Why did the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia break down?

In this drama, it is crystal that Hamlet loves Ophelia whereas she avoids declaring her love for him. She is caught up in different serious problems that inhibit her. Hamlet’s love is based on truth and frankness. Before the death of his father he was caught in her love. In his love letters he uses terms of affection. Ophelia discloses it to Laertes and Poloinus.

If we read her words, it seems that she has given her heart to Hamlet, though she may not declare herself, for she had sucked the honey of his vows. Later, her persoanl dejection created a huge reason not to declare her love. For Hamlet and Ophelia, love is changed by the cruel role of circumstance when Hamlet’s father dies and his mother marries his uncle, Claudius.

When the ghost reveals and discloses the truth, Hamlet feels hatred at this nature and transfers his feelings from his mother to all women and hates all women kind. Ophelia betrays Hamlet because Laertes and Polonius were worldly wise and poisoned her mind. Whenever Hamlet comes near to her, she remains silent and then discloses all to her father whatever happens.

Simultaneously Hamlet’s behaviour is very strange. He is depressed and abhors his tragic life, burdened by the choices he has to make: to be true to his religion or his father's culture; to be believe a ghost or to believe it is a demon sent to entrap him. The world to him was "weary, stale, flat and unprofitable."

They both are possessing weaknesses. By virtue of these, they can not join each other in love as happened in Romeo and Juliet. Their love casts strange effects on the audience.

Compare the experiences of Charlie and Algernon in "Flowers for Algernon."

In the book Flowers for Algernon the experiences for Charlie and Algernon were similar and different.  Algernon had always been smart.  He was able to demonstrate his intelligence by quickly moving through the maze.  Charlie had a brain that mentally challenged with an IQ of 68.  He was mildly mentally retarded and when tested against Algernon could not respond as well. 

The first thing that they both have in common is that they are needed by the scientists for the experiment.  In this sense Charlie is no less of a lab rat than Algernon.  He does not really have value to the scientists other than for the results of their experiment.  The scientists want to use the results for publication and to promote their careers.  Charlie and Algernon both experience test after test.

As Algernon's mental status begins to deteriorate, Charile begins to under stand through his own research that he too will be returning to his prior state of inferior intelligence.  He is upset but he relates to Algernon who also had to struggle with diminishing abilities until he dies.

Explain how the play Macbeth would be well-suited to the lower, middle, and upper classes of an Elizabethan audience.

Macbeth has mass appeal, and it does not have to pander to its audiences.  It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, half as long as Hamlet.  That appeals to everyone.

It's his bloodiest play, by far.  The amount of blood imagery is startling to any audience, any generation.  That appeals to everyone.

Macbeth portrays the murder of the King, God's holy vessel, the worst crime imaginable to any audience.  I do not agree with the former post that a lower class would sympathize with someone murdering a "boss."  Regicide and patricide horrifies everyone, regardless of class.

Most of Shakespeare's contemporaries wrote heavily religious text.  And yet, the play can be read from a Christian standpoint.  This duality is testament to its mass appeal.

The witchcraft scenes were written for James I, not the illiterate lower classes.  Again, the witches are great characters who appeal to everyone, rich and poor, young and old, upper and lower classes.

Define the terms used in reflection including normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection.

A plane mirror is plane light reflecting surface (normally glass the other surface of which is coated a thin layer of silver metal.

A ray of light is the stAraight line along which the light travels.

A ray of light which falls on a mirror is called the incident ray.

A ray of light which is sent or reflected back by the miror is called reflected ray.

Normal is a line drawn perpendicular to the surface of mirror from  point  the point where incident ray meets the surface of the mirror.

The angle of incidence is the angle the incident ray makes with the normal drawn at the point of  incidence of the incident ray on he surface of the mirror.

The angle of reflection is the angle the reflected ray makes with the normal drawn at the point of incidence.

How does the children's lifestyle in St. Louis differ from the one they were accustomed to in Stamps in the book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?

In Stamps, Maya and Bailey have the advantage of a close and nurturing community to help in their growing up. As Maya describes in the first chapter of the book, once the people of Stamps see that they are "harmless (and children)," they "close in" around them, "as a real mother embraces a stranger's child...warmly, but not too familiarly." Maya and Bailey's grandmother, whom they call Momma, takes very seriously her responsibility to guide the children "in the way they should go." She demands a high standard of behavior from them, and is constantly present to them to hold them to it.

In Stamps, the people all know each other, and take an active part in raising each others' children. The church is the center of social activity, and every member of the family is expected to attend, together. Uncle Willie, who lives with Momma and the children, drills the children on their lessons, and will accept nothing less than perfection from them in their ability to perform skills like their times tables with lightning speed. In Stamps, the children are dearly loved and supported, and closely watched and guided as they grow up. Although there is the constant threat of trouble from the white population, for the most part, Maya and Bailey are sheltered in the segregated town by their black neighbors, and do not have to deal with white people very much.

Life in St. Louis is quite different for Maya and Bailey. As is the case in big cities, things are much more impersonal, and the children are left on their own a lot more. Maya and Bailey are exposed to vices rarely encountered in the small town of Stamps, the offshoots of "prohibition, gambling and their related vocations" which are practiced in plain sight. The children's mother, as an entertainer, is sometimes involved with the more unsavory elements in the city, and is away a lot, leaving the children to fend for themselves. Unbeknownst to Mother, Mr. Freeman, her live-in boyfriend, molests young Maya while she is away.

Maya finds that things are very different in the St. Louis school she attends as well. The teachers are ruder, and the students are "shockingly backward," not having had the strong familial support that Maya and Bailey were given back in Stamps. The two children are adept in their math skills because of having worked in their grandmother's store in Stamps, and are well read because in Stamps, that had been their main source of entertainment. Both Maya and Bailey are moved up a grade upon entering school in St. Louis.

What are the religious symbols in "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin, and what do they represent?

In James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues," there is a revival taking place as the narrator looks out his living room window of his house.  This scene is pivotal to the plot. For, when the woman with the tambourine is

divided by very little from the woman who stood watching her, a cigarette between her heavy, chapped lips, ...her face scarred and swollen from many beatings, and her black eyes glittering like coal.  Perhaps they both knew this, which was why, when, as rarely, they addressed each other, they addressed each other as Sister.

This religious encounter presages the redemptive realization of the narrator that he and Sonny are brothers; he senses that he must accept Sonny's invitation to come hear him play that evening. Furthering the understanding between the brothers is Sonny's telling the narrator that the singer's voice reminded him of what heroin feels like,

It makes you feel sort of warm and cool...And distant  And--sure.

As the brothers talk, Sonny explains that the heroin "makes something real..." out of the suffering.  The narrator tells Sonny, "But there's no way not to suffer."  Sonny agrees, but wishes that people would listen.

On the night that Sonny plays, the narrator truly does listen:

Freedom lurked around us and I understood, at last, that he could help us to be free if we would listen, that he would never be free until we did.

It is then that the narrator sees the drink for Sonny as "the very cup of trembling" that Isaiah tells of in the Bible.  This cup, much like the cup that Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane asks to have passed from him, represents suffering.  At that moment, Sonny's suffering is lifted from him in his music and with those who listen.  Sonny's blues can help him to be true to what he is.

What is the population for stockholm,malmo,and goteborg for 2010?stockholm,malmo,and goteborg are cities from sweden.

I do not know if I can tell you the populations of these three Swedish cities for this year.  I do not know if Sweden has done a census recently.  However, I can tell you the populations of these cities as given in official literature from the Swedish government.  According to the link I am including below, Stockholm is the biggest of these cities.  Its population is 1,873,00.  The population of Goteborg is 872,000, and the population of Malmo is 599,000.  All three of these numbers include suburbs and are clearly approximate populations.

What is the internal conflict that the protagonist, George, from Of Mice and Men, must face?Doing a novel project need help with this one.

George's internal conflict surrounds his loyalty to Lennie and the company he brings versus the freedom he could have if he could travel alone.

This dilemma is on his mind from the beginning of the novel, when he loses his temper at Lennie's request for ketchup:

'Whatever we ain't got, that's what you want. God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go and get a job an' work, an' no trouble....An' whatta I got,' George went on furiously. 'I got you! You can't keep a job and you lose me ever' job I get. Jus' keep me shovin' all over the country all the time. An' that ain't the worst. You get in trouble. You do bad things and I got to get you out’

George has to look after himself as well as Lennie, and almost instantly he sees the dangers that Curley and his wife will present to Lennie.

George learns from Candy's response to the shooting of his dog that he is responsible for Lennie and this influences his decision to shoot Lennie himself rather than let Curley's lynch mob get him. George has taken the decision that he can do no more for Lennie, and allows the men to assume that the shooting was in self defence in order that he is a truly free man. Ironically Slim understands George's decision and appears to know the truth of the incident -

'Never you mind,' said Slim. 'A guy got to sometimes.'

What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? Is the verdict predictable or not?This answer will be found in chapter 21 in...

Atticus knew that Tom was going to be found guilty. He was, after all, a black man trying to get a fair trial in the small southern town of Maycomb. Atticus knew exactly what was going to happen. He knew that he had proven without a doubt that Tom was innocent, but being a black man, he was already judged guilty. 

When the jury takes longer than usual, there is a silent sense of hope. Atticus hopes that the people of the jury will realize they are about to convict an innocent man. The members of the jury have already made up their minds, and are just talking in the jury room. The outcome of the verdict is very predictable. Everyone knew that Tom was not going to have any justice. Bottom line was he was a black man, and to the eyes of most of the people in Maycomb, that meant guilty. 

What is the saddest of all, is that a man like Bob Ewell, who is cruel and vindictive, gets some kind of justice, just because he is white. Being a black man in Maycomb, was a dangerous thing, and being accused of rape of a white woman, was a death sentence. Atticus had proved that there was no way Tom could have committed the crime, but just because he was a black man, the verdict was concluded long before the trial even began.

