What's the mood of act 1 scene 1? What contributes to this mood?Why did Macbeth find it hard to believe the witches' prediction would come...

Macbeth knows the Thane of Cawdor, and believes he is alive and well, and so he finds the prophecy to be ridiculous.  However, when the noblemen arrive to tell them of Cawdor's betrayal and upcoming execution, Macbeth is swayed into thinking that the "weird sisters" are credible.

Lady Macbeth is ready to believe the sisters easily, and wants to move things along immediately.  She fears, however, that Macbeth is too weak of spirit, lacking in the ambition he would need to murder his own kin.  This would prevent the death of Duncan and prevent Macbeth gaining the crown.

Macbeth has honest objections though.  Duncan is his king and his cousin;  he is Duncan's host, and should not bring harm to him; Duncan has been a good leader and is well liked.

The messanger brings the news that Duncan will be visiting the castle.

Why after Tom Robinson's trial does Jem say Boo Radley wants to stay inside? If you could also give a page number and a quote, that would be...

This declaration comes right at the end of chapter 23.  After talking with Scout, who Aunt Alexandra spent much of the chapter trying to impress upon what it means to be a Finch, Jem comes to the conclusion that Maycomb has a caste system where people are ranked not just by money but also by familiar history, race, color, education, and so on.  When Scout tries to make sense of this she declares that there is just one kind of folks, and this just plain old folks.  This prompts Jem to state that he knows why Boo stays inside.  We can infer that Jem means Boo stays inside to avoid all of the classification and discrimination in Maycomb.  He can avoid it all by just staying shut up in his house.

What is the theme of "The Lady, or the Tiger"?

There is the theme of love, that is, the confusing nature of love. The princess falls in love with a handsome young man.

". . . and she loved him with an ardor that had enough of barbarism in it to make it exceedingly warm and strong".

The theme of determination and free will; the semi-barbaric king allowed the prisoners who were subjected to his judgment to choose their fates. No one was allowed to interfere with the prisoners’ choice of the door.

The theme of civilisation and barbarity is also evident in this short story. The king is termed as semi-barbaric. “In the very olden time there lived a semi-barbaric king”. Also the princess is said to be barbaric.

“The girl was lovely, but she had dared to raise her eyes to the loved one of the princess; and, with all the intensity of the savage blood transmitted to her through long lines of wholly barbaric ancestor. . .”

What is the theme of "The Necklace", and how does the author use symbolism and irony to explain this theme?

  The Necklace's theme is to be happy of what you have now, and treasure it.  Like Madame Loisel, she thinks that she didn't have enough after buying the beautiful dress using his husband's 400 francs, she borrowed her friend's daimond necklace.  If she knew to treasure what she have, the daimond necklac ewon't be lost and she would not need to spend 10 years working for the money for the daimond necklace.  Actually, in my opinion I think Madame Loisel did not only trouble herself but also her husband, her husband had to work with her for 10 years to earn back the money.

   Usually, after 10 years, there will be a lot of money if they svae their money, but in order to pay back the necklace, they had to .  This made them face poverty.

I need to write a thesis statement about Cash Bundren, in As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner How would I go about writing the thesis statement?

In addition to the superb answer above, you may want to focus on the style of Cash's narrations, his tools, and their relationship to his mother.  Cash's duty toward his mother is utilitarian and unemotional: he wants to please his mother with things (making the coffin), and even after she is dead he regards her as a thing, something made, whose function is to be put in its proper place, like one of his tools.

In terms of narrative style, Cash is very mathematic.  He makes lists and references angles.  The most notable is the bevel, which is a 45-degree edge.  Geometry is important in As I Lay Dying: Anse is vertical, always standing (he hates things flat: the road); Addie is horizontal, dead in her coffin.  So, Cash is somewhere in the middle: half alive, half dead.  In this tragi-comedy, Cash walks a tightrope between the two, nearly dying twice: jumping into the river to save his mother's coffin and suffering from the complications of having his leg set in cement.

Each of Cash's tool represent a member of the family. (See the essay link below for details).   Addie is the sawset; Darl is the plane; Dewey Dell is the plumb line; Vardaman is the saw; Anse is the rule; Cash is the square:

In his essay "Faulkner's As I Lay Dying," Tim Poland posits that Cash's “entire identity is located in the fact that he is a carpenter,” and that “[h]is sole means  of expression is through his carpenter skills”. Poland notes that when Cash loses his tools to  the flooding river, he simultaneously loses consciousness and the ability to speak. Thus, Poland links the  loss of Cash’s tools to the “submersion of Cash’s selfhood”. As Poland observes, it is not until the tools are found that Cash regains both consciousness and speech.

Why does Atticus say that they aren't through yet?To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The passage in To Kill a Mockingbird in which Atticus says this line is very revealing of his character. After he returns from court, Atticus speaks with his sister, Aunt Alexandra, who asks if Jem is all right, commenting that she did not think it wise that the children attend the trial.  But, Atticus counters her by replying that Maycomb is their home and they need to cope with the attitudes that exist there.  Alexandra says,  "Atticus,...you are the last person I thought would turn bitter over this."

"I'm not bitter, just tired.  I'm going to bed."  Atticus turns in the doorway because Jem stands there and asks, "How could they do it, how could they?"  Atticus replies,

I don't know, but they did it.  They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it--seems that only children weep.  Good night.

This is a rare incidence of Atticus's not having an answer for his children.  However, he does not fabricate one or try to "sugar-coat" his response.  He again speaks to his son honestly, stating what he perceives as a hard truth.  Compassion for men like Tom Robinson comes only from children, implying that only children use their hearts in all judgments.  But, lest his children become too disillusioned with life at such a tender age, Atticus is more positive in the morning, reassuring Jem,

It's not time to worry,yet.  We're not through yet.  There'll be an appeal, you can count on that..."

Explain how Boo Radley interacts with the children and what his actions reveal about his feelings and attitude.Use the following points in your...

Boo never verbally communicates with any of the children until he quietly "almost whispered... 'Will you take me home?' to Scout in the final chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird. Before that, he used the knothole of the tree to give Jem and Scout gifts. He also mended Jem's pants after the children's raid to the Radley porch, and he comforted Scout with a blanket on the night of the fire. His actions show his intent to remain invisible and silent, but they still showed the children that he was not the ghoul that town gossip dictated. When old Mr. Radley found out about the communication via the knothole, he immediately cemented it up in order to keep Boo away from any contact with the children; yet Boo still found a few ways (mentioned above) to show his tender side. His final heroic deed at the end solidified his true nature, though it would prove to be the last that any of the children would see or hear from him again. Boo apparently wanted to maintain his absolute privacy and secrecy once he knew his special friends would be safe with Bob Ewell out of the way.

What do you think the secret knowledge of "The Beasts of England" signifies? How do events in 1990-91 correlate with this?

