the beast!" the boys chant.  They become obsessed with destruction, and their obession with killing Ralph allows the wildfire to begin its "canker death" of the island.  The wildfires symbolize the virtue of civilization turned to the vice of savagery in the boys of "Lord of the Flies."

Could I have an explanation of section 2 of the poem "Ode to the West Wind" stanza by stanza?

Shelley wrote the "Ode to the West Wind" during his stay in Italy. The poem describes a storm arising in the autumn season in the Mediterranean Sea and being driven towards the land by 'the west wind.'  In the second section, Shelley vividly describes the meterological process of the gathering storm in the distant horizon of the Mediterranean Sea.

In the first stanza Shelley compares the storm clouds which are being formed at the horizon ("tangled boughs of Heaven and Ocean") and being driven inland by the west wind to decaying leaves shed by the trees during autumn.

In the next two stanzas, the storm clouds are compared to  "angels" which carry the rain inland. They announce their arrival by fiery flashes of dazzling lightning which reach up into the sky from the ocean at the horizon. The flashes of lightning are compared to the bright hair of the maenad (the maenad is a frenzied  spirit which attends on the Greek God Dionysus).

The mournful sound of the autumnal west wind compels Shelley to regard it as the funeral song of the dying year.The section concludes with comparing this night in  which this funeral song will be heard to a huge funeral vaut which contains within it the compressed might and awesome power of the storm which is about to break out in all its fury.

What are the differences between Tom Buchanann and Jay Gatsby in "The Great Gatsby"?Please show me some quotes from the book to prove that...

There are quite a few differences between these two men.  First of all, although both men are extremely wealthy, Tom's money came from his family wealth while Jay Gatsby made his money on his own, though he did it illegally.  Tom also is characterized as a violent and prejudice person who does not see why anything should be any way but his own.  He looks down on people because of who they are or where they are from.  Meanwhile Gatsby's contrast is shown in how gentle he is toward Nick, Jordan, and especially Daisy and in the fact that he is business partners with a Jewish man -- Meyer Wolfsheim.  Finally, whereas Tom seems to be the one who is evil, it is actually Gatsby who is corrupt in business and who expects Daisy to leave her husband and child to be with him.

In "The Monkeys Paw," why does Mr. White not want to answer the door when he knows it's Herbert?

Mr. White has figured out the whatever is on the other side of the door should rightfully be sent back to the grave.  By the time that Mr. White makes the first wish for 200 pounds and makes the last wish for Herbert, or whatever is behind the door to return to the grave, he has figured out that the monkey's paw is an instrument of dark magic.  

Mr. White realizes that whatever form Herbert is in on the other side of the door, it does not belong out of the grave.  The man was crushed by a machine, he is terrified at what the wish might have done to reconstruct a form of Herbert.

Although Mr. White had given in to Mrs. White's pleading to make a second wish on the monkey's paw to bring Herbert back, when he does not return immediately, Mr. White becomes suspicious.  He realizes that with his son dead for ten days, he cannot imagine what kind of monster is really at the door.

"For God's sake, don't let it in," cried the old man trembling. (Jacobs)

  "You're afraid of your own son," she cried, struggling. "Let me go. I'm coming, Herbert; I'm coming."   (Jacobs)

In Act 2 of Death of a Salesman what does Ben by, "Not like an appointment at all. A diamond is rough and hard to the touch"? I'm sure there's...

Ben implies that an appointment is something intangible, unlike a diamond, which is something one can hold in his hand. Willy's career as a salesman is built on appointments, a routine type of business but based on uncertainties because he is never assured of success. Ben, on the other hand, made his wealth by accepting the challenge of going into the jungle and seeking diamonds, truly a symbol of success. Ben is critical of Willy because Ben has little respect for the kind of career path Willy has chosen instead of selecting to follow Ben into the jungle. Willy, as a result, has not become successful or wealthy.

In Act II of Macbeth, what are examples of simile, hyperbole, personification, metaphor, irony, and imagery?