Identify a simile, metaphor, and allusion in Act 2 Scene 3-4 of Romeo and Juliet.

An allusion is a reference to something famous. This line is referencing Titan, a Greek god character:

From forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels:

A simile compares using like or as:

Without his roe, like a dried herring: flesh, flesh,
how art thou fishified!

Mercutio says this about Romeo comparing him to a fish that just flops around.

A metaphor states something as if it is something else:

The earth that's nature's mother is her tomb;
What is her burying grave that is her womb,

Here, a hole in the earth meant to bury someone is compared to a woman's womb.

What did Nikki Giovanni do in her life?

In my mind, Giovanni's role at Virginia Tech after the shootings in 2007 represented one of the most powerful contributions any thinker can render to such a crisis.  Being an English teacher at the school, she was able to serve as a voice of the community and to the outside world.  She turned the moment of horrific and unspeakable cruelty to one of healing through both her poetry and the emotion of the moment.  She was able to articulate the rage, sadness, unspeakable hurt, and search for justice through her poetry.  She became a symbol to so many in the Virginia Tech community, individuals who sought words to convey their condition.  This contribution distinguishes any poet or thinker, but becomes extremely relevant when discussing Giovanni's.

How well did Tolstoy follow his own advice in The Death of Ivan Ilych?

Thank you for the question. I actually like these that combine some literature with history as well!

Tolstoy's personal life (albeit with some commonalities) bears little resemblance to that of Ivan Ilych; however Ivan Ilych offers Tolstoy a chance to expand upon his spiritual philosophy. To this end one can say that Tolstoy was reaching for ascetic morality.

One commonality is marriage. Though Tolstoy's marriage to Sophia Bers was originally happy, later their later life together was very unhappy deteriorating as his beliefs became increasingly radical, such as rejecting his inherited and earned wealth.

Another commonality is belief. Russian-born novelist Vladimir Nabokov has said that for Tolstoy, a sinful life is moral death. As such, death (the return of the soul to God) is for Tolstoy moral life. Ivan had lived a spiritually unfulfilled life, but in death Ivan had entered into a new life.

To the modern reader, perhaps another interpretation of the end of the novella is that of a true consciousness. Ivan has been not a human, but a machine living a lie perpetuated by society at large. It is in his interactions with Gerasim, the servant boy, who is both dedicated and empathetic, genuine human affection is felt. Slowly, but finally, Ivan is able to connect to his family, this is true in the scene when his son kisses his fingers.

Finally, in a connection between fiction and real life, Tolstoy rejected Anna Karenina and War and Peace, later in his life as something not as true of reality. It is this argument supported in The Death of Ivan Ilyich, where family and servants are demanded by Ivan to live honesty, which according to him is more important than water and food.

So, to answer specifically the question how well did he follow his own advice, one may argue that Tolstoy did indeed follow his own advice.

Hope it helps.

Do you think the degree of revenge described in the story is ever justified? What other actions could Montresor have taken?

Poe very wisely starts his story with the words "The thousand injuries of Fortunato..." If we accept Montresor's statement that he has been injured a thousand times, as I believe we should, then his desire for revenge seems justified. A thousand injuries is a lot of injuries. As far as the "insult" is concerned, I think this is only included because it triggers the desire for revenge for the thousand injuries. When Fortunato ventures upon "insult," it shows that the man is going to get even more overtly injurious. Montresor has, as he says, borne the injuries as best he could. Now it would seem that Fortunato wants to see if Montresor will tolerate open insults.

What a strange pair these men are! Why does Montresor stick around to be injured a thousand times? It must be because he is somehow dependent on Fortunato. There is strong suggestion that both these men are in the same line of business. They buy and sell one-of-a-kind valuable articles. This is suggested by the following quote:

Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity, to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian millionaires. In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere. In this respect I did not differ from him materially;—I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.

Fortunato is rich. Montresor is poor. No doubt Montresor sometimes borrows money from Fortunato or asks him to become an ad hoc partner in a purchase. For example, an impecunious aristocratic Venetian family may have to part with an oil painting by a great master in order to survive in their deteriorating palazzo in the decaying city of Venice. If Fortunato and Montresor are business associates, and if Fortunato usually takes unfair advantage of Montresor in their deals, this would explain the thousand injuries and explain why Montresor puts up with them.

The other action Montresor could have taken would have been to break off all relations with Fortunato. We are all at liberty to do this when we find that someone we know is not treating us with proper respect--and this is what we should do. However, it may be that Montresor simply cannot afford to break with Fortunato. They appear to be "friendly enemies." They cooperate and compete. This Luchesi, who never actually appears, is another friendly enemy.

If Montresor simply stopped having anything to do with Fortunato, his friendly enemy could become an unfriendly enemy. Fortunato might be able to ruin Montresor socially and financially. Montresor says of him:

...although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared.

Montresor is afraid of him. We have all known people like Fortunato. They can be bad friends and worse enemies. It is best not to get involved with such people in the first place--if we will trust our first impressions!

In Chapter 17 of "To Kill a Mockingbird," why is it ironic when Mr. Ewell says he says black people "devalue" his property?

Mr. Ewell is the epitome of "poor white trash," and his family lives in what amounts to a junkyard:

"Maycomb's Ewells lived behind the town garbage dump in what was once a Negro cabin....Its windows were merely open spaces in the walls, which in the summertime were covered with greasy strips of cheesecloth to keep out the varmints that feasted on Maycomb's refuse." 

If he cared so much about the value of his property, he would take some pride in it and clean it up.  The close proximity of the black people in the neighborhood has nothing to do with the poor value of his house and land. Had prejudice not been so rampant at this time and place in history, people could have recognized that the presence of the black neighborhood - better cared for than the Ewell's place - actually improved the property values.

What are some of the themes and symbols in Twelve Angry Men?

Many themes are explored in the play Twelve Angry Men, which follows the discussion of a jury trying to decide whether a defendant is guilty or innocent.  The themes of justice, social inequality, and social responsibility are all present throughout this discussion.

The jurors can be seen as symbols for certain parts of society.  Juror Eight is the most liberal and open-minded of the group.  It is his vote, and his dissenting voice, which keeps the jury from delivering a speedy vote of guilty.

Juror Ten, on the other hand, symbolizes the bigotry and racism present in mid-century American society.  He assumes the defendant is guilty simply because he is from a bad part of town, and is determined to see him go to jail.

The theme of justice is present throughout the play, as Juror Eight urges his fellow jurors to look at the facts rather than rely on their emotional responses.  Ideal justice is therefore shown to be both logical and fair.

The theme of class is also present, and is personified by the bigotry of Juror Ten.  Even though there was a growing middle class in the 1950's when the play was written and first performed, class struggles were still present in society, and the play suggests that a person should be judged based on the facts of the case, not their social standing.

What is the Securities Act of 1933?Is it the same as the SEC?

Yes, it is pretty much the same thing.  This law was meant to regulate the sale of securities (stocks, etc).  The point of it was to try to protect investors from fraud.

This law had two main goals.  First, it was supposed to make sure that the public (potential investors) got legitimate information about securities that were being offered for sale to the public.  The second goal was to prohibit sellers from deceiving or defrauding the public when they sold securities.

The SEC itself was not created until the next year, but the 1933 law gave the government the right to do much of what the SEC does.

Which humanistic problem did the stiry address?what problem, that is human nature, did the the boook theif have

"The Book Thief" addressed the issues facing the Jews during the Holocaust.  I am not exactly sure what you need.

In the book thief, a young girl, Liesel Meminger, loves to read and learn.  She has been sent to live with a man and his wife after her mother dsappears.  They are poor and rough around the edges.  They provide her with support.  The woman fusses and nags a lot, but she still cares about the girl.  The man is very loving and kind.  The girl quickly bonds with him.

Liesel begins to steal books.  She steals them from the books burned by the Nazi's.  She even steels them from the town mayor.  Liesel's foster mother works for him and his wife washing their laundry.  The woman is very sad having lost a child and is reclusive.

Liesel has a special male friend whom she plays with.  She does not tell him about her Jewish friend.  The air raids begin and are dropping bombs n the town.  She and her foster parents hide with other neighbors in a bomb shelter.  To calm the people she reads or tells them stories that she has read.  Food and work are in short supply.

Liesel's foster father has been asked to return a favor and to hide a Jewish man.  It is in his decision that we find the depth of human nature.  He must decide to take a chance on losing everything in order to protect the man or refuse to follow through.  He chooses to hide the man in his cellar. He can not allow his own child to find out or he would probably become angry.  His son is also disappointed that his father will not register with the political party.  It could mean a better job and some help with rations. The girl befriends the Jewish man and shares her love of books with him..

The Jewish man has to be moved to another place.  Later Liesel sees him being paraded with other Jews through town by the Nazis.  She can stand back or greet him.  She runs to him upset.  She tells her friend the story of the Jew.

The story ends with a bomb that kills Liesel's new family and her friend.  In the end she is taken in by the mayor and his wife.  It is the beginning of the woman's re-emergence into humanity and Liesel's new start in life.

I believe that from a humanistic approach the situation with the Jewish man and having to take a stand to protect one citizen was a momentous decision.  Many people during Nazi times looked the other way and did nothing, but Liesel's foster father is a good man.  He makes a decision that eventually will lead to the survival of the Jewish man following the war.

Explain freon fire in a refrigeration plant.

Freon fire is a trademark for any of several organic compounds containing fluorine (fluorocarbons) and sometimes chlorine (chloroflurocarbons, or CFCs). It is nonflammable, nontoxic, and noncorrosive, they have low boiling points, which makes them useful as refrigerants. By the mid-1970s they were in wide use in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, as blowing agents for plastic foams, as fire-extinguishing agents, and in aerosol sprays. Evidence has accumulated that decomposition of CFCs in the stratosphere destroys ozone.