The song "Beasts of England" is a parody of the socialist anthem "The Internationale".  Both songs call the people of the community to unite for the common good.  Both songs suggest a better future.  People (animals) will be safe, healthy, well-fed and happy if only they unite against tyrannical governments and take control themselves. 

"Beasts of England" correalates to the end of the socialist regime in Russia, which came about in 1990 and 1991.  Although, like in the story, the people overthrew their tyrannical Russian czars, the new government ended up in tyranny again.  The socialist leaders, like the pigs in the story, took more control and more wealth and made conditions more unbearable than before.  So, when the socialists fell in 1990/91, the "Tyrant man" again lost his throne.

Whats interesting now is that the cycle seems to be beginning again.  The recent vote in Russia is supporting a return to a communist/socialist regime.  The people are seeking again are more glorified future.

What is the significance of Carver's choice of a cathedral as catalyst for the narrator's learning experience, and what dimension does it bring?

It isn't explicitly shown in the story, but the cathedral suggests a religious or spiritual experience. The cathedral symbolizes the themes of the story. Change and transformation can occur in a religious, holy place such as a cathedral, and it is a place where humans can connect with God and with each other. The major themes of the story deal with the alienation and loneliness of the narrator and his wife. Through the experience with Robert, it's suggested that both the narrator and his wife have a chance of perhaps connecting with one another and with other people by the end of the story. The world opens up for the narrator once he closes his eyes and imagines the cathedral, suggesting perhaps a transformation in his life, even if it is a small one. In order to reach that point, the narrator must use his imagination and creativity, suggesting the power that imagination can have in helping people to overcome difficulties in their lives. Many times, a person can experience an epiphany, or great insight, in a religious service, and the narrator has such an epiphany at the very end when he's able to "see" the cathedral with his eyes closed.

In Animal Farm, what is significant about how the animals arrange themselves as they gather to hear Major?

Significantly, Old Major speaks on "a sort of raised platform" above the other animals, immediately undermining by virtue of his physical position the equality about which he will speak. In addition, it is also important that even though at first there is some order to the gathering, pigs in one place, ducks in another and so on, very quickly that order collapses as  "the dogs suddenly chase the rats," giving lie to the comradeship Old Major speaks about so eloquently.  

What should be included in an answer in an English Honors class to ensure full credit?This is in reference to novels and poetry responses.

As a teacher of English Honors courses, I expect my students to submit thorough answers that restate the question and thoroughly answer all parts of it, using textual evidence to support opinions.

If the question is relative to a novel, literary terms such as characterization, foreshadowing, irony, imagery and plot triangle should be referred to and expanded upon in the answer. Also, the author and title of the novel should be included in the introductory paragraph.

For a question relative to poetry, poetic devices such as rhyme, alliteration, metaphor, simile, oxymoron and the like should be mentioned and expanded upon in the answer. The question should also be restated, and the title and author of the work should be mentioned.

Suppose you knew the makeup of specific proteins in a cell. How would you determine the particular DNA code that coded for them?

You couldn't know exactly, but you could come close. Proteins are made up of long chains of amino acids. There are twenty different amino acids. Each is coded for, in DNA, by one or more sequence of three different nucleotides. Since some of the amino acids are coded for by more than one set of 3 nucleotides, you can't determine the exact DNA sequence. For example, leucine is coded for by 6 different 3-nucleotide sequences, so just knowing that leucine is in a particular spot in the protein chain doesn't tell you which set of 3 nucleotides gave that particular leucine.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, why was Tom’s statement a “mistake” and why did the spectators dislike it?He said he felt sorry for Mayella Ewell,...

This is a most interesting statement in light of the times nowadays.  In essence, for that time and that society, Tom Robinson's statement that he felt sorry for Mayella was what is today called "politically incorrect."  Ironically, it is in reverse to what usually occurs in present-day America.

Of course, Tom's intentions are none other but to be truthful; the idea of his making any claim to be better than Mayella is fallacious and completely out of character. (Notice, also, that he has not said that he pities Mayella; he has stated that he felt sorry--these words differ greatly in connotation and denotation.)

Certainly, Tom's candidness connotes his complete lack of "situation ethics" that are also employed in modern society.  These false ethics Tom does not understand as he is completely ingenuous.  The only ones like Tom Robinson are the children, who in their innocence, also do not realize that one cannot always say what comes from the heart.  The scene in which Tom Robinson gives his testimony, indeed, reinforces the symbolism of his being a mockingbird as the jury commits the sin of effecting his death when they condemn him for his "thinking he is better than a white."

What is "true virtue" and how does it apply to A Separate Peace?

In the book A Separate Peace true virtue appears to represent the idea of being a good person and a true friend with nothing: expected in return except friendship.  The Encarta World Dictionary lists virtue as "the quality of being morally good or righteous."

In the book Gene experiences jealousy over Finny who is popular and outgoing.  Finny is able to charm the school professors while getting away with mischief.  Gene is envious of Finny.  Finny is unaware of the envy and considers Gene to be his best friend.  He is always trying to get him involved in his activities.

Gene misinterprets Finny's actions that cause Gene to miss some studying time as Finny competing with him over grades.  He becomes angry at him because he believes he is trying to sabotage his studies.  As a result Gene joggles a tree branch causing Finny to be seriously injured.

The idea of true virtue is central to the novel.  Gene learns that Finny had never wanted anything but his happiness and had never tried to sabotage him academically.  By looking closer at Finny's noble and honest personality, one learns that he is indeed very virtuous and has become a victim of his own virtue.

Gene, on the other hand, tries to do the right thing and tell Finny what he ahd done.  Finny can not hear it emotionally though.  Gene is left holiing his own guilt and wondering if he has any virtue.

What are the allegories used in Inferno(only the first section)?

In the first Canto, Dante encounters the leopard-who tries to stop him on his way, but isn't too worried about being effective. The leopard represents Self-indulgence.

The lion is fierce and threatening towards Dante and represents Violence.

The she-wolf is the worst. She represents Malice, and Dante is unable to go any further.

Describe and give examples of each of the following:a) Company mission statementb) Strategic objectivesc) Corporate objectivesd) Marketing objectives.

Company mission statement is a brief declarative of why a business is in business.  Example from Mozilla.org: "We believe that the Internet should be public, open and accessible."

Seemingly simple when you see them, mission statements can be truly difficult to write.  I once heard someone call them the company birthmark.

The mission statement provides guidance in determining corporate goals.  Many organizations also write a Values Statement that guides the execution of the mission.  Corporate goals are the desired result of being in business; they're what the business intends to do to achieve its mission.

If my mission were similar to Mozilla's, one of my goals would be that my philosophy would become widely accepted and supported throughout the world. Another goal would be that we provide a web browser to provide people the means to our mission.