Act II is rich in figurative language, opening immediately with personification. Banquo refers to the moon as "she." He then notices that "There's husbandry in heaven. Their candles are all out." Those in heaven who control such things have dimmed the stars for a dark night. This is also an example of metaphor; "candles" acts as a metaphor for the stars that Banquo cannot see on this night.

One passage of particularly vivid imagery describes Macbeth's "fatal vision" as he sees the daggar floating in the air before him. In front of his eyes, the dagger turns bloody: "And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, Which was not so before." During this same soliloquy, Macbeth talks of the wolf that "moves like a ghost," an example of simile. Within this simile, also can be found personification because the wolf is "murder's sentinel."

A memorable example of hyperbole can be found in Macbeth's expression of the guilt he feels after Duncan's murder. Macbeth wonders if an ocean could wash the blood from his hands, then responds: "No; this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red." The overstatement here is immense and effective.

A great irony in Act II is found at the end. The kings sons, Malcom and Donalbain, flee out of fear for their lives, but in doing so, they look guilty and are then suspected of murdering their own father.

What does mortal terror mean as a symbol in "The Tell-Tale Heart?"7th paragraph

In this paragraph of the story, the old man senses someone in the room; he can't see or hear anyone, but senses someone there despite this.  At this realization, he lets out a "groan of mortal terror" which the narrator describes as the "low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe".  The narrator himself has felt this awe, this terror himself.  The rest of the paragraph has the narrator describing the increasing fear the old man must have felt as he listened, listened, and wondered about someone being in the room.  The narrator takes delight in that growing fear, and claims to know "what the old man felt", as if he is in the man's head.  Such arrogance is typical of this narrator, and is further evidenced with his cocky behavior when the police show up.

The groan is a symbol of the old man's impending doom; he should be feeling afraid, he should be groaning in "mortal" terror, as his mortality is about to be taken from him.  It is also symbolic because the narrator has claimed to have felt that feeling before, and now he rejoiced to have the old man feel it.  It is also a symbol of the narrator's power; he likes that the old man knows he is there, and that he is powerless, he likes feeling the old man realizes what the narrator is about to do.  It emphasizes the narrator's perverse attitude, need for control and power, and total arrogance.

In The Scarlet Letter, what are two symbolic images of good and evil that battle over Dimmesdale's soul?

As sometimes happens, I am not sure of what you mean by your question, but I will try.

In my understand, symbolic images don't "do battle." I think you are referring to the two forces that may symbolize the fight between good and evil that battle for Dimmesdale’s soul --- Chillingworth and Hester. Chillingworth is the more obvious. He is obsessed with the desire to get revenge of Dimmesdale for the wrong he has brought on Hester. He becomes the Leech, sucking the soul out of Dimmesdale, seeking not his death, but the prolongation of his agony. Dimmesdale is keenly aware of this evil. In Chapter 17, the forest scene, he tells Hester, “That man’s revenge has been blacker than my sin. He has violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart.”

The force for good in Dimmesdale’s life is, of course, Hester. The forest scene makes it clear that she has never stopped loving him and that he, could he face himself and say it, he knows that he has never stopped loving her. In this scene they touch for the first time in seven years, years where Hester has waited for him, hoping that they could escape, suffering and recovering alone, but always being there for Dimmesdale. She must be one of the sustaining forces in his life, a symbol of the love that was once the best thing in his life.

So the stage is set and the battle rages … and in the end neither force can win.

Who is Colonel Sherburn, and what aspect of human nature does he criticize?

In Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Colonel Sherburn is a store owner who guns down a local drunk named Boggs who has ridden into town threatening to kill the colonel and insulting and taunting him until Sherburn appears on the street.  After Sherburn kills Boggs, a number of the town's men decide to confront the store owner, leading to one of the novel's seminal events.  In Chapter 22, the lynch mob arrives at Colonel Sherburn's home expecting to take matters into its own hands.  Sherburn steps out onto his porch to confront the angry mob, and instantly takes command of the situation, declaring:

“The idea of you lynching anybody! It’s amusing. The idea of you
thinking you had pluck enough to lynch a man! Because you’re brave enough to tar and feather poor friendless cast-out women that come along here, did that make you think you had grit enough to lay your hands on a man? Why, a man’s safe in the hands of ten thousand of your kind—as long as it’s daytime and you’re not behind him."