Depletion of ozone in stratosphere causes direct as well as indirect harmful effects Ozone strongly absorbs solar UV radiation, causing atmospheric temperature to climb to about 30°F (0°C) at the top of the layer, and preventing much of this radiation from reaching earth's surface, where it would injure many living things. Chloroflurocarbons, or CFCs, and some other air pollutants that diffuse into the ozone layer destroy ozone. In the mid-1980s, scientists discovered that a "hole" — an area where the ozone is up to 50% thinner than normal — develops periodically in the ozone layer above Antarctica. This severe regional depletion, explained as a natural seasonal depletion, appears to have been exacerbated by the effects of CFCs, and may have led to an increase in skin cancer caused by UV exposure.

In the book "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" compare and contrast Renee's and Paloma's basic life philosophies.I'd like to know the effect of each...

Renee and Paloma are both hedgehogs - what you see on the outside is not as fine as what is on the inside. Renee is a blue collar concierge who has the heart, soul and mind of a Renaissance scholar. She has educated herself (she's an autodidact, she says). She does not feel comfortable, however, on that level of society, so she pretends to be a common dolt. As such, she has contempt for the wealthy tenants that live in her apartment building. She appreciates music, art, philosophy, fine food and is constantly trying to define beauty.

Paloma is a "spoiled little rich girl" who also has the heart, soul and mind of a Renaissance scholar. She goes to school, but what she has learned on her own far surpasses what anyone suspects. So, in a way, she is also an autodidact like Renee. Paloma shares Renee's contempt for the wealthy society in which she lives. She believes that life is so boring and frustrating that she plans to kill herself. Like Renee, she also loves art, music and philosophy and is constantly trying to define beauty and truth.

When Renee and Paloma discover each other, they realize they have shared interests, but ironically, I think, what really is uplifiting about their friendship is not art, music and philosophy but the human connectedness each one finds in the other.

Paloma laments Renee's death by saying that her "kindred soul" is lying dead in a refrigerator -- and that it hurts. As she is dying, Renee laments that if she ever had a daughter, it would have been Paloma. Each has affected the other's life in a positive way. Renee also expresses a dying wish to Paloma:

And with all my strength I impore that your life be worthy of all that you promise.

After her death, Paloma decides not to kill herself or burn the apartment building down because:

Don't worry Renee. . . from now on, for you, I'll be searching for those moments of always within never.

How do the two stages of photosynthesis work together?

Photosynthesis is the most fundamental process in nature. All life on earth depends directly or indirectly on this process. The present state of our knowledge regarding the photosynthetic process proves that it is not a one step process, but it is a two step process.

The primary reaction in photosynthesis depends on light and hence called light reaction or photochemical reaction. The light reaction is followed by second step in which light is not required but the product of light reaction is used up for the fixation of carbon dioxide in carbohydrates, known as dark reaction or thermochemical reaction.

The light reaction is initiated when specific light is absorbed by antenna chlorophyll. The absorbed energy is either trapped at the reaction centre and used to perform photo-chemical act. The two photosystems are known as photosystem I and photosystem II. both exist as structural entities within the thylakoid lamellae forming separate pigment protein complexes.

In the poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, why does he use literary techniques to reveal journeys?

You ask why Frost uses "literary techniques to reveal journeys."  You don't ask how he does it or what the results of what he does are, so I will specifically answer the why.  

First, why does he use literary techniques to reveal journeys?  Because that's what poets do.  Metaphor, in a broad sense, is at the heart of most writing, but especially poetry.  Human beings tend to think in metaphorical terms.  Comparison is one basis of our knowledge and how we learn.  Metaphor in poetry allows readers to feel a sense of discovery as we "decode" the metaphor, and readers love to think we are making discoveries. 

Using metaphors gives layers to the ideas poets express.  Metaphors have two parts:  tenor and vehicle.  The tenor is the idea the poet wants to communicate (decisions made in life, for Frost, here), and the vehicle is whatever is used to help explain the tenor (the fork in the road, for Frost).  Frost uses metaphor because it works.  It's a better way to explain.

There are other literary techniques used here, of course, but metaphor dominates the poem.

What images and symbols can be used to describe Portia on her epitaph?I have to find both an item and an picture to put on her headstone that...

Portia in Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar" is a woman of great beauty and intelligence.  She is the wife of Brutus, he man who will slay Caesar.  She can be very manipulative with Brutus and uses this to gain all the information she desires.  She is also demanding of his love.  However, she is supportive of her husband and does serve as his confident.

I looking at an epitaph for Portia, I would create one that defines her greatest role and that is as a fair and beautiful wife to Brutus.  Perhaps you could have a rose on the headstone or a set of gentle violets.  These could represent her beauty.  I think a rose would do well because it has a strong stem and Portia was a strong woman to want to carry Brutus' secrets.

In act 1 scene 2 what is Cassius concerned about in the coversation between him and Brutus

"Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus..."

Cassius has noticed Caesar's growing power and believes that he could be dangerous if given absolute power.  Cassius is different than Brutus is these fears and concerns, though.  Cassius is riddled with jealousy about Caesar's new found power.  Several times he reminds Brutus how equal they should all be according to their stations in life and how easily one of them could be in power also.

Even with that jealousy, though, Cassius understands what the Roman republic is all about.  He questions what kind of a country they have become when one man holds all the power.

In the story "Young Goodman Brown", what are some examples of his use of reversals?

One reversal is in how the young married couple deals with the night in question. Brown and Faith are apart from one another one whole night, yet they react in different ways.

While Brown is unable to get past his suspicion of Faith's attending a black mass, Faith forgives her husband's absence for a whole night. Brown has no true proof, because he cannot determine whether he experienced a terrible dream or real event, he still holds her "supposed" fall from grace against her.

Faith, on the other hand, definitely knows her husband disappeared for the whole night, but she forgives him this indiscretion.

What values seem to clash in the short story "Indian Education" by Alexie?

In Sherman Alexie's "Indian Education," bigotry and prejudice by whites and others clash against Native Americans and their values.  I use the term Native Americans for lack of a better term.  Alexie himself calls the term an oxymoron, and of course he is correct, but it's still probably better than Indian, with the history that term recalls.   

The white teacher in the white Indian school is petty and ignorant and prejudiced and tries to take the character's identity and heritage away from him.  She punishes him for "everything."  She is definitely an enlightened individual.

The Chicano teacher assumes that the protagonist is drunk when he passes out in the gym at a dance, after a basketball game in a hot gym during which he scored 27 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.  The teacher says: 

What's that boy been drinking?  I know all about these Indian kids.  They start drinking real young.

The narrator notes that, after he's transferred to a nonreservation shool (it's implied, of course, that the reservation shool is so absolutely terrible that he has to transfer if he wants any kind of future at all) and played for their basketball team, nicknamed the "Indians," that he is probably the only actual Indian to ever play for a school with such a mascot.  Whites like to take cool names from Native Americans, just like they took their lands. 

This fiction is about the clash between whiltes and others, and natives of this land. 

How did the United States act as an imperialist power in LAtin America?

Since the early 1900's, the US has largely continued to act as an imperialist power up until the early 1990's.  The US military has spent time in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador to secure US business and political interests.  Governments were removed in Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador and Cuba either through engineering elections or by assassination.

Later in the 20th century, Latin America was a Cold War battleground, where the US favored dictators as long as they were anti-communist.  Weapons sales and economic aid were given to leaders that were loyal.

How do men and women interact in the World State? Who holds the power in social situations, in the workplace, and in the government? in a complete...

Clearly, the men hold the power in the World States. The new students at the Hatchery are all male, therefore it is clear to see that no women are allowed to be educated there. They also sterilize female fetuses when the need to control reproduction arises, but they never sterilize the males.

While sexually, the men and women do appear to be equal, in positions of power and government, the men are in charge.

Why is "The Lottery" considered a classic?

The previous response included many important elements, but I think that "The Lottery" has withstood the test of time because of the richness of meaning contained within it.  When we discuss this story in class, many possible themes emerge.

One theme concerns the failure to examine ritual and tradition. The people in this story follow tradition unquestioningly, even though that ritual results in a death. They do not even know why the tradition exists. Is that a good idea? How many of us participate in rituals that have no meaning? Is that good?

A second theme that emerges is that of sacrifice.  Tessie is the scapegoat, taking everyone's "sin" off into the desert, the original meaning of that word. Or Tessie is a sacrifice to the gods. Are we as sophisticated as we think we are, or are we just as primitive, making sacrifices to have a better crop? 

Third, and perhaps most important, the people in the village are decent, everyday people, not all that different from us. Yet they participate in a killing every year.  Why does no one protest? What happens when good people do not oppose an evil act? THis is a particularly important question in today's world, in which numerous holocausts have taken place because good people did not speak up.

There are other themes, I am sure, that can be seen in the story, but the important point is that the story has so much to think about, with meaning that is important no matter what the time or place. 

How is the topic, 'Justice is better determined in a court of law' present in The Crucible? Or do you disagree with this statement from the book?

There are two opposing views here.  One view suggests that Arthur Miller is states just is best left to the court, as opposed to the public.  The other view is that Miller portrays the failures of the court system.

In supporting the court system, Miller shows the hysteria of the town.  Revered  Hale is the minister of the court, trying to find honesty, but the town's hysteria, and the girls (particularly Abigail) hinder the his cause.  The court tries to allow the accused townspeople to defend themselves.  However, the hysteria of the people has led to dishonesty and perjury, preventing Hale's efforts.  Remove the town from the courtroom and justice would be better served.

The other side goes as follows:  The court of law fails to provide justice, being too concerned with appearance.  In this argument, the judges are to blame for their desperation to "solve the case".  They cajole and bully the accused into signing documents they themselves know to be untrue.  The court is at the mercy of the townspeople, and the townspeople worked into a frenzy at the court's slightest decision.  Never is this more clear than in the last act, when Hale admits that things in Salem got out of control, but works to convince Proctor to sign a confession.  His reasoning is this: the townspeople won't let it be otherwise.  Therefore, the court has no real power.