Corporate objectives are the steps the business takes to reach corporate goals. These change more often than mission or goal and usually have target dates and/or numbers associated so the business can measure its progress.

Using the above example, one objective would be creation of an open-source, fully accessible browser that could be used by anyone, from any language, using any type of adaptive software, from any computer platform.  I would set target dates for development of this objective and its subsequent updates, and so on.

Strategic objectives may be part of the corporate objectives or may be a subset of corporate objectives. Objectives may change to achieve a specific shift in direction or introduce something new from how the business has carried out its mission in the past.  These sometimes get called strategic objectives to differentiate them from the general objectives or to convey a sense of something new to the work force.

Each division within a business should have its own objectives that drive that division's work in support of corporate objectives and the mission. Marketing objectives are one of those subsets of corporate objectives.

Explain how the father/son roles in "Night" were reversed in the case of Elie and his father?

Elie's father protects him and sacrifices his share of rations in the beginning of the novel in order to keep up Elie's strength.  As physical strain, the cold, and illness wreaks havoc with Elie's father, Elie steps up and takes the more protective role.  He arranges things with deals and trades in order to stay in his father's work group and to be near him.  Elie shares his rations with his weakening father. 

Although it is clear that Elie is becoming less and less "human" through his suffering...going so far as to outrun his father in one of the group's movements and hoping not to find him when his guilt spurs him to half-heartedly go looking...he never completely forsakes his father and the link between them as father and son.  He regularly visits the window at the hospital to speak with his father until the day that Elie is told his father was taken that day.  Even when his father dies, Elie is not without emotion although the situation does not allow him to grieve properly.

Without a doubt, Elie is forced to grow up much faster than he would have in a normal childhood situation.  His is similar to children whose parents are chronically ill, disabled, or who succumb to illegal substances and are unable to care for themselves...they are all robbed of their ability to be "kids" and moved into "caregiver".

Where in the play is there evidence of Hamlet being funny? It might be in act 4, scence 4.

Hamlet's humor is of a sarcastic nature.  He is sarcastic with Polonius in Act 2, Sc. 2 when Polonius is attempting to draw out of Hamlet the reason for his depression.  Hamlet, naturally, sees through Polonius's attempt and speaks in riddles and double meanings.  Also, in Act 4, Sc. 2 when Hamlet speaks with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about the location of Polonius's body, he again speaks in riddles and double meanings.  Additionally, there are many instances sprinkled throughout the play where Hamlet gets in a good zinger.

What was Bram Stoker's inspiration for writing Dracula?

Scholars tend to agree that Stoker's inspiration for writing Dracula was the real-life story of Vlad the Impaler, a notorious historical figure who did horrible things to his captured enemies.  There were also other books written prior to Stoker's book that may have helped influence him, including fables and stories from Transylvania.  Another interesting bit of information is that when Stoker was sick as a child, his mother told him horror stories to keep him entertained.

Check the links below for more information about Stoker.  Good luck!

If you were Friar Lawrence, what problems would you foresee for Romeo and Juliet if they marry?

Any answer to a question like the one you ask is, of course, speculation.  That said, I'll try to at least base my answer on evidence from the play.

I suspect Friar Lawrence, in addition to the problem of in-laws mentioned above, might foresee two problems.

First, Romeo's sudden change of heart in act one of Romeo and Juliet is problematic.  One minute he's depressed over Rosaline, and the next he's elated over Juliet.  What guarantee exists that that won't happen again?

Second, and this is related to the first, is the impulsive nature of both Romeo and Juliet.  Impulsiveness does not necessarily lend itself to strong relationships.  With both of them being so impulsive, who knows what trouble they will get themselves into, together or separately?

For whatever it's worth, I suggest those are two problems Friar Lawrence, or anyone, might foresee in the marriage of Romeo and Juliet. 

In Shawshank Redemption, how does Andy's character development express the idea of individualism in the story?

All of his actions in the movie are a progression of resistance.  Resistance to conformity, resistance to oppression, to injustice, to incarceration, to death itself.  His stone carvings, his rock hobby, his banking abilities, and in the end, his long term tunneling all indicate and reinforce the resistance I just mentioned.

As he turns into a library builder who annoys the state into funding it, he also helps other inmates work on their individualism.  I'd say it's a consistent theme throughout the story.

In Pride and Prejudice, which characters in the novel share Elizabeth’s views of marriage and which characters reflect society’s perspective?

In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth views marriage as a total committment of body and soul and that is the reason for marrying.  Other characters display opposite views. Mr. Collin's approaches marriage as a business agreement where he will provide for his wife, but there are no emotions involved.  Since he has been given a parish by Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she wants him to get married and represent the church in a proper manner.  He goes from Jane to Elizabeth and finally ends up with Charlotte.  Charlotte feels that no marriage could ever be truly happy and to marry was the only solution to rescuing a woman from a life of poverty.

Mrs. Bennet is only concerned with marrying off her 5 daughters.  She knows that they have no inheritance from the father, because it has to go to a male, so the only chance for the Bennet girls is to get married.

Darcy marries for love also because he doesn't fall for Miss Bingley and her lavish, rude comments about the negative characteristics of Elizabeth in an effort to win his affection.  Also he does not fall for Georgianna and her witty remarks to win his affection.  He has loved Elizabeth from the start.

Jane and Bingley are truly in love.  They had to overcome a lot of intereference from Caroline, Georgianna, and to a point, Darcy, but Darcy thought Jane didn't really love him and he was trying to avoid a possible doomed marriage.

In "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", who is the antagonist and the protagonist?

Good question.  They are two different men and one in the same man.  A protagonist is a central character to the story, the one who drives it.  An antagonist is the character/force working against him. 

In this story, Dr. Jekyll is the protagonist.  He is a man trying desperately to control the baser instincts of his personality - the instincts of passion, anger, etc., that can cause a human being to be irrational.  He has lofty and idealistic goals.  He does this by splitting his personality into two so that one aspect can be entirely focused on knowledge and learning - and, therefore, be more productive - and the other focused on the pleasure principle only.

His antagonist is the other half of his personality, the side that is animalistic and is known by the name Mr. Hyde.  This "man"/split personality wants... and works to get what he wants.  He wants to be in control all of the time, and he works against Jekyll to do that.  So, really, Jekyll's antagonist is himself.  He is in conflict with his passion and desire.

To what extent can the narrator be relied upon to give an accurate portrayal of events?

Although Montressor turns out to be a murderer in "The Cask of Amontillado," he nevertheless turns out to be an excellent storyteller. The story is told precisely and in a matter-of-fact way. Montressor makes no excuses, nor does he embellish the situation. He does not tell the reader what crime Fortunato has committed against him--perhaps Montressor's only fault in the retelling of his murder. The events seem perfectly logical, and Montressor's lack of remorse further magnifies his belief that he is committing a justifiable act. Of course, Montressor could be lying, and the whole story could be concocted. But if he tells the truth, and "for half of a century, no mortal has disturbed" the body, then the evidence still remains in place.

