Three days after his liberation, Elie Wiesel becomes very ill with food poisoning, hovering "between life and death." Why is this ironic?

To have survived all that he has survived - the death camps, the malnourishment, the horrible conditions, the death march, only to have his life threatened after he is liberated is certainly ironic.  The idea of hovering between life and death, as quoted, is also an ironic thought in that Elie has been there for years, under the Nazi regime in the concentration camps, and now finds himself near death from a relatively simple medical condition.

Add to this the idea that he went without food so often, and for so long - that malnourishment was one of his biggest threats in captivity - and yet in the end, food itself, consumed after liberation, nearly took his life.  There is a lot of irony in Elie Wiesel's story.

What are the differences between French and English theaters during the 17th century?

In France the theatre was a center of social hovering because, at that time, the Kingdom of Louis XIV had brought so much patronage to the arts, and so many riches to the country (not to mention fame, class, and style) that more artists were able to expand their talents. The main plays came from Moliere, Racine, and Corliere. They contributed to a shift from tragedy/comedy to play drama. The tragedie Burgosie, which dealt with popular issues rather than just the aristocracy, began to grow as well as the popularity of attending these plays.

In England the situation was different due to the Interregnum, or the Puritan rule, which banned and closed theatres. After this ended and they were reinstated, females began to appear on stage (actual women acting). Charles II, as he reinstated the monarchy gave ample license for theatricals to be open-minded, and even sexually racy. He, himself had 7 mistresses and over 15 illegitimate children, so this was not a problem. Restoration theatre then was an outlet for the repression brought in by the Cromwell/antimonarchic rule, and was a way to allow the works of Marlowe, Johnson, Shakespear, and others to come to life again.

Did Billie Jo's mother die in Out of the Dust?

Billy Jo's mother did indeed die. In the section entitled "Devoured," dated August 1934, Billy Jo wrote,

"Ma died that day

giving birth to my brother."

Ma had been burned in a terrible accident, which is described in a previous section written in July 1934. Daddy had put a pail of kerosene near the stove, and Ma, thinking it was water, reached for it, pouring the contents into a pot on the stove where she was making coffee. The kerosene ignited, making "a rope of fire," and as Ma ran outside, the entire pail burst into flames. Thinking to help, Billy Jo grabbed the pail and threw its fiery contents out the door, not realizing that Ma was returning to the house just at that moment. Ma was doused with the flaming kerosene, and Billy Jo tried desperately to put out the flames with her hands.

There was no sophisticated care for burn victims in those days. Daddy and Doc Rice could do no more than lay Ma in bed with a sheet made into a tent over her so that it would not touch her scorched skin. Due to deliver her baby at any time, Ma lay in agony for days, and her family could do little for her other than try to squeeze a little water between her parched lips to ease her thirst. Unable to handle the situation, Daddy took the little money they had saved and went out and got drunk, leaving Billie Jo to tend to her mother as best she could. When the baby came, Doc Rice was there to deliver him, but Ma died in childbirth, and the baby died soon after.

In Great Expecations, why does Orlick lure Pip to the sluice house, and what does Orlick know about Provis?

Orlick has a longstanding grudge against Pip.  Pip is the reason for Orlick losing his job at Miss Havisham's; Orlick thought that he had a chance with Biddy and that Pip cost him that relationship, and Orlick knows that Pip suspects him of severely beating Mrs. Joe. After years of waiting for an opportunity to get revenge upon Pip, Orlick finds a way to get to Pip--he knows the truth about the convict (Magwitch/Provis).  He sends Pip an anonymous note that mentions his "Uncle Provis," and Pip feels that he must investigate because the note has Magwitch's real name on it, and therefore, could prevent Provis from making his escape (from Compeyson and the authorities).

So, a rather unsuspecting Pip goes to the sluice house and is attacked and tied up by Orlick.  All looks bleak for Pip until in true Dickensian coincidental fashion, Herbert shows up with help and defeats Orlick all while setting Pip free. It seems that Pip had dropped the mysterious note from Orlick, and that is how Herbert knew where to find him.

How does harrison rebel against the laws of 2081? Who is Diana Moon Glampers?

It's been a little while since I've read Vonnegut's "Harisson Bergeron," but since no one has helped you out yet I'll try to give you the information you need.  Harrison rebels against the system that would force everyone to be equal.  He rebels by breaking out of jail, declaring himself emperor, taking off his handicaps, and taking a woman for his own.  If I remember correctly this all takes place on live TV, which of course really angers the leaders of any totalitarian-like society. 

Diana Moon Glampers is one of these leaders, and she is the one who puts an end to Harisson's rebellion--by shooting him and his girl.  I hope this helps.

May I have an example of verbal irony and symbolism in Of Mice and Men, chapter 4

One of the key symbols in this book that comes up again in Chapter 4 is the dream of owning a patch of land and living "on the fatta the lan'." This key image recurrs throughout the story and seduces not only George and Lennie but other characters too, such as Candy and Crooks. It is such an important symbol beause it symbolises dreams, freedom and independence in an otherwise cruel world.

Verbal irony is saying the opposite of what you really mean. We see an example of this when Candy enters Crooks' room and Crooks says:

"Come on in. If ever'body's comin' in, you might just as well."

Clearly this is ironic because Crooks is fiercely possessive of his space and does not like others invading it. On the other hand, inspite of the tone of voice, he is lonely and therefore wants company.

What is Danforth's conflict with Hale in The Crucible? What is his conflict with society? What is his internal conflict?

Danforth brought Hale, an expert on the devil and witchcraft and a minister, to help to determine if there has been the devil's work in the community.  Danforth expects that Reverend Hale will support all his own findings.  However, after the Reverend has had a chance to witness what has been happening in the community, he has come to realize that there is no devil’s work but the superstitions of people.  Danforth refuses to accept Hale’s conclusions.

Hale then begins to visit the prisoners and pray with them.  He wants them to lie so they will be freed instead of hung for crimes they did not commit.  Danforth’s dilemma is to try and combat the concerns that he has convicted too many people.  The citizens have become concerned that it has gotten out of hand.  He is committed to his belief that he is making the right decisions by God, when in fact he has been the assistant to evil and injustice.