What is the short summary of Caesar and Cleopatra?

The powerful Roman dictator Julius Caesar becomes enthralled with the 16-year old Egyptian queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, in George Bernard Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra. Like Caesar, Cleopatra is also in a power struggle over the control of her lands, but her childish attitude shows her extreme immaturity. Caesar, who is middle-aged and wise enough to avoid the allure of the fascinating temptress, teaches her the art of politics that will eventually make her a stronger leader. She is attracted to Caesar, but saves her love for Marc Antony. Caesar manages to control his own urges, and his own practical nature and supreme intelligence is not wasted upon Cleopatra, who grows stronger in power and maturity from her meetings with the Roman leader.

In regards to History of Plymouth Plantation, how did religion during the time of the Puritans differ from religion today?

The Puritans had simple religious beliefs and a simple manner of worship.  Most of the Puritans wanted to get rid of the costly, ornamental vestiges that cluttered other religions, namely the robes, ceremonies, and icons.  Some wanted to get rid of stained glass windows, statues, and religious music.  They wore simple, plain, drab clothing, attended church on the Sabbath in a plain wooden building, and strictly held to the teachings in the Bible.  They were mostly quiet, reserved, and usually not in the limelight of politics, industry, or manufacture.  They did not care for show, notoriety, or fame.

In contrast, the religions of today are often associated with stylish clothing, upper-class wealthy people, and fancy cars to brandish their adherrance to God.  There are often pledge drives and religious services broadcast on television and radio to recruit followers.  They build immense, lavish churches, and remind me of the words in the Scriptures:  "They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."

Of course, not all religions are like this as there are certainly good people in all sects who try to live their religion devotedly and quietly without all the hype. 

In Morte d'Arthur, how does Arthur kill Mordred and what does Mordred do just before he dies?

In Malory's, Morte d'Arthur, King Arthur runs Mordred through with his spear.  He manages to get "under" Mordred's shield and drives the spear "throughout the body more than a fathom."  A fathom is six feet. 

Before he dies, however, Mordred, knowing he's going to die anyway,

 ",,,thrust himself with the might that he had up to the burr of king Arthur's spear, and right so he smote his father King Arthur with his sword holden in both his hands, upon the side of the head, that the sword pierced the helmet and the casing of the brain. 

The burr is the hand guard. Thus, Arthur kills Mordred and Mordred kills Arthur. 

What is the main idea of George Orwell's essay "A Hanging"?

In my opinion, the main point of this essay is how immense of a thing it is to kill a human being.  You can see this in a couple of ways in the essay.

First, you see it in Orwell's discussion of that very idea: he talks about how strange and wrong it is that the guy could be walking along, alive, and two minutes later he'll be dead.

It is curious, but till that moment I had never realized what it means to destroy a healthy, conscious man. When I saw the prisoner step aside to avoid the puddle, I saw the mystery, the unspeakable wrongness, of cutting a life short when it is in full tide.

Then, the idea comes up again after the hanging is over.  The people who participated in it are acting strangely. Orwell himself feels the need to laugh. It's like they are a bit hysterical or on an adrenaline high because they know how terrible (I don't mean immoral here--I mean something more like "inspiring terror") a thing they have done.

Can Macbeths dishonesty be connected to Geroge Washingtons honesty?In my essay, I chose to focus on honesty as an important leadership quality, but...

This is a really interesting idea for an essay, but not an easy one.  The problem, to me, is that it's hard to think of a leader who is always honest.

Actually, I'm not sure that we would think of someone as a great leader if they were always honest.  For example, Franklin Roosevelt is famous for saying that Americans had nothing to fear but fear itself.  But really, they had actual fears -- many Americans were unemployed, many more had good reason to be afraid of losing their jobs.  In that case, Roosevelt's job was to be inspiring, not to be honest.  Do you think you might want to focus on when it's good to be honest and when it's not?

As far as honesty, you might want to look at Lincoln.  He did more stuff as president than Washington did.  You might talk about him being honest by talking about how the country couldn't continue on divided instead of trying to paper over the problems and let things go on how they had been.  But even he didn't tell the truth all the time -- I really think that leaders have to fudge things in times of crisis...

In chapter 8 of To Kill a Mockingbird, how do people react to the fire at Miss Maudie's house?

The fire scene also shows how the town functions when one of their own, a white woman, needs help.  All of the men in the town show up to cart out Miss Maudie's furniture.  We also see how small and poor the town is for one reason the fire consumes the house is that the old fire truck "killed by the cold, was being pushed from town by a crowd of men." And then when it finally reaches its destination, "the hose burst an water shot up, tinkling down the pavement." The (white) people in this town can be loving and they do form a real community in spite of their differences, yet they are ill prepared for any real tragedy, which presages the tragedy they will face when Tom is falsely accused of rape.  Fire consumes them as racism consumes them, hurting different people in different ways.

Make a list of adult friendships...how do they interact how are they important how they support each other what is the substance of their...

Geographic location is a significant factor in the establishment of friendships.  Adult friendships develop under different terms than those of children or adolescents.  Adults often meet their friendships through work oriented activities or education related events such as returning to college.

Adults seek out friends for different reasons.  Friendships are often sought out because of mutual interest or circumstances.  For example: A person at work who has a common problem may find himself sharing the situation and it leads to friendship.  Quite often those friendships end when a person leaves to go to another job.

Friendships between opposite sex lay out boundaries in the early stages of the friendship.  If the boundaries are not laid out or not kept the dynamics of the friendship changes.

In order for a bond to form people must interact with one another in a mutual pattern.  If a person begins a conversation and the other person ignores him, the friendship can not develop unless on another try the inter-exchange is established.

People also tend to establish friendships based on their perceptions of others.  If a person  identifies a person’s culture or race in a negative manner, he is less likely to approach the person or respond to the person with friendship.

Adults have a variety of friend types.  They rage from work friends, acquaintances, friends from their neighborhood, friends established through their children, friendships from previous jobs or locations, mates or partners, relatives, sports partners, and gym partners.  Of course they may meet and establish friendships in other ways as well.  For example: Two persons at a doctor's appointment may strike up a conversation over a topic and find they have a common interest which leads to them following up with a phone call and lunch.

Friendships are not that unpredictable.  Most adult friends are in the same economic group, share common values and beliefs, and provide reciprocity in terms of supporting one another.

Imagine Edmond Dantés can write one letter to Mercédes from his prison in the Chateau d'If of The Count of Monte Cristo.

With such an assignment, one needs to consider verisimilitude as the most important element of the letter.  That is, the letter must befit the character as protrayed by the author so that it seems genuine.  Therefore, one should return to the novel and seek salient personality traits of the character; these are often revealed in dialogue and reactions to the character by other characters.  For instance, Dantes is young and ingenuous; having spent much of his time at sea away from his fiancee and her environment, he does not fully comprehend the interrelationships that exist around Mercedes.  And, because he is a first mate, his socializing on Morrel's ship is mainly with gentlemen. Obviously, too, his father has protected Dantes from the "seedier side of life." So, he is unacquainted with the type of character that Caderousse is; the deviousness of Danglars is also unknown to him.

With Danglars and Caderousse, also, Dantes's naivete is indicated. In an instance of situational irony, Dantes replies to the greeting of Caderousse, who asks, "are you too proud to speak to them?"

'No, my dear fellow, I am not proud, but I am in love, and I believe love is more apt to make one blind that pride is."

With this blindness of love, Dantes invites Ferdinand, who secretly desires Mercedes, to his betrothal feast. And, when Fernand open his mouth to reply, his voice "died in his throat," but Dantes does not notice his reaction.  Yet, he has some premonition for he chastises the men not to speak of him as a captain, for it will "bring bad luck."  At the betrothal feast, where his enemies surround him, Dantes does not notice that "Danglars looked at Fernand, who impressionable nature was keenly alive to every emotion," but he does say,

'Joy has that peculiar effect that at times it oppresses us just as much as grief....I cannot help thinking it is not man's lot to attain happiness so easily.  Good fortune is like the palaces of the enchanted isles, the gates of which were guarded by dragons.  Happiness could only be obtained by overcoming these dragons, and I, I know not how I have deserved the honour of becoming Mercedes's husband.'

Added to Dantes's uncertainly and discomfiture with the forces of fate are his experiences when he is brought before the Deputy Procureur, who initially tells Dantes that he is free to go, but then recalls him, asking to him the captain's letter is to be delivered.  At this point, de Villefort sinks into his chair, passing his hand over his brow that drips with perspiration, and rereads the letter a third time (which Dantes does not note).  "He made a violent effort to pull himself together."  Telling Dantes that the principal charge against the young man is the letter, the Deputy Prosecutor sets the letter afire.

Consider, too, the conversation between de Villefort and Dantes when he is examined:

'Perhaps you have no enemies, but you may have aroused feelings of jealousy....'

'You are right.  No doubt you  understand men better than I do, and possibly it is so, but if any of my friends cherish any such envious feeling towards me, I would rather not know lest my friendship should turn into hatred.

'You are wrong, you should always strive to see clearly around you....

All that has happened before Dantes's arrest must still be in his mind as he composes his letter to Mercedes, asking her to make every effort to intercede for him, along with his father. Yet, although he may reflect upon these events, one must also consider that Dantes does not recognize the treachery against him until after he meets the Abbe Faria in prison.  So, while he may mention some oddities of behavior by the other characters, Dantes will not draw the proper conclusions in his letters because he clearly chooses to be naive, as mentioned in several of the above remarks and quotations.

Good luck, now, with the letter which you will write.

I want to know what the symbol is in S. Beckett's "Waiting for Godot"?