Assess the dramatic importance of Ophelia’s funeral in Hamlet.

Ophelia's funeral in Shakespeare's Hamlet serves many purposes in the play.

The funeral contributes to themes in the play such as death and dying and madness.  Her death is caused by her madness.  It also follows the graveyard scene, so, in addition to death and madness, the theme of rottenness is present, too.  The funeral provides a symbol of the state of existence in Denmark, and is emblematic of the tragedy that is in the process of occurring.

Also, the funeral provides occasion for Hamlet to confront Laertes, and vice-versa.  They are bitter toward each other and this will continue with the duel in the closing scene of the play.   

Finally, the funeral brings Hamlet out into the open, making it official that he is back in England.  This scene is the starting point for the play's descent toward the tragedy.

Why doesn't Gregor like milk after the metamorphosis?and why does he prefer garbage?

Because literally everything about Gregor's former existence has been altered.  He no longer likes milk, the food he associates with comfort and humanity.  He is now a beetle and acts like a beetle, those scavengers who exist on the discards of other beings. 

What is "vague optimism" in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, and how is it related to Roosevelt's statement about fearing fear?

Vague optimism can be defined as viewing the future in an optimistic, positive, hopeful light but having no concrete reason for doing so. A person who feels vague optimism senses that improvements are on the horizon yet only has a vague idea of what those improvements could possibly be or even no idea at all. The person has even a vaguer sense of how the improvements will arise since the situation currently looks so bleak.

At the time that Franklin D. Roosevelt took the presidency during the Great Depression, Roosevelt knew he needed to instill within his citizens vague optimism in order to begin to overcome the Great Depression. Therefore, in his very first inaugural address to the nation, Roosevelt told the American people that he firmly believes "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance" (History Matters, George Mason University). In other words, according to Roosevelt, fear of the bleak future immobilizes us; vague optimism in the possible future empowers us. Narrator Scout makes a reference to Roosevelt's inaugural address in the opening chapter of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird when she notes the following:

But it was a time of vague optimism for some of the people: Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself. (Ch. 1)

Harper Lee ties this "vague optimism" in to her greater themes throughout the book such as her theme concerning overcoming injustices due to racial discrimination. The best moment in the book in which we see "vague optimism" being connected with Lee's greater theme of injustice is when Miss Maudie says the following to Scout, Jem, and Dill the day after Tom Robinson's trial:

[A]s I waited [for the Finches to return home from the trial] I thought, Atticus Finch won't win, he can't win, but he's the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that. And I thought to myself, well, we're making a step--it's just a baby step, but it's a step. (Ch. 22)

In other words, Miss Maudie is explaining that Atticus's actions concerning his devoted defense of Robinson has impacted society. It is not yet a significant impact; there is still much to be done to overcome social injustices, but society, through Atticus and others like him, has made a tiny "baby-step" towards a more just society. That tiny baby step is enough to give members of society who want it, like Miss Maudie and the Finch children, vague optimism about the creation of a more just society in the future just as Roosevelt gave the American people vague optimism about overcoming the Great Depression.

In ONE paragraph, how would you argue that 'cell phones' are/are not moral or ethical?

I believe you are referring to the use of cell phones in situations where it would be unethical or immoral to use.

The use of cellphones in the 21st century has become so ubiquitous that people are forgetting the basic rules of etiquette by not considering when is a good time or place to begin a conversation, or receive a call. When people simply allow for their phones to ring during an important ocasion such as a church service, or a meeting, they are disregarding the rights of others to not take a part of that person's life. When cellphone usage meets the law, the problem is that when it comes to driving, texting, and talking, cellphone users are again taking a dig at the rights of others. This is how cellphones can be highly unethical and, to a humanistic perspective, abusive of other people's rights.

In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, what does the phrase "Pede Claudo" mean?

It means "punishment comes limping" and is often rendered as meaning "retribution comes slowly but surely." It is from the Roman poet Horace (Horace Odes 3.2.32). Now this is a dismal thought, of course, but Horace was a bit of a prig, full of moralistic aphorisms and apothegms, so it's not surprising to hear this from him. Quite different from Catullus, the most delightful of the Latin poets.

Stevenson is talking about the fear that Dr. Jeckyll's youthful sins might be coming back to haunt him after lo these many years, so it is a fitting quote. Sounds pretentious, but back then educated people were versed in the classics, so they might understand it better than we do today.

Using Vygotski's theory about cognitive development, explain the development of sexual orientation, and V's theory to support your conclusion.

Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development is one of the most solid foundations of constructivism. The gist of it states that the process of cognitive development is a major product that comes out of social interaction, no matter what age, since people all develop and acquire knowledge at a different rate.

In Vygotsky's own words:

“Every function in the child’s cultural development appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the individual level; first, between people (interpsychological) and then inside the child (intrapsychological).” (Vygotsky, 1978).

With the help of peer interaction anf the MKO's (More Knowledgeable Others), an individual can aspire to acquire more information, nee Intelligence, and higher level thinking occurs.

Contrastingly to this, Behaviorists and Cognitive Theorists both agree, however, that sexual orientation (particularly homosexuality) would be the product of a construction gone wrong, that is, that perhaps the needs of the individual, or that the social interactions and exposure to others was what caused sexual orientation to deviate. Heterosexuality, though arguably occurs in the same manner, is seen mostly as an automatic response resulting from our genetic make up.

In using V's theory to explain sexual orientation, a scenario can surface where a person gets influenced by another one in certain practices that, to the individual, bring satisfaction to their needs. Hence, the person who influences the other becomes the MKO in that specific emotional period, and with enough interaction and exposure the individual decides whether their sexual orientation goes with or against what his own mind is dictating.

Hope this helps!

What are the climax and resolution of Mice and Men?

The climax of the novella, Of Mice and Men, starts when Curley's wife and Lennie develop a friendship. There is an ominous tone about this relationship right from the beginning, as the reader knows that the reason why Lennie and George had to come to this ranch was because Lennie was accused of raping a woman. 

So, when Lennie touches Curley's wife's hair, the readers expects the worst and it is confirmed as he accidentally kills her by breaking her neck. At this point, the reader knows that the demise of Lennie and George as well as their dream is around the corner. The only question is how it will take place. 

The resolution comes when George looks for Lennie and as he reminds him of their plan and dream, he shoots him. In my opinion, George kills Lennie, his friend, out of love and loyalty. In a broken world, there is no place for a man like Lennie. 