Labeling the mob a bunch of cowards, Sherburn continues to lecture the group on its inability to stand on its own and to exercise any degree of courage in the face of true adversity.  The anonymity of a mob provides each individual courage he doesn't possess on his own.  As Twain has this rare figure of courage and dignity state: 

"The pitifulest thing out is a mob; that’s what an army is—a mob; they don’t fight with courage that’s born in them, but with courage that’s borrowed from their mass, and from their officers."

Huck and Jim's journey has been filled with examples of man at his vindictive worst.  In Colonel Sherburn, they view a man of stature and foreboding who will not back down.

What happens to Antonio on the island in "The Tempest"?What does Antonio learn while he is on the island plz help me due tomorrow!

Once on the island, Antonio colludes with Sebastian to murder King Alonso and Gonzalo. Having plotted the banishment of his brother, Prospero, twelve years earlier, he has only grown more evil in the intervening years. Antonio successfully plants the seed of murder in Sebastian's mind by appealing to his greed for power. Very cleverly, Antonio reminds Sebastian how simple it was for him to take the dukedom away from his brother years earlier and how simple it will be for him to do the same. Just as the two men raise their swords to take the lives of the sleeping Gonzalo and Alonso, Ariel awakens Gonzalo with a warning.

Their plot foiled for the time being, Antonio and Sebastian remain intent on following through at the next opportunity. When confronted by Ariel for his evil overthrow of Prospero, Antonio is unmoved. When confronted and forgiven at the end by Prospero, Antonio remains unrepentant. There is no indication that Antonio changes his ways in the course of the play.

What is the climax, falling action and resolution of "Sonny's Blues"?

The climax of the short story "Sonny's Blues" is when the brothers wittiness a scene at a revival meeting. The narrator witnesses it from an upstairs window while Sonny witnesses it from the street. The women in the incident address each other as "Sister."

A literary climax is the moment at which the end result of the conflict is predictable, events turn at that point and lead to the resolution. It may be a moment of great emotion or action but it may also be a moment of quiet epiphany and revelation, as is the case in "Sonny's Blues."

After the revival scene the falling action starts when the brothers confide in each other and the narrator tries for the first time to see Sonny's point of view. They go to the club together and Sonny plays, taking control of the music and making something worthwhile of himself out of it. The narrator, in the audience listening and watching, understands that Sonny has held onto and built up his personal identity through the blues, and he realizes there is a universal truth to the worthwhile nature of blues. This is the resolution.

How is "Lord of the Flies" considered a realistic or naturalistic novel? Please use specific examples.

Naturalistic writers believe that man is often controlled by forces he cannot control. This is very evident in the novel. First, the boys are forced by a world war to board a plane which is supposed to evacuate them from danger. They had no control over the beginnings of the war and they have no control over the plane, which crashes on a tropical island. After that, the naturalistic elements are represented by the "beast" and the boys' inability to control the natural "beast" which is in them. They try to set up a civilized government with Ralph as the chief. But, little by little, the enticements for evil are too difficult to ignore. After they kill a pig and get a taste for blood, their civilized society begins to break down. The "Lord of the Flies" has the answer to their problem. As he tells Simon, " I am in you." That is why the boys cannot control their own behavior. This leads eventually to murder and almost to the total destruction of the island itself. If the British navy had not been close ( another element they cannot control) and seen the smoke from the fire that is about to destroy them, they would not have been rescued in time to save their lives. But, ironically, the naturalistic elements continue because the boys will be forced off the island and returned to a war over which they have never had any control.

In "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. In what ways does Okonkwo compensate for his father's weaknesses?

To tackle this question, you will want to take three steps.