The Tree

The tree is the only distinct piece of stage props., so as a symbol it is immediately identified. I think it might be worth while to investigate the biblical implications. Jesus was crucified on a cross, but that cross is sometimes referred to as a "tree," as in, "Jesus was nailed to the tree."  Vladimir and Estragon contemplate hanging themselves from the tree and this is a reference to the crucifixion, but it also parodies the religious significance. If Jesus died to free the (Christian) world from sin, Vladimir and Estragon are dying for…nothing.
Vladimir and Estragon might also represent the thieves crucified alongside Jesus. This fits quite nicely with Vladimir telling the gospel story; one thief is saved and the other damned, so Didi and Gogo are looking at a fifty-fifty chance. The uncertainty that stems from inconsistency between the four gospels is fitting, too, since Vladimir can’t be certain if Godot is coming to save either one of them.  Estragon points out that the duo is not even sure if this is the right tree.

The tree’s random sprouting of leaves in between Act I and Act II symbolises regeneration! Take a look at Vladimir’s line early in Act I, when he says, "Hope deferred maketh the something sick, who said that?" Vladimir is referring to the biblical: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."

So the tree blooming would suggest that it might represent the tree of life. f course, as far as we can tell, no desires have been fulfilled. This could mean that the proverb is completely without truth and reason, which fits with Godot’s general stance on religion. Then again, the tree’s sprouting leaves could be an ironic symbol pointing out that, far from fulfilled desires, hopes have been deferred yet another day – much like Vladimir’s ironic claim in Act II that "things have changed here since yesterday" when, clearly, nothing at all has.

What is the language in Doctor Faustus by Marlowe?

Christopher Marlowe was a Renaissance Elizabethan poet and playwright, a contemporary of William Shakespeare, and he wrote blank verse in Elizabethan English, which is linguistically identified as Early Modern English and is a Germanic language built from a combination of Anglo, Saxon, Latin, Celtic and Norman influences that reflect the history of England. 

The composition of Marlowe's Dr. Faustus employs many literary devices including allusion, digression, simile and metaphor. Using Scene 1 as a handy example, there are many instances of allusion. Allusion is literary technique of referring to the name of an ancient classical character, author or legendary figure or work of writing that is so well defined and known that it represents a concept that is larger than the name itself/ For example, in Line 145 Cornelius makes a classical allusion.to "the Delphian Oracle." All educated people would know that The Delphian Oracle was the Priestess who delivered messages purporting to be the words of the Greek god Apollo. Delphi was one of the most frequented oracular sites in ancient Greece and the most highly trusted. Marlowe is using this allusion of three words to say that Faustus will have great renown for his magical arts and that multitudes of people will come to him to see what mysteries he knows and what miracles he performs.

Digression is a story or train of thought that is off the main topic of discourse in the story but that is used to make a point pertaining to the subject of the text. For instance, Faustus diverts into some short digressions in Scene 1 in Lines 83 through 97 when he gets side tracked from his logical considerations to imagine how he will manipulated the spirits of the magical world to do his bidding in extravagant tasks: "I'll have them fly to India for gold / ...I'll have them fill the public schools with silk, / ...." It is clear that this flights of fancy won't help him to make his decision of help him move on the first step once he has made his decision: it is a digression from the point.

Marlowe uses tropes to enhance his meaning with figurative language that gives added depth of understanding to his subject matter. A trope is a literary device that employs literary techniques of figurative language in metaphor, simile, personification, irony, metonymy, synecdoche and others, Figurative language is that which has meaning beyond its literal meaning. For example the metaphor "He is a rock" does not mean that someone is a chunk of granite but that he has strength that is compared to the strength of a chunk of granite. [Incidentally, metaphor is a comparison without the words "like" or "as." Simile is a comparison with the words "like" or "as": "He is strong like granite."]

In A Separate Peace why didn't Gene feel very grateful toward Finny for saving his life? Should he have been more thankful?

Gene was jealous of Finny before the incident occurred, and to have Finny do yet another spectacular, praisworthy thing just made Gene more envious.  Finny was super popular with kids and adults alike, got away with things that no one else could, had a natural affinity for sports and all things cool, and Gene envied him for all of these things.  And, to top it all off, he was friends with Gene, which in a way, made Gene feel like he was indebted to him for some reason.  So, after Finny saves his life, he feels even more indebted, Finny has yet one more thing on him that makes him feel worthless, and so he reacts with bitterness not gratitude.

Another reason that Gene isn't grateful is that when he was up on that tree limb, he was afraid and terrified. He was mad that Finny had pressured him to be up there in the first place, and him being up there showed himself and everyone else just what a scaredy cat he was.   It made Gene look like a baby to have to be saved by Finny, and Gene, already insecure, didn't like that.  He states at the beginning of chapter three,

"Yes, he had practically saved my life.  He had also practically lost if for me.  I wouldn't have been on that damn limb except for him."

So, he feels stupid that he had to be rescued, by Finny the super-kid of all people, and feels a bit abashed at his fear and cowardice on the limb.  I hope that those thoughts helped a bit; good luck!

How does the weather in this story's setting affects its mood?

In this story, the weather helps to set a mood of foreboding from the very beginning.  Right at the beginning of the story, we know that something bad is going on.  The night is described as wind-scourged and all the animals are afraid.  This helps to set up a mood that is somewhat scary; a mood that makes us think bad things will happen.

As we go along, the weather gets worse.  Eventually, of course, it blows the tree down on the two men.  The weather continues to be bad, which continues to set a scary mood for the story.  With the weather the way it is, we can see that the men are having to fight against nature.

So, the short answer is that the bad weather helps to contribute to the scary mood of the story -- the mood that tells us that the men are struggling against nature and that bad things will happen to them.

Give an example of any product that fulfill or match the Garvin's eight (8) dimensions of quality product.

Garvin (1987) has identified eight dimensions of quality that any company need to pay attention to gain competitive advantage. These are:

• Performance


• Features


• Reliability


• Conformance


• Durability


• Serviceability


• Aesthetics


• Perceived Quality

All these dimensions are present in every product is varying degrees. Let us take the example of an automobile. Its performance is defined in terms of the speed, acceleration, fuel economy and so on.

The features of car may be defined in terms of its dimensions, engine c.c. capacity, nature of upholstery and accessories provided and so on.

Reliability refers to the consistency of performance in accordance withe the claims made about the product. Thus the reliability of a particular model of automobile will be high if every automobile sold give some minimum standard performance rather than some giving performance much above the minimum stated performance standards and some others much below it.

Conformance refers to the adherence to standards set for the product features and performance by buyers, independent agencies and manufacturers. For example an automobile need to conform to standards such as safety and environmental pollution standards.

Durability refers to the longevity of the useful life of the product. It is very easy to understand the concept of longevity for a product like an electric bulb, which just stops lighting after working for some time. In case of the life of automobile does not end just so suddenly. However still we can compare the life of different automobiles in terms of the period and miles drive for which they are capable of giving satisfactory service without excessive cost of maintenance and operation.

Serviceability refers to the ease and cost of keeping the product in a satisfactory working condition. This is of course very important features that for automobile. For example an automobile that need to be serviced, say after driving every 10,000 km is definitely preferable to one that need to be services after every 5,000 km.

Aesthetic refers to the the looks and other features of the product that appeal to the aesthetic sense of the owners. As we all know this has been a very important feature of the modern automobiles and automobile companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars to develop appealing looks for their cars.

Perceives quality refers to how the customer feels about the quality. The perception of customer is very much influenced by all the other seven dimension of quality. In addition it may also be affected bu the way company markets its products and the personal experiences of the customer with the product. For example, some companies promote formation of clubs and association of the users of their automobiles to foster more favourable emotional response from customers towards their products.

Reference:

Garvin, D., "Competing on the eight Dimension of Quality", Harvard Business Review 65:6 (1987): 101-109

Amirs confrontation with Assef in Wazir Akar Khan marks an important turning point in the novel.Why does the author have Amir,Assef and Sohrab all...

In the book "The Kite Runner" years before Amir has the confrontation with Assef, Amir witnesses Assef raping his close companion Hassan.  He has always been skittish and is not a fighter.  He is worried about the destruction of his kite but he is also scared to try and intervene.  He never tells what he knows and it causes his feelings to turn into anger towards Hassan.  He begins to treat the boy badly.  The boy has done nothing but love Amir and still cares about him.  Amir tries to get his father to send Ali and Hassan away.  When his father doesn't, he sets Hassan up by placing an object where it appears that Hassan stole it.  Ali leaves with Hassan.

Amir has spent his life suffering inside because of the events on that day and the way that he had handled things.  After Rahim tells him about Hassan and his wife's death Amir goes to find Sohrab, Hassan's son.  He has found out that Hassan was actually his half brother.   He risks his life to find the boy and wears a fake beard.  However, he does not know that the boy is being held by Assef.

Assef is Hassan's rapeist and he is a saddist.  He has turned the boy, Sorhab, into a sexual toy.  He makes him dress like a girl and ouches him in front of Amir.  He remembers that Amir was always afraid and he plays with his mind.  Amir attacks him as soon as they are alone and rescues Sohrab.

Amir’s scar represents his taking a stand.  His father was one to state many quotes.  One of the quotes in the book was:

“A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything.”

Amir is no longer the boy who would not stand up.  He is now the man who stood up to save his brother’s child.  The scar is his symbol of manhood.

The situation with Assef sets Amir free from the shame he had been holding since his childhood.  His redemption occurs when he ahs saved the boy and is raising him with pride.  The boy is known as a Hazara but he is no longer that, he is Amir’s nephew.

I need help with an introduction that includes a thesis statement, Im doing a research argument essay on paranormal activity...

Before you begin to write, collect scientific data on your subject, testimony from authorities, and as many facts as possible.

1. To begin with, you will want to write a brief, direct statement of where you stand on the issue:  This is your position statement , or proposition--the thesis statement of your persuasive essay which indicates two broad, fundamental reason for your position.


2. Set up a pro-con table.  It is important that you understand and anticipate all the arguments/counterarguments that your issue gives rise to.  Put "Pro" on the left-hand side and "Con" on the right-hand side, then, jot down all the reasons that you have collected.