What does Mercutio say about blind love?Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

In Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio's words in Act II on the blindness of love take on a contradictory meaning when juxtaposed with the words of Romeo from Act I:

Alas that love, whose view is muffled still,/Should without eyes see pathways to his will! (I,i,169-170)

For, the meaning of Romeo's words are that love, whose eyes are blindfolded, can still see ways to have his will done.  In Act II, Scene 1, when Mercutio uses the words blind he first refers to Cupid, the "purblind son of Venus," who still "shot the arrow so well"; this statement concurs with that of Romeo.  However, Mercutio's comments on Romeo that "If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark," indicate Mercutio's judgment of Romeo's inability to find the spot for his love.

Benvolio dismisses Romeo as having a liason with the moody night--"Blind is his love, and best befits the dark" (II,i,34), so indications are that the friends do not want to bother with their friend as they think his actions are frivolous and will come to nothing.  It is, ironic, then, that Romeo in Act I has spoken the truth in his remark on the blindness of love, and Mercutio has also "hit the mark" with his first comment about Cupid finding his mark though blind, but misses the seriousness of the situation as he makes his second remark on blind love, just as he misjudges Tybalt in Act III.

In Much Ado About Nothing, what is Benedick's impression of Beatrice and vice versa?

Benedick is a bachelor and, will be a bachelor of three score. "Will I never see a Bachelor of three score again" (Translation: "Will I never see a bachelor of sixty-when adults usually died in the times of Much Ado About Nothing.)

Benedick thinks ladies are their to give birth and to do the house work (As a feminist, I strongly oppose this.) Beatrice, like me, think that women are independent and unlike me, they don't need a man.

In their first conversation we see in the play, Beatrice says famiously; "I'd much rather hear my dog, bark at a crow, then hear a man swear that he loves me." And, when Benedick thinks he is going to lose the argument, he ends it briskly; "I am done." Beatrice reacts by simply saying; "You end with the Jade's trick, I know you of old."

If you can end the story of 1984, how would you end it?Please answer my question.

I will answer in more of a short term way than the first answer.  I will confine mine to what happens to Winston.

It is implied in the book that Winston will be killed.  I will have the book end with him not dying.  Instead, I will end the book with him becoming an important member of the Thought Police and the Inner Party.

I think this would make sense because it would show how thoroughly the society could control its people when it really tries.

By the way, with regard to the first answer, I would encourage you to consider that the USSR fell apart to some extent because of the presence of the wealthy West that was a contrast to their world.  Their people knew they were poor compared to the West and that helped make them want to rebel.  There is no such outside contrast in 1984 so I'm not sure their system will fall apart.

Why did Harper Lee choose the name Jem for Scout's brother?

I think for the most accurate answer on that one, you'd have to ask Harper Lee yourself. I've searched through 4 different background reads to find purpose for the name, and these are some of the best guesses I have compiled.

Jem is short for 'Jeremy' who had a full name of Jeremy Atticus Finch. There is much symbolism in names for authors. It would be interesting for you to do a word study on the bird, the finch. The characteristics of a finch and a mockingbird are something that she subtley put into the storyline.

Atticus as a middle name mirrors the fact that Jem looks up to his father dearly but has all the same power struggles as normal boys approaching puberty do. Jem, fortunately, maintains respect for his father.

The meaning of Jeremy is "God will raise up" or "God will set free." Not knowing if she for sure took care to cast the role of an older brother with these attributes, I certainly believe they fit. Jem struggles to see freedom from poverty and race for others and he is not yet fully adult. Thus, God still has time to raise him up to be this man following in his father's footsteps and furthering the cause.

Jem is a likely a variety of Harper herself as is Scout. But she could only embody so much in one person. If as a child she had these wonderings about race and people and society, it is possible that Jem is a reflection of her older self, the one who published a book like this near the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement.

Lastly, Jem as a character represents bravery. Every piece of criticism I read on him relates to that. If you look through the book, his activity all circles round being brave enough to touch the house, dealing with the issue of courage with Mrs. Dubose, and keeping calm when people do and say mean things. I think Scout as a character considered her older brother a Jem (gem). He was the one who in the end got in the way of one who would have killed them both. Although Boo finished the job, having another kid there for Ewell to go after meant her life was spared.

What was the impact of the invention of the refrigerator on history?How did it make life easier, and what other things did it lead to?

The refrigerator made life much easier for anyone who is in charge of feeding themselves or their family.  Being able to have various kinds of food right there in your kitchen all the time (not having to go to the store so often) is so convenient.

One thing that I think refrigerators helped to cause is the death of small neighborhood grocery stores.  Now, you can drive somewhat far once in a while, buy a lot of stuff, and put it in your fridge.  Before, you needed to shop way more often and so having a store very close to your home was much more important.

What phrase in Act 3 is a simile?

Here's one, spoken by the Friar,  in 3.3.130-134, in which he compares Romeo's intelligence to a careless solider whose gun powder explodes in his face, because he is either too inexperienced or negligent to treat it properly:

Thy wit, that ornament to shape and love,
Misshapen in the conduct of them both,
Like powder in a skitless soldier's flask,
Is set afire by thine own ignorance,

I have to write several paragraphs on Jefferson's statement that all men are created equal when he had slaves. I just need to get started.What do...

About Jefferson's saying all men are created equal: Jefferson was writing the Declaration because the government was passing laws that treated British-American citizens differently from British citizens "at Home," and the courts were treating them differently too.  Thus Jefferson was appealing for equality under the law for both groups ofcitizens, the Britishcitizens at home and the Britishcitizens in America.  Slaves were not citizens.

I refer you to two resources that will help you answer your question.  Ask your school's librarian if they can be borrowed or photocopied from a near-by university library.

Armitage, David. 2007.  "The World in the Declaration of Independence," pages 25-62 in The Declaration of Independence: A Global History. Cambridge, Ma.: Harvard University Press.

Sheldon, Garrett Ward. 2002. "The Political Theory of the Declaration of Independence" in Scott Douglas Gerber, ed., The Declaration of Independence: Origins and Impact. Washington: CQ Press, 14-28.

How does Mr. Frederick double-cross Napoleon?

Napoleon had been reluctant to deal with Frederick because he wouldn't pay Napoleon's asking price. Somewhere along the line in their agreement, Napoleon came down or Frederick came up.

In truth, after the money was exchanged, it was discovered

The bank notes were forgeries! Frederick  had got the timber for nothing.

This was noted just after the animals had a celebration about the notes and Napoleon put them on display for the animals to admire. When it was discovered that these were fake, Napoleon was made a fool, but he didn't lose heart, he braced for an attack from Frederick.

It arrived shortly thereafter and at the Battle of the Windmill, the windmill was blown to bits by Frederick and his men.

What kind of poem is "A Troubadour, I Traverse All My Land" by Dennis Brutus?Theme of this poem.