One: identify at least three weaknesses that Unoka possesses (keeping in mind that "weakness" is in the eye of the beholder and in the eye of one's culture). What has Unoka accomplished -- or not accomplished? What has Unoka neglected? (Chapter 1 has several excellent examples that will help you.)

Two: examine Okonkwo's actions. At the end of chapter one, you will find a brief list of Okonkwo's choices in his life that are in direct opposition to his father. Then, look forward into chapter two, beginning in the section, "Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand..." to find some more examples of actions that extend from those mentioned in chapter one.

Three: elaborate on these examples by explaining how these represent "compensation." To compensate means to counterbalance or make up for. How do Okonkwo's actions show that he is trying to be the opposite or make good for his father's weaknesses? A strong, elaborative answer will also evaluate Okonkwo's choices in light of the wisdom, emotional health, and ethics. What motivates Okonkwo to compensate for his father, and is this movitation smart, sound, and moral? In other words, does Okonkwo compensate for the right reasons? In your answer, take time to evaluate the compensation in light of psychology and ethics.

As you read the book (or if you have already finished it) keep in mind that you will want to look at the consequences of Okonkwo's choices (of his compensation) and see how things pan out for him. Was his course of action wise, healthy, and moral?

Keep in mind cultural mores of the Ibo in early 20th century Nigeria vis-a-vis modern American mores. Today's American citizen might judge Okonkwo differently in some ways and similarly in those who live in Umuofia.

Good luck!

Why is the play called "The Miracle Worker"?

The play is called The Miracle Worker because Annie Sullivan worked a miracle when she not only taught Helen Keller to communicate but also when she brings the Kellers closer to each other. Helen's entire family thought that teaching her was hopeless. They had pretty much given up on her ever being able to live a normal life. Sullivan, however, believed otherwise. She refused to give up on Helen because, in a sense, she would be giving up on herself. Sullivan's persistance opened up the lines of communication with Helen and showed her a new world. Mr. Keller was very uncommunicative and harsh toward his son James. Sullivan is the only one who stands up to his harsh criticism and eventually she makes him realize that he has become a hard man. Sullivan also made James realize that he was a man and had the ability to stand up to his father's criticism. Sullivan worked a miracle with the entire Keller family. She believed not only in Helen but also in herself, and because of this belief, a miracle occured.

Generally, plays do not have narrators. How does the fact that Tom is the narrator affect the style and content of "The Glass Menagerie"?

Tom is not only the narrator, but the protagonist of the play. The play is told from his memory. As Tom points out at the beginning of the play, Tom gives us truth "in the form of illusion." Thus, when seen on stage, parts of the play seem rather "dreamy" and, of course, we see all the action from Tom's perspective. We can only guess what the events would look like from Amanda's, Laura's or Jim's viewpoint. If Tom had not been narrating the events, the audience would have never really know the context of the action or the consequences on Tome of leaving his sister.

Why does Hamlet call Polonius a fishmonger?

In Act II, scene ii, of Hamlet, Polonius approaches Hamlet to incite a display of Hamlet's madness to be able to give confirmation and explanation of it to Queen Gertrude and King Claudius. When Polonius speaks, Hamlet calls him a fishmonger. A fishmonger is a person who sells fish.

While some contend that Hamlet uses this as a derogatory term to directly insult Polonius, Polonius does not react to it as an insult, thus does not take it as a derogatory term. All Polonius says is, "he knew me not at first; he said I / was a fishmonger: he is far gone [in his madness]." Remember that his opening query to Hamlet is, "Do you know me, my lord?" which is in and of itself an odd opening comment between people who have known each other from of old. Hamlet must certainly have realized that Polonius was testing the proposition that Hamlet was mad. 

What Polonius does take as an insult is Hamlet's comment about his honesty: "I would you were so honest a man." Polonius's response is clearly one of surprise and shock that he would suggest a lack of honesty in Polonius's inner nature: "Honest, my lord!"

Although "fishmonger" has in recent times been compared to the word "pimp," suggesting Hamlet is verbally attacking Polonius for his ideas about and treatment of his daughter, Ophelia, there is no historical evidence that "fishmonger" had any such meaning in Early Modern English of the Renaissance.