3. List arguments and counterarguments.  Using your pro-con table as a basis, write a more extensive list of possible arguments to support your side and a list of possible objections, or counterarguments, for the other side.  Come back to this and check for the validity of your arguments (i.e. be sure you have not used logical fallacies.)  If, as you collect arguments for and against the issue, you come across an opposing argument that you cannot refute, you must acknowledge it and affirm its validity.  (This is called conceding a point.)  It is not a weakness to do this; in fact, it is a sign of strength that demonstrates that you have thoroughly considered all sides and are being fair.

Be sure to write a well reasoned essay with plenty of support that no one can argue with [examples, expert opinions, statistics).  Be sure to deal thoroughly and fairly with counterarguments.

Craft an effective introduction as it is important to make your readers care about the issue from the outset.  Begin with an attention-getting anecdote or example, a surprising statistic, of a rhetorical question [ one that is asked to make people think)  Then, clearly identify the issue, and state your position on it

You may wish to organize your essay by importance with the most significant argument first.  However, sometimes it is effective to move from least to most, saving the "heaviest ammuntion" for the last.

Logical order presents oppononents' positions and then presents your refutations of these arguments through comparison and contrast or rebuttal.

Use both logical appeals, ones made to reason, and emotional appeals.  To develop emotional appeals, think about the evidence you have collected that will speak to your readers' hearts:  Examples, vivid details, anecdotes, and experiences can be used effectively.

Emotional appeals also come from the connotative meanings of words that you choose.  Connotative words are words that can deliver a "punch." Used carefully and sparingly, these words will cause readers to become not just intellectually involved, but emotionally, as well.

Always consider the audience's response, since affecting their opinions is your primary goal.  Think about how much your audience already knows about your issue, and provide background information, if necessary

The conclusion of your essay should leave readers feeling that and issue has been adequately and fairly explored.  You may wish to reword your thesis, or make a statement about what might happen if they do not follow the course of action you recommend.

How much of a surprise is it to find what Boo Radley is really like? Had we been prepared for this discovery in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Harper Lee does an excellent job of foreshadowing in To Kill a Mockinbird, and one of the key characters whose ultimate character is revealed to be far different from what society (as represented by Scout, Jem and Dill) expects is Boo. The gifts that he leaves for the children are only one example. From the start, he is painted as a strange (therefore evil) man; however, what is being represented in this portrayal is a major theme of the novel - society's mistrust of and animosity toward the "other" defined as anyone who exists outside of the 'norms' that govern the society in question.

In this case, two major "others" are examined: Boo (mentally handicapped) and Tom Robinson (African American). In both instances, society as a whole has outcast these individuals, but in different ways. Tom is an outcast because of his race. The results of the trial should come as no surprise to anyone who has any familiarity with the time period. Boo is an outcast because of his disability. At this point in time (and to be honest this has not changed all that much today) mentally handicapped people were institutionalized or "hidden" as it were from society. As a result, the general public did not understand mental illness and viewed it as a flaw that was then connected to evil.

To fully understand this, look at all of American history - from the Native Americans (dubbed savages) to the Salem Witch Trials (some of those accused were afflicted with mental illnesses) to the modern day tendency to alienate and label people who suffer from mental illnesses or mental retardation, the other has always produced a sense of fear. What Lee is getting at is the fact that the other may not be all that "different" and that different does not always have to be a negative thing. By carefully following her themes, the ending should come to no surprise to the reader.

Write short notes on i) Repetitive motion injury ii) Cumulative trauma disorder iii) Neck tension syndrome.Question is related with ergonomics

Cumulative trauma disorder and  repetitive motion injury are two different terms with same meaning. These refer to injury or health disorder caused by repetitive motion during normal work. This disorder referred by many different names such as repetitive stress injury, and overuse syndrome. Neck tension syndrome is a specific type of repetitive motion injury. Repetitive motion injury are caused by awkward postures and motions of the body which put excess strain on the body which does not cause immediate injury, but when such postures and movement s are repeated frequently, the negative effect on the body builds up slowly over a time and may cause severe health problems. Some of the common types of repetitive motion injury are back strain, eye strain, neck tension syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, and bursitis.

Injury or disorders caused by repetitive motions can be treated by various methods including restriction of movement, application of heat and cold, physiotherapy, medication, and surgery.

Neck tension syndrome is caused by body posture and and work in which the the neck may have to be repeatedly or continuously strained to look up, down or sideways, or by holding arms extended.For example it may be caused by postures and repetitive motions such insufficient back support in chair and leaning forward, looking op at computer monitor or other displays that are placed too high, cradling handset with neck during telephonic conversation, and typing with elbows and fore arms unsupported. It causes problems such as stiff neck, neck or shoulder tension, tight chest and headaches.

How has the significance of the conch changed in Chapter 6?

In the beginning of the book "The Lord of The Flies" the conch represented civilization and law.  Whenever someone held the conch he was to be listened to and allowed to speak.  It created a sense of order for the boys with civilized laws.  In chapter 6 the society of the boys has begun to splinter.  Ralph calls them to an assembly.  Ralph does not call the meeting loudly.  Instead he whispers to the twins to call the others to the meeting.  He holds up the conch in silence.

Eric shares that they have seen the beast with their own eyes, referring to him and his twin, Sam. Jack breaks into the conversation despite not having the conch.  He is contesting the laws of the society.  He has just disrupted the civilization as the boys had established it.  Jack has essentially demonstrated that he will now make his own laws and rules.

What motivated the West's interest in Asia and what impact did that interest eventually have?

jenniekim91,

The proverbial “three g’s”—gold, God, and glory—were the primary motivators for the West's interest in Asia. Religious passions inspired the crusaders to initiate their quest to retake the Holy Lands. More to the point, the Jesuits and other missionary orders established proselytizing enterprises throughout Asia. In the Philippines, Spanish missionaries introduced Christianity, often at sword point, while elite-oriented missionary endeavors by Matteo Ricci and his brethren sought converts in China.

The lure of fortune to be made in the Asian spice, tea, silk, or various other trades attracted not just the attention of merchants but of entire Western nation governments. Europeans quickly discovered that whoever dominated the seas and their routes to Asia could monopolize that trade over the entire European market. Thus, despite their tenacious attempts to maintain their monopoly, the Portuguese lost control to the Dutch, who in turn could not hold back the British.

Finally, national glory and honor came to be associated with the strength of one’s position in Asia. Part of that glory came in the form of wealth derived from the Asian trade, and part from displays of the naval power required to maintain dominance on the high seas. The attractiveness of Asia and the benefits mentioned above led explorers, such as Columbus himself, to discover new lands and Europe’s eventual colonization of most of the globe, either by claiming lands discovered while trying to get to Asia, building on lands en route to Asia, or establishing footholds in Asia itself.

Using the accounting terms standardized and harmonized: which of these best describes the 10 Commandments from the Bible?The question relates to...

The term standardisation of accounts refer to the prescribed and accepted practices for preparing and presenting accounting information in a way that promotes health of the company and balanced protection of interests of all the stake holders of the company. Thus standardisation is concerned with what is the right and wrong way of preparing and presenting accounts.

This kind of accounts standardisation is undertaken by every country or state independently. While this may be fine for the business confined to a single state or country, a need for common international code across all the countries of the world is felt in wake of increasing globalization. The attempt to standardize accounts across different countries is frequently referred as harmonization of accounts. Thus harmonization is more concerned with compatibility of accounting standards of different countries rather than the basic standards itself.

Based on the above explained difference between accounts standardization and harmonization, I believe that The Ten Commandments in the Bible are more like accounting standards that prescribe the right way of behaviour to secure the best interest of individual as well as the society. A person can follow and benefit from the Ten Commandments, without bothering to relate or harmonize these from any other guidelines that may exist elsewhere in the world.

The term harmonization will be better applicable to a common code of conduct that encompasses the basic principles of Ten Commandments and many other similar guidelines of personal conduct, although the language used to describe various principles may be different.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, why does Scout disapprove of Jem's and Dill's plan of looking in at one of the Radleys' windows?

Jem, Scout and Dill have made it their mission to get Boo out of his house. It is all they can think about and they are consumed with the idea of it. Atticus is tired of the kids disturbing the Radley's and warns the children to stop bothering them. Jem and Dill still want to go ahead with their plan of looking in the windows of the Radley house, but Scout is against the idea. She doesn't want to disobey and disappoint Atticus. 

The kids have been so consumed with the idea of Boo Radley, that this is all they can think about. Atticus realizes what they are doing and wants to put a stop to it. Atticus has known the Radley's a long time and just wants people to leave them alone, he especially wants his children to not become a part of the people who torment the Radley's. By the time the trial starts, the children have gotten over trying to get Boo out. They are focused on more important things. 

What Jem and Scout don't realize, is that Boo Radley is watching them, as well. They can't even begin to imagine the nightmare they are about to be a part of, and the role Boo will play in all of this.

In The Bean Trees, what are three things Missy's mother, Mama, did to help build Missy's feelings of self worth and confidence?

Missy's mother always demonstrated a respect for human dignity while raising Missy (Marietta). This was apparent in the way she spoke of her employers and it was apparent in the way she treated Missy. It was also apparent in the way Mama allowed Missy to dub herself "Miss Marrieta," both claiming and reflecting the kind of respect Mama's employers received.

Mama always anticipated Missy doing her best and being her best. This was apparent in Mama's reaction to whatever schoolwork or artwork Missy brought home. Mama always made Missy feel like her efforts had brought out the moon and "plugged in the stars." Missy says that Mama always believed Missy to be "that good" that she was the moon and stars.

Give at least 2 reasons why Hester does not leave the colony in The Scarlet Letter.

The answer to your question can be found in chapter V, titled "Hester at Her Needle".

Hester Prynne certainly could have avoided a lot of problems by simply leaving the village. However, as Hawthorne writes:

Her sin, her ignominy, were the roots which she had struck into the soil.