"A Troubadour, I Traverse All My Land" by Dennis Brutus is a Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet.  Italian sonnets are defined by two quatrains and a sestet following the rhythm of iambic pentameter.  The content of the opening quatrains is meant to explore a problem or situation, while the closing sestet draws a conclusion.

Brutus was a strong opponent of South Africa's apartheid system, and his political views are evidenced in his poetry.  In "A Troubador, I Traverse All My Land," the speaker (who we assume is Brutus himself) explores the restrictions that have been imposed on the citizens of the land.  He goes on to say that he will fight against the "captor's hand" until he is "cast-off" by those who mean to oppress him.  So, the sonnet explores a situation similar to that of Brutus's own life and struggle in South Africa.

Beatty says to Montag, "Your house, your clean-up." What does this mean?

At this point in the novel Beatty has found Guy's secret out about the books. Montag's wife has turned on him and turned him in to Beatty- the fire chief knows about his books. Beatty confronts Montag about the books and tells him he must do the job himself. It's bad enough to own books, but it's even worse that fireman, whose job it is to burn books, has his own book collection. Beatty doesn't just want Montag to burn the books, he wants him to burn everything piece by piece so that he learns his lesson. That's the point of the quote- Beatty wants Montag to repent by burning everything himself. By doing this he can prove to the department that he's wrong. Beatty is forcing Montag to take responsibility for breaking the law. 

What does the Prologue add to the play???

In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Shakespeare continues a Greek technique and tradition by using a chorus in his play.  A chorus traditionally supplies commentary on the action of the play, interpreting the play from the perspective of conventional wisdom or common sense.

Shakespeare's Chorus does this in Romeo and Juliet.  The Chorus gives "The Prologue," and introduces the opening conflict in the play--the "ancient grudge," or feud between the Montagues and Capulets.   

The Chorus also briefly outlines what the audience will witness in "...the two hours' traffic of our stage."  The "star-crossed" lovers and their "death-marked" love are introduced, as is the loss of their lives.  This establishes the tragic mood of the play, as the doomed lovers meet and fall in love and are prohibited from being together.

In "The Most Dangerous Game," what is Rainsford's conflict with Zaroff, and how is it finally resolved?

The conflict between Rainsford and Zaroff is brought about by Zaroff's irrational desire to hunt and animal of intelligence, a bill which Rainsford readily fills.  It is resolved when a more intelligent Rainsford out thinks Zaroff and overcomes him in his own bedroom at the end of the story.  

In "The Most Dangerous Game," how is General Zaroff civilized in his actions?

Wow!  That is a tough question because all I can imagine is Zaroff hunting down Rainsford in the jungle, and it's pretty hard to see anything civilized in his actions there!  Let's look beyond that if we can and focus on Zaroff's actions,more so than his style of living.  I suppose the most civilized of his actions would have to be the fact that he actually did save Rainsford from being shot by Ivan when he found him on the island; he also gave him clothes, food and a place to sleep.  Keep in mind, of course, that he was preparing him for the upcoming hunt.  I suppose his final act of civilized behavior came when he gave Rainsford a three hour head start before he began to hunt him down like an animal.  Forgive my sarcasm; I have taught this story for years and it is a favorite of mine.  However, the one aspect of the story that has always escaped me is the presence of any civilized actions on the part of Zaroff.  I hope this helps!

How much time elapses between the opening and closing lines of Part III?

Only a very short time elapses between those lines - probably only a few seconds.  In the opening line of the section, the physical reality of Farquhar's hanging has begun, and he falls "straight downward through the bridge".  In the last line, he is dead, "his body, with a broken neck, swung gently from side to side beneath the timbers of the Owl Creek bridge".  Assuming that death would have occurred instantly from such a sudden, tramatic injury, all that transpires in the interim had to happen between the time he was dropped off the bridge and the time his neck snapped at the end of the rope. 

what is the interpretation of sonnet 29i need help with sonnet 29

When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,

 When I am out of luck and I am all alone--an outcast in society, and heaven doesn't hear my prayers, and I feel sorry for myself and my situation,

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;

I look at others and wish I had more hope like that guy or looked good like that guy, or had lots of friends like that guy, or had talents or intelligence like those other guys. What used to please me in my own life depresses me now.

Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising
Haply I think on thee: and then my state,
Like to the Lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at Heaven's gate;

BUT, when I'm low in these thoughts and hate myself most, suddenly I think of you.  Then my situation, like the lark singing at sunrise, is floating like hymns to heaven,

For thy sweet love rememb'red such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with Kings.

Because I have remembered that I have your sweet love and the richness it brings to my life makes me unwilling to change places even with Kings.

Find theories, research or typologies from psychologists to back up my conclusion below?I have produced a criminal profile for a female student,...

hi

The problem with your hypothesis is that it is way too inclusive. You cannot generalize that women's bodies are weaker and much smaller than makes when the average woman is 164 pounds (which is 20 pds heavier than 10 years ago).(Fatstats.com)

Second, if the female murdered poison a teacher (which I assume is a male), she must have been in close contact.Ever since the days of the French Revolution, arsenic and other poisons were the method of choice for disgruntal wives to dispose of their husbands.

These are the theories

Women who conform as pure, obedient daughters, wives and mothers benefit men and society (Feinman, 1994: 16). Those women who don't, that is are non-conforming, may simply be one who questions established beliefs or practices, or one who engages in activities associated with men, or one who commits a crime. These women are doubly damned and doubly deviant (Bottoms, 1996: 1). They are seen as 'mad' not 'bad' (Lloyd, 1995: 36). These behaviours frequently lead to interpretations of being mentally abnormal and unstable. Those doing the defining, by the very act, are never defined as 'other', but are the norm. As 'men' are the norm, women are deviant. Women are defined in reference to men (Lloyd, 1995: xvii). In the words of Young (1990), 'sexual difference is one of the ways in which normal is marked out from deviant' (Young, 1990: ix).

Additionally ther in the 19th century it is quoted:

in the late nineteenth century, Lombroso and Ferrero (1895) wrote a book called, The Female Offender. Their theories were based on 'atavism'. Atavism refers to the belief that all individuals displaying anti-social behaviour were biological throwbacks (Smart, 1978: 32). The born female criminal was perceived to have the criminal qualities of the male plus the worst characteristics of women. According to Lombroso and Ferrero (1895), these included deceitfulness, cunning and spite among others and were not apparent among males. This appeared to indicate that criminal women were genetically more male than female, therefore biologically abnormal. Criminality in men was a common feature of their natural characteristics, whereby women, their biologically-determined nature was antithetical to crime. Female social deviants or criminals who did not act according to pre-defined standards were diagnosed as pathological and requiring treatment, they were to be 'cured' or 'removed' (Lombroso and Ferrero, 1895: 43).

Hope this helps!

What is the relationship between the father and son in The Metamorphosis?