In any case, Polonius certainly did not require that Ophelia associate with Hamlet in order to please the King. On the contrary, he warned her that she must not think of Hamlet, because he is a Prince and has duties to fulfill that do not include marrying merely for love.

... thus I did bespeak:
'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star;
This must not be:' and then I precepts gave her,
That she should lock herself from his resort,
Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;

This tells us the reason that Hamlet makes this intentionally ironical remark and calls Polonius a fishmonger is to (1) taunt him and tease him by saying something inexplicable; to (2) give more substance to his madness act; and to (3) express his contempt for Polonius's meddling in his family affairs. The primary reason he ironically calls Polonius a fishmonger is (4) so that he can express his disrespect for Polonius's honesty, or for what Hamlet perceives as his dishonesty: "I would you were so honest a man." This perception of dishonesty is Hamlet's suspicion or knowledge of being manipulated and spied on by Polonius.

Contrast Benvolio and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet.From their fight and their relationships with other characters,

You can contrast the two with:

Peace Maker vs Aggressor

People see Tybalt as the Aggressor and Benvolio as the Peace Maker, like the two poles of the Planet. Benvolio values Peace and likes to stop fights. This is shown in Act 1 Scene 1 in the Market Scene, where he said "I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me." It is said during the Market Brawl/Fight scene where Benvolio tried to part the two houses and stop the fight. This clearly shows that Benvolio is the peace maker. In contrast, Tybalt is shown as the Aggressor. This is shown in Act 1 Scene 1 68-70 "..., and talk of peace! I hate the word As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee." This was said after Benvolio invited peace amongst the families and Benvolio rejecting that idea. Those two examples shows us that one person values peace and the other values war and hatred, in other word the "Aggressor". With Aggression and Peace comes respect from their community.

Trust and respect from society

Although being in the upper class of the society, Benvolio and Tybalt have different respect and trust from the society. Tybalt, with his brutality and love for fights tend to be less trusted by the community. An example would be in Act 1 Scene 5 86-87 "Be quiet...For shame...I'll make you quiet" That is said by Lord Capulet when he told Tybalt not to fight Romeo, this is an excellent example that shows us that Lord Capulet does not trust Tybalt and has to blackmail and order him to stop what he is wanting to do. In contrast, Benvolio is very trusted and respected by the community. This can be shown in Act 2 Scene 5 150 "Benvolio, who began this bloody fray?" This was said after the Romeo and Tybalt fight, where Romeo slayed Tybalt and the Prince arrives at the scene. Out of everybody that was in the scene, the Prince only requested Benvolio to tell the truth, that is an excellent example that shows us that the community has repect and trust Benvolio. Although, trust and respect is important, a thing far more important is family loyalty.

Family Loyalty

Many people see that Tybalt asa bad man and Benvolio, is a kind and trust-able man, but the fact is, that they are quite similar in terms of Family Loyalty. Family is actually quite important to Tybalt. It is shown in Act 1 Scene 5 75-76 "It fits, when such a villain is a guest. I'll not endure him!" This is said when Tybalt saw Romeo at the Capulet Party and him wanting to take revenge after the Market Brawl. Although this might sound like aggression, it has quite a lot of Family Loyalty behind it, because he knew that if the Capulets and the Montagues fight again, the Prince will punish the Victims by death. He didn't care because Romeo trespassed in the Capulet area and he was about to do anything he can to kill Romeo. Benvolio is quite similar in the fact that he cares quite a lot about his Family Members especially Romeo. This clearly shown in Act 1 Scene 1 158-160 "...sad hours seem long" and "...What sadness lengthen Romeo's hours?" This is said when Lord and Lady Montague was worried about Romeo and told Benvolio to help search for Romeo. As you can see, Benvolio sensed the sadness of Romeo and tried to understand and help Romeo solve his problem. The examples given, clearly shows that Tybalt and Benvolio are quite similar in terms of Family Loyalty.