What these words entail is that her actions, and the consequences of them, have changed Hester so tremendously that she basically was reborn again into another woman. Although this woman has less than an ideal life, it is life nevertheless and Hester felt a moral responsibility to embrace it and live with it. Therefore, that first reason can be attributed to moral responsibility to abide by whatever comes her way. 

The second reason is Dimmesdale. 

another feeling kept her within the scene [...] one with whom she deemed herself connected in a union, that, unrecognized on earth, would bring them together before the bar of final judgment...

Even after the humiliation, the loneliness, and the terrible treatment that Hester has endured from the villagers and the aldermen alike, the fact remains that Hester not only feels love for Dimmesdale, but also a spiritual connection that keeps her bound to him. It is almost unbelievable to the modern reader that Hester would harbor any love inside of her for the man that has left her to suffer in silence for actions committed by the two of them. Moreover, that this man is faking his righteousness and still acts like a man of God makes her connection to him all the more awkward. However, those are exactly the reasons why Hester decides to continue a sad life in the village facing society head on.

What difficulties does Tiresias predict for the journey to come for Odysseus? Why would Odysseus continue, despite the grim prophecies?Based on...

It is common-place to observe that Odysseus is brave, strong, and loyal, but perhaps the most over-looked qualities--two that save him time and again--are his nimble intelligence and his ability to endure.

Odysseus' intelligence is most-often commented upon in the Iliad.  At several crucial points, Odysseus is called upon to think his way out of trouble, and he is referred to at least twice as the equal of Zeus (Jove) in counsel.  At one low point in Greek morale, for example, after the Greeks been soundly beaten by the Trojans and have been pushed back to their ships, Odysseus convinces the army that they are on the path to victory--even though he doesn't quite believe that himself.  In the Odyssey, Odysseus creates the plan that gets himself and his remaining men out of the Cyclops' hands, and even though he foolishly tells Polyphemus his name--after all, he is a proud warrior--he and his men would have been eaten by Polyphemus had not Odysseus devised their rescue.  In this case, cunning triumphed over strength.

Considering that Odysseus survives a 10-year war with Troy and then endures another 10-year voyage home to Ithaca, his power to endure difficulties imposed by nature, man, and gods is, along with his intelligence, perhaps more important than bravery and a desire for glory.  Endurance is not dramatic, and it is only important over a series of episodes and a length of time, but, from the perspective of survival, endurance is paramount.  One can argue that, without his intelligence and ability to endure, no homecoming, no revenge, no re-uniting with Penelope and Telemachus could have occurred.

While it is true that Odysseus is often admired for more dramatic traits, his mind and spirit allowed him to beat both time, distance, men, and gods on his way back to Ithaca.

How has his community managed to keep things organized and under control?

This is a very good question and one that I am not really sure that we know.

We do know one way the community keeps things under control.  That is through "releasing" people who are too much trouble.  That would be a very good way of keeping things controlled because anyone who makes trouble ends up dead.

Another possible thing that is going on is that they have no families and things like that.  So if someone is released, there is really not anyone to miss them.

Finally, I would say that they keep things organized by forcing the Sameness on everyone (though I don't know how they make the weather be the same all the time).  By making everyone be the same, they take away a major source of conflict.

In Antigone, on page 23, what observations are made by the chorus in I.1 & I.2?I can't figure rthis out and this paper is due 01-19-10 please help?

An ancient play such as Antigone has been printed in many different editions, so it's difficult to know exactly which comments of the chorus you are referring to.  I'm going to assume that you're interested in the first two major  appearances of the chorus.

a) The first time the chorus appears, it is to introduce the background to the play's plot.  The Chorus explains that the city of Thebes has just defeated an invasion led by Polynices, who is the son of the Thebean king, Creon.  They describe how Polynices was defeated in hand-to-hand combat by his own brother, Eteocles.  The Chorus encourages the people of Thebes to go to the temples and thank the gods for their victory, and to "dance through the night" to celebrate.

All of this helps us to understand the conversation at the beginning of the play between Antigone and Ismene, the sisters of Polynices and Eteocles.  They discuss how their father, King Creon, has given an "honorable burial" to  Eteocles, the hero of Thebes; regarding Polynices, who is a traitor against his home city of Thebes, the king has decreed that "no one may bury or mourn him, but must see him unlamented,unburied, a sweet find for birds to feast upon."

(It might have seemed logical to us to have had the Chorus come on at the beginning of the play and give the background.  This, however, was never done in ancient Greek plays.  Perhaps it was more interesting to begin the play with the actual characters talking to each other.)

b) The second major appearance by the chorus occurs after a guard has informed Creon that someone (it turns out to be Antigone) has disobeyed the king and buried the body of Eteocles.  In this speech, the Chorus is not so concerned with providing background; rather, it delivers a philosophical observation, which is one of the other common roles of the Chorus in ancient Greek drama.

The Chorus here reflects on the "wondrous" abilities of mankind:

  He rules
with devices the mountain haunts of the wild animal
and tames the shaggy-necked horse
with a yoke on its back
and the tireless mountain bull. 
He taught himself language and wind-like
thought and city-ruling urges,
how to flee the slings of frost
under winter's clear sky
and the arrows of stormy rain, ever-resourceful.
Against no possibility is he at a loss.

Although man has wonderful abilities, he must be careful not to do wrong:

but there is no city [there is no place to escape to] 
for one who participates in what is wrong.

Anyone who disobeys the will of the gods will be punished.

Here also, the Chorus's statement has the additional purpose of introducing the continuation of the play, which describes how Antigone, and others, are punished by the gods for participating in "what is wrong."

How do I give a presentation on "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" in class?

If I had to give a presentation on a poem such as the beautiful "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost, I think I would narrow down the theme to a very specific element and make sure that is presented in the title of my presentation. This would ensure that in trying to cover too much, essential elemnts are skimped over. One theme only would allow me to give Frost's exemplary poetry the thorough and respectful treatment it deserves. If for example, I chose "The effects of silence and stillness" I would work slowly work through the text, picking out effective words,figures of speech,literary devices tone and style that adds to the effect on the reader. I love the idea of night,blackness, the wonderings of the horse, the feathery flakes of snow softly falling without making a sound,the "aloneness" without isolation and so on. You could compare his other poems at the end.

In A Streetcar Named Desire, why is Stanley the best character to tear the paper lantern from the bulb?

Stanley is the only logical choice to commit this act of ultimate revelation.  He alone refuses to buy into Blanche's ruse of youth and beauty, manners and sophistication. 

However, in order to fully understand the importance of his act, one must consider the lantern in earlier scenes.  In Scene 3, Blanche insists that Mitch, one of Stanley's poker buddies, cover up the harsh light from the bedroom's unshaded bulb.  Blanche has marked Mitch for her next beau, and fears that the light will reveal her age and flaws.  Mitch, her willing victim, is more than ready to accept her explanation:  "I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action."  It makes him feel like he is "special" enough for Blanche. 

By Scene 10, the lantern is a crucial component of the rape scene.  Stanley growls:  "I've been on to you from the start!  Not once did you pull any wool over this boy's eyes!  You come in here...and cover the light bulb with a paper lantern and lo and behold...you are the Queen of the Nile!" 

When Blanche, broken and revealed, finally leaves, Stanley has no pity.  When Blanche makes an attempt to come back into the apartment, he bellows:  "You've left nothing here but spilt talcum...unless it's the paper lantern you want."  He rips it off the bulb and Blanche "cries out as if the lantern was herself." 

Describe the setting of the Radley house in To Kill a Mockingbird. What is the Radley place like? (The yards and surrounding yards.)

Chapter one of To Kill a Mockingbird introduces us to the story of Boo Radley. Jem and Scout first encounter Dill Harris and tell him all about Boo. Dill is beyond excited about the idea of Boo. The children plot many ways to see Boo. They are consumed with the idea of Boo. Harper Lee's description of the Radley house is so real, you can almost picture it if you closed your eyes.

The Radley Place jutted into a sharp curve beyond our house. Walking south, one faced its porch; the sidewalk turned and ran beside the lot. The house was low, was once white with a deep front porch and green shutters, but had long ago darkened to the color of the slate-gray yard around it. Rain-rotted shingles drooped over the eaves of the veranda; oak trees kept the sun away. The remains of a picket drunkenly guarded the front yard- a "swept" yard that was never swept- where johnson grass and rabbit-tobacco grew in abundance.

The description of the Radley place fits perfectly with what the children have made Boo out to be. To them, he is the local ghost story in the town. When the story comes full circle the children will realize that the real ghosts are the people they thought they knew, and the heroes might just turn out to be the 'ghosts' they so long ago created.

What are some similarities and differences between King Arthur and Achilles?

This is an interesting question, in that I've not heard it considered before, and, on the surface, the two heroes have little in common.  Let's examine if the two legendary characters (for we have no direct evidence that either of them ever lived) do share any of the same characteristics, and what were the major differences between them.  For example, there is much mystery and magic surrounding Arthur's parentage, while Achilles parentage is entirely known and acknowledged by everyone.

King Arthur becomes the ruler of a kingdom; while Achilles, though the son of a minor king of Greece (Peleus of the Myrmidons), doesn't live long enough to control a kingdom (much less become an overlord, such as Agamemnon).  So Achilles, while a war leader and a prince, so to speak, is not a king like Arthur is.

Achilles is, by all accounts, by far the best warrior on either the Greek or Trojan side in this war.  Arthur, while valiant in battle, certainly, is definitely secondary in martial excellence to Lancelot.  Their importance to their communities is different: Achilles is the best man in battle, but not a leader of the whole army, while Arthur leads not only the Knights of the Round Table, but also the whole of his kingdom.

Arthur (at least in Geoffrey of Monmouth and in Mallory) is a resolutely Christian king (although the historical man he may have been based on may not have been a Christian at all!), imbued with the sacred task of finding the Grail and restoring order to his kingdom and goodness to the world.  Achilles, though the son of a goddess (Thetis) and made supernaturally invulnerable by her (by being dipped in the River Styx) is definitely not representative of any cosmic or religious crusade.  He is simply the best fighter among the Greeks, and his displeasure causes internal drama for his people.  Arthur, at least as most of the stories have evolved, while certainly not perfect, was much less selfish than Achilles is portrayed.