The relationship between the father and the son is strange. It is certainly strained, but it is also complex. The son's metamorphosis begins while works in a job that he hates in order to pay down his family's debt. His father loves him, but his love seems difficult to find: although tears eventually come, his initial response to his son's transformation is not sadness, but anger (he shakes his fist). The twisted part about their relationship is that the son essentially gets sick while carrying his father's burden (debt) but the father, instead of being sympathetic, essentially rejects and attacks the son for becoming the "vermin" that he has become. He hurts his son, physically, and scars him (he throws apples at him which injure his son and eventually cause an infection). This is deeply ironic, because the change in the son seems to occur as a result of the work that he does on his father's behalf. The father should be showering him with love, but instead hates the despicable creature he has become and wants nothing to do with him.  

Do you think that Madeline is cruelly deceived and seduced by Porphyro? Give reasons and evidence for your answer.

Depending on your reading of the poem, Porphyro does initially plan to deceive Madeline and become a "part" of her dream. He watches her from behind as she undresses, knowing full well that Madeline will not look behind her because she must follow the directions she heard about the eve of St. Agnes. He then waits for his beloved to fall asleep, clothes himself in crimson, and sets up a feast to mimic the dream he knows Madeline was going to have.

When she finally awakes, the reader does have to wonder whether Madeline is aware that she is fully awake, or whether she is still in a trance and under the impression that she is asleep.

Her eyes were open, but she still beheld,

Now wide awake, the vision of her sleep:

The reader knows that Madeline has awakened physically, but whether she is still fully aware remains in question. The poem states that her eyes open but the vision she sees is identical to the dream she was just having.

However, we are led to believe that Madeline does eventually realize that she has returned to reality:

Her eyes were open, but she still beheld, Now wide awake, the vision of her sleep:

“This is no dream, my bride, my Madeline!”

’Tis dark: the iced gusts still rave and beat:

“No dream, alas! alas! and woe is mine!

“Porphyro will leave me here to fade and pine.—

Returning into reality Madeline realizes that woe exists while she is awake. While Porphyro, her love, is there in front of her, she fears that he will have to leaev her alone again. Here the reader is led to believe that Madeline is conscious of Porphyro's real presence and that she willingly goes with him into the storm and away from her home.

Once again depending on your reading of the poem, you may argue that Madeline believes she is dreaming the whole time and willingly goes with Porphyro for that reason. As the lovers escape the castle the imagery has a strong resonance to fairy tales with such words as: faery-land, dragons, and phantoms. In that case you can argue that she was deceived, seduced into believing it was her St. Agnes dream,  and runs away with her love in that dream, but does not realize that she actually goes into the storm (world) in reality.

What other awards has Lois Lowry won?

Lois Lowry had made monumental contributions to children's literature and has been honored by receiving numerous awards.  Although her list of books written is quite a bit more extensive than the following list, all of her writing has proven time and again by teachers, parents, and students alike, that she is a very talented writer with the talent to back up what she produces.

A Summer to Die.
Children's Literature Award, International Reading Association, 1978.
Autumn Street.
American Library Association Notable Book Award citation, 1980.
Anastasia Again!
American Book Award Nomination (juvenile paperback category), 1983.
Rabble Starkey.
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Golden Kite Award, Society of Children's Book Writers, and Child Study Award , Children's Book Committee of Bank Street College, 1987.
Number the Stars
Newbery Medal, National Jewish Book Award, and Sidney Taylor Award, National Jewish Libraries, 1990.
The Giver.
Newbery Medal, 1994.

Lois Lowry has won the Newberry Medal twice, once for Number the Stars and a second time for The Giver.

Wildly successful with reviewers and readers, The Giver won the 1994 Newbery Medal and sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide. Over the years, the provocative novel also has been among the American Library Association’s most challenged titles, with parents alleging that it encourages euthanasia and undermines motherhood, among other things. In late January, Lowry was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award for The Giver. The award, administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association and sponsored by School Library Journal, honors an author’s lifetime contributions to young people’s literature.

Which pig writes the poem praising Napoleon?

You can find the answer to this question quite early on in Chapter 8.  The answer is that Minimus wrote the poem.  He is a pig who is seen as the best writer among the pigs on the farm.  The poem he writes in Chapter 8 is called Comrade Napoleon.

The poem is essentially a hymn to Napoleon.  By this point, all of the animals are being pushed toward adoring Napoleon as sort of a state religion, almost.  This is supposed to represent the way that Joseph Stalin was so admired and adored in the Soviet Union.

What does Hamlet mean when he says in Act 4, Scene 2, "I am glad of it: a knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear"?

At this point in the play Hamlet has hidden Polonius' body and Rosencrantz (and Guildenstern and others) wants to know where it is so he can give him a proper burial. Hamlet is no fool and refuses to tell him where the body is. He proceeds to tell Rosencrantz (and Guildenstern and others) that he is a "sponge" to the king, he is basically saying that the king is using Rosencrantz and when his purpose has been served he will no longer find favor there. When he says this line "a knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear" he is telling Rosencrantz that his good advice has been lost on his "friend's" stupidity and desire to be in the good graces of the king. The "knavish speech" speaks to is Hamlet's own insight to see the king for what he really is, decpetive and the "foolish ear" is speaking to Rosencrantz foolishness in trusting the king so blindly.

Atticus reminded Jem about what ugly facts of life?In To Kill a Mockingbird

The ugly facts of life in particular that Atticus reminded Jem of had to do with the immoral actions of people.

All of we readers, as well as Jem, Scout and Dill could tell that the case should have gone in favor of Tom Robinson. Atticus never comes out and blatantly says it but we all know the reason he didn't get off was because the jury was prejudice against Tom's skin color.

Atticus did point out that the jury was out for a long time and that one man took some considerable wearing down if they needed to come up with a unanimous verdict.

A fact of life that this reveals is that our prejudice can lead us to do something that is wrong or immoral, like sentencing an innocent man to life in prison or worse, death. That prejudice was murder. Who now stood trial for Tom's death? No one. That's another ugly fact of life.

Who does Mollie, Boxer, Benjamin and the dogs represent in Animal Farm?

In Animal Farm, Orwell uses the various animals and people to represent actual people or groups of people from the Russian Revolution.

Boxer represents the working class.  He is the backbone of the society but is abused.  He is also fooled by Napoleon into being totally devoted.

Benjamin represents intellectuals who know things are wrong but don't care enough to do anything about it.

Mollie represents people who care only about material things and do not care at all about justice or freedom.

The dogs represent the secret police and others who provided the terror that helped keep Stalin in power.

What is a crtical appreciation of "Break, Break, Break" by Alfred Tennnyson?

A "critical appreciation," or critical analysis, consists of a discussion of themes, thesis, structure, literary devices including elements, which are common to all specimens of the literary type, and techniques, which are available at the author's or poet's choosing. A brief analysis of some points of interest about "Break, Break, Break" by Lord Alfred Tennyson follows.