I see little in common between the two characters, but the subject is quite fascinating.  You could draw a parallel that both of the characters, in their cycle of stories (the Iliadand the various Arthurian legends) are the single most important actor. They are really the "main" characters in stories involving many people over a long period of time.  They are both flawed individuals (Achilles, perhaps, more than Arthur, with his stubborn petulance which cost other people's lives) who are, nevertheless, heroes.  They both have martial prowess, but one (Achilles) certainly more than the other.  They both, at least for part of the story, represent virtue in some form to their people.  But as far as I can determine, they are quite different characters (it would be easier to draw parallels between Agamemnon and Arthur, or between Achilles and Lancelot, for example). 

What is the moral of the book "Among the Hidden"?

In the book "Among the Hidden" Luke is a young boy who is born to parents who already have two children.  The law only allows the citizens to have two children.  They put children to death when parents have over three children.

Luke longs to be a part of the real world.  His parents hide him while he watches his brothers go off to school where they live normal lives.  He has to peak from behind curtains and wonder what the outside and life is like.  His parents even have to sneak and grow extra food to share with him because they are only rationed enough for a family of four.

Luke discovers that he is not the only one.  He meets another child who is in hiding.  However, she and her friends are preparing to take a stand over their situation.  When they do they are killed.

What Luke discovers afterwards is that her father was one of the population police, people assigned to monitor and get rid of the extra children.  He had kept his daughter hidden and he wants to help Luke.  He finds him a family and gets some fake papers so he can become a non-hidden and legitimate person.

The moral of this story for me was that "People have to take a stand against things even if the government makes it a law if it is morally inhumane."  I relate this to the Jews who were hidden by the German and others who tried to and succeeded in saving many from the concentration camps and gas chambers.  The risks that some people are willing to take on the behalf of others are great, but they live by their moral laws and code not by the laws and code of the government.

In Lord of the Flies, Why is Jack so enthusiastic about the possibility of creating rules?

One of the many questions that has plagued political thinkers is the question of the legitimacy of power. In most societies, some people  power over others. Some issue commands that others are expected to obey.  The question arises as to what constitute their authority, and here there are many answers. Jack then, is authoritarian man. Like Hitler and Mussolini, he came out of an authoritarian tradition; himself a Satanic figure with his red hair and black cape, he was also the leader of a black-capped and black-cloaked gang that marched in step something dark [that] was fumbling along and followed orders. His was the voice of one who knew his own mind, and when it was suggested that there ought to be a chief he immediately and arrogantly demanded that position for himself. Defeated in an election, he took command of the hunters, the forces of naked power. We'll have rules! he cried excitedly. Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks 'em .”  He creates rules in order to have power over people—rules legitimate his power and gives him reason to exercise it in cruel ways.

How does Devon school change after the death of Finny? Why do you suppose no one accuses Gene of being responsible for what happened to Finny?

After Finny dies, the war truly comes to Devon. Before, while there was heightened military presence around the campus, Gene remained separate from the reality of war. Even Leper's experience is somewhat surreal to him, because Leper's psychological issues keep him from fully communicating his horrors to Gene. However, after Finny's funeral, Gene stands at his window and witnesses Jeeps rolling across the fields. He describes the Far Commons, and how he "watched the war moving in to occupy it." In this novel, Finny represents peace for Gene and the school at large. With his death, peace deserts the campus, leaving Gene to face the true knowledge of war.

Gene explains why he thinks no one accuses him.

None of them ever accused me of being responsible for ... what had happened to Phineas, either because they could not believe it or else because they could not understand it. I would have talked about that, but they would not, and I would not talk about Phineas in any other way.

So Gene says he's willing to talk about Finny's death, but only with regards to his own role in it. Although the boys earlier staged a mock trial blaming Gene for Finny's fall from the tree, perhaps the reality of Finny's death is too much for them, & they cannot begin to understand how Gene may have played a role in it. Also, even if other boys felt Gene was responsible, what would telling him do? There wouldn't be a real trial, & unless they were just looking for closure for themselves, there wouldn't be much point. In fact, Gene himself says there's no reason to discuss what can't be changed.

What was the end of Chapter 9 in Buried Onions?

After having limped his way home after fighting with Angel, Eddie decides that he has no other options but to escape his environment by joining the military. His nina drives him to the Naval recruiting office, and Eddie feels like crying because it seems that he has lost, or is losing, everything that has ever been important to him. Realizing that his tears are futile, Eddie enters the office and finds that Larry the stoner is there too. Eddie thinks wryly that even in trying to escape, he is still surrounded by lowlifes; "it's either homies or stoners."

After awhile, the recruits are loaded in a small van which will take them to Lemoore Naval Air Station. Eddie reflects on the irony that, thought he has joined the Navy, he will be stationed in the desert. Eventually, in the middle of fields which have already been harvested, the van breaks down, and the recruits disembark as they wait in the blistering heat for the CHP to come and rescue them. Eddie sees a car in the distance, and begins walking towards it over the barren fields in the hot sun. He sees two black men gathering what is left after the harvest, and is startled to realize that he recognizes them. As he approaches them, the full burden of his despair weighs down upon him, and he crouches low to the ground, hiding his face in shame. Eddie feels a kinship with the earth and with the men who represent his brothers in suffering humanity. One of the men raises him up and hands Eddie two onions, and Eddie feels his eyes fill with "the last of childhood tears" (Chapter 9).

What in A Separate Peace is compared to the war? Please explain the comparison.

At the end of A Separate Peace Gene (John Knowles) compares life at school to World War II. He says, "I was on active duty all my time at school. I killed my enemy there." Does he mean the enemy was the other boys or something within them?

In 1942, Gene and Finny (Phineas) are roommates at boarding school. Gene is adequately athletic but Phineas is the school's star athlete. Gene harbors some secret feeling of suspicion about Finny's motives in friendship, thinking that perhaps on occasion Finny tries to sabotage Gene's studies. Gene suspects Finny to be as envious of Gene's scholastic abilities as Gene is envious of Finny's athletic prowess. Gene feels inferior to Finny when evidence indicates that Finny respects Gene's studiousness.

Out of these sense of inferiority and its attendant guilt, Gene agrees to go to the river to watch Leper jump from a tree branch into the river. It is here that Finny suggest a double jump to Gene and then Gene for an undisclosed motive--maybe just a childish impulse--jostles the tree branch to cause Finny to lose balance and fall--into the river. But Finny falls to shore and shatters his leg.

At the end of the story, when Finny has died and Gene is going off to war, having no feelings of hatred, and he says that he killed his enemy at school, he also says that he believes the boys at school created something of an enemy between themselves that was built out of their fear. Once Finny died, Gene had to face his guilt and loss and remorse, and since he had lost the symbol of the enemy (Finny) but the enemy remained with him, he concluded that the enemy was the fear the boys felt. Once Gene recognized the enemy was never in the superior qualities or abilities of Finny, he could say that his war had ended before he "ever put on a uniform."

How is blitzball like the snowball fight? How does Brinker take the news from Leper's departure of the army?

Blitzball and the snowball fight have the following similarities:

• Finny created them.


• They end up as an all against one competition.


• They are both a rebellion to the rules.

Brinker isn't shocked that Leper couldn't handle it, but he is shocked by the rebellion of the act that Leper went AWOL (Absent Without Leave). Brinker is always the first to do great things and I think this incident gave him a fresh confidence because he still could be the first from Devon to go be successful at war.

What are some examples of youth versus age in "Romeo and Juliet?"

To me, the best example of youth versus age is in Act II, Scene 3.  In that scene, Friar Lawrence is talking to Romeo for the first time since Romeo has fallen in love with Juliet.

In this scene, Friar Lawrence is trying to talk to Romeo about Romeo's emotions -- he is trying to be a mentor to Romeo.  When he finds out that Romeo has been out all night, he assumes it's with Rosaline.  When he finds out that Romeo is in love again, he starts to try to reason with him.  He cautions him about being hasty -- about falling out of love with Rosaline and back in so easily.

For much of the play, the old are no wiser than they young, but in this scene, we see a classic case of the older and wiser man trying to give advice to they younger one.

What does the speaker find "melancholy" in the Ireland of "A Modest Proposal"?

The answer to this question can be found in the very first line of the essay.  What the author finds melancholy (this word means sad or lamentable) is the extreme poverty of the people of Ireland.

The speaker points out how you cannot go anywhere in Ireland without seeing lots of beggars.  Many of the beggars are women with children.

Because of this, he concludes that there are too many people in Ireland.  He argues (satirically, of course) that the best way to solve this problem is for the Irish to sell their children as food for rich people.

What was the setting (time and place) of the novel, If Beale Street Could Talk, by James Baldwin?

I am pleased to see this book is being read, since it is one of my favorite Baldwins. 

The story takes place in New York City, and I am guessing it takes place in the late sixties or early seventies because Tish's father was coming home from the Korean War when he met her mother. The book was first published in 1974, which is not necessarily a clue, but in this case, probably is.   

So what does that have to do with Beale Street?  This is a street in Memphis, Tennessee.  There still is a Beale Street there, to this day.  Beale Street was particularly important in the Twenties for a few reasons.  This was during Prohibition, and there were a number of speakeasies on the street. There were also gangsters around and about, including Machine Gun Kelly.  This was also a bit of a "red light district," where prostitutes were available. But most important was the music offered at the Beale Street establishments, with world-class musicians playing blues and jazz. There is a famous song called "Beale Street Blues."   

I would say that Baldwin wanted to evoke the idea of the blues of the African-American experience, whether in New York or in Memphis, Tennessee, both as music and as a commentary on the difficult lives of African-Americans.