"Break, Break, Break" is an elegy, which is a lyrical poem of lamentation. A lyrical poem is short and tells the thoughts, state of mind, perceptions, and feelings of the persona of the poem, who may or may not be the poet her/imself. It does not tell a narrative story like Browning's short narrative poem "My Last Duchess." Lyrical poetry was originally accompanied by a lyre in ancient Greece.

"Break, Break, Break" is written in four quatrain stanzas (four lines, four stanzas). The meter is built on the triple syllable beat of "Break, break, break." However the meter varies throughout the poem as it switches between the triple beat of anapests (^^/) and the double beat of iambs (^/) as in evident in this line: " On^ thy^ cold' / gray^ stones', / O^ Sea!'" and this: "O^, well' / for^ the^ sai' / -lor^ lad'," The rhyme scheme in all stanzas is abcb.

Some striking literary devices are the two apostrophes in which the sea is addressed in lines 1 and 2 and then again in lines 13 and 14. Of course, since the sea is addressed, that indicates personification of the sea. Line 15 has the elegant and moving metaphor "the tender grace of a day that is dead," descriptively referring, as does the poem, to his deceased friend and well-wisher, poet Arthur Hallam.

The tone moves from sorrowful in stanza one to bitter in stanza two with Tennyson's "O, well for fisherman's boy ...," which implies that it is not well with the poet/persona. The tone of the third stanza shifts to mournfulness as the poet paradoxically yearns for the "touch of the vanquished hand" and the "sound of the voice that is still." The final stanza speaks of the unchangeable finality of his loss in ironic juxtaposition to the ever eternal "Break, break, break" of the sea "At the foot of thy crags."

Who are the main characters in the Merchant of Venice?

The major characters in The Merchant of Venice are:

Shylock - A Jewish moneylender in Venice.

Portia - A wealthy heiress from Belmont.

Antonio - The merchant whose love for his friend Bassanio prompts him to sign Shylock’s contract and almost lose his life.

 

Bassanio - A gentleman of Venice, and a kinsman and dear friend to Antonio.

 

Graziano - A friend of Bassanio’s who accompanies him to Belmont.

 

Jessica - Shylock’s daughter, Jessica hates life in her father’s house, and elopes with the young Christian gentleman, Lorenzo.

Lorenzo - A friend of Bassanio and Antonio, Lorenzo is in love with Shylock’s daughter, Jessica.

 

What is the main problem or theme in Out of the Dust?There are so many problems in the story that I can't figure out the main problem.

You are absolutely right; Out of the Dust does, indeed, have very many problems.  The main problem, though, seems to be survival in very harsh situations.   Billie Jo Kelby, the fourteen/fifteen year old girl from whose first person point of view the story is told, in journal form, survives an unbelievably harsh life during the Depression in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl.  Follow the link below for more information about Out of the Dust.

Why are alleles important? How are they significant to heredity?

In the field of genetics characteristics are already determined during cell division.  In plants the process is by mitosis and in animals it is through meiosis.  The transference of the genes and the continued set of data that is passed from one generation to the next is heredity.

Genes contain alleles.  Alleles harbor genetic codes.  One may have an allele for blue eyes.  They also hold the genetic information that determines if a gene is recessive or dominant.  Without the coding that is provided on alleles there would only be random information passed forward and the populations of seeds, plants, animals, and humans, would not have traits that would reoccur.

In Chapters 1 to 5 of Animal Farm, explain the signficance of the term glittering generalities.

Glittering generalities are appeals based on emotionally charged concepts using broad claims. They rarely have real merit to them, it basically sounds great, but with no real reasoning behind the claim.

In Animal Farm, there are plenty of examples of it. Chapter one, has Old Majors idea of equality for all animals, that with rebellion against humans, animals will come together as "comrades" and live a life of equality. Of course, this sounds great, but how is that to be accomplished?

In chapter three-the sheep's new motto-"Four legs good, two legs bad" is definitely a glittering generality. It is not reasonable to assume that just because one walks on four legs, they are good, just as all tow legged creatures are not bad. It is meant to gain support, and the feeling of solidarity.

Chapter three also has another example in the explanation of why the pigs need the milk and apples. Squealer classifies the pigs as the brains in the takeover, and therefore in need of this sustenance. He issues his argument with the appeal(really a threat) that if they were denied this, Jones could come back and take over again. This most likely would not be the case merely because they did not get all the milk and apples.

In chapter five- the windmill debate is full of glittering generalities. The appeals to the animals comfort-heated stalls and less work, are a blanket promise. The windmill cannot ensure the animals security in the future.

Of what significance is the setting in "The Destructors"?

London has been "blitzed" during WWII, meaning that it has been bombed and torn down by the events of war.  The boys are tearing down their own barriers.  They have rejected the leadership of adults and have established their own heirarchy.  They have taken control of the empty lot and plan to make an incursion into Mr. Thomas' house, just as the Germans were trying to make an incursion into England.  Greene is mimicking the events of the war in a smaller setting, and uses London to reinforce that analogy.

Human Resource is an Asset or Liability? Justify your answer.

Human resources is an asset to any corporation for many reasons. One very important reason is that without it, the company is not protected. There are many dishonest people who would gladly take advantage of a company for monetary purposes.

They are also responsible for hiring and firing people. The people in HR do background checks to make sure that qualified individuals are hired. They also terminate employment.

They also deal with insurance, sexual harassment, and labor relations.

I think the main idea here is that HR protects companies. Without it, the companies open themselves up for numerous legal issues that could break them. In addition, they protect the employees themselves as well.

What are we to infer happens after all the bodies are cleared away in Act 5?Does Denmark come into a time of peace and healing or are they headed...

Fortinbras, the Norweigan prince, who has conquered many other lands, will assume the throne.  With him, he also brings the news that Rosencratz and Gildenstern are dead. 

In earlier acts he has been shown to be power and land hungry; for example, in 4.4.180-23, the Captain informs Hamlet of the lengths Fortinbras will go to in order to add any acreage at all to the lands he holds.  Says the Captain, "We go to gain a little patch of ground / That hath in it no profit but the name. / To pay five ducats, five, I would not farm it; / Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole. /  A ranker rate, should it be sold in fee. "

Then there is the troublesome quarrel between Norway and Denmark, in which Norway intends to regain the lands lost to King Hamlet as the play begins.

But at the end, seeing the carnage vengence and power has wrought, Fortibras sees with new eyes, much like the survivors of Romeo and Juliet learn from their errors.  He says, "Take up the bodies. Such a sight as this / Becomes the field but here shows much amiss"  (5.2.446-448).

In his recognition, there is some hope for a more peacable time for both Denmark and Norway.