Comment on the author's use of the word "mason".

Edgar Allan Poe's playful use of the word "mason" in his short story, "The Cask of Amontillado," is one of my favorite double meanings in all literature. During their trek into the catacombs, Fortunato asks Montressor if he is "of the brotherhood." When Montressor fails to understand, Fortunato asks if he is a Mason--a Free Mason (the mysterious and ancient fraternal organization). Montressor replies that he is. Fortunato asks for a password sign, and when he does, Montressor produces a trowel. Fortunato thinks Montressor is jesting, but for Montressor, it is his sign of masonry; the trowel, a mason's (bricklayer's) tool, will soon be used to seal Fortunato within the walls.

Why did Americans take and increased interest in the environment during the 1970s? How did government respond?

The short answer is that it became impossible to ignore.  Decades of largely unrestricted pesticide use (DDT in particular), industrial pollution, fish kills in rivers and streams and lakes, contaminated groundwater and "cancer clusters" near industrial sites made the news repeatedly and continually.  This sensitized and convinced the public that environmental protection was necessary.

This was true even in the early 1970s, as most people don't remember that Richard Nixon signed the Clean Air and Water Act, perhaps the most important environmental legislation to date.  It had an almost immediate positive effect on air and water quality.

Not realizing that something a friend told you was in confidence, you share the info with 2 other friends. Your friend is mad that everyone knows...

In general being truthful is the best option morally, ethically, and I believe even practically. But being truthful does not mean going about broadcasting truthful information to all and sundry. There must be a purpose in disclosing even the truth.

In this particular case, there appears to be good case for disclosing the truth. This is to prevent the relationship between your friend and someone else becoming soured. I assume that this will have negative consequences for both of them. If you can help them retain good relationship, why not do it? The other side of the issue is the possible blame you will face for having betrayed your friend. I believe that should not come in way of truth for several reasons. First if it was a genuine mistake on your part you should be able to explain it to your friend. Second your friendship might actually improve if your friend sees that you are truthful with him or her and are concerned about his or her relationship with others. Finally, if the friend is unreasonable and insist on blames you without justification, you need to examine the worth of such friendship.

Please list and explain the main themes of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Shakespeare's Hamlet contains numerous themes.  The play treats the issue of good vs. evil and the nature of evil.  Regicide contributes to this theme.  The justness of tyrannicide, Claudius's short-term guilt, the far-reaching effects of an evil act all contribute to this idea.

Death, of course, is everywhere in Hamlet.  Corpse-eating worms, skulls, suicide, death by sword, death by execution, death by poisoning all appear. 

Connected to death is rottenness, literal and figurative.  Rotten bodies are described, and something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

The theme of seeming, the difference between appearance and reality, is also present.  Is the ghost a ghost or a deceiving demon?  Hamlet seems sad over his father's death, says Gertrude, and Hamlet retorts that he doesn't seem sad, he is. 

Melancholy and madness, revenge, chance and happenstance, of course, are also some of the themes present in Hamlet.

What does the lecturer Dr. Rasul tell Amir about his mother? Can you give me a detailed answer please and thankyou!I need everything Amir learned...

Dr. Rasul is an old man, begging on the street, when Amir encounters him. Amir learns that Dr. Rasul taught at the same university as Amir's mother, Sofia Akrami. Dr. tells Amir that they often sat and talked after class. He relates that on the last day they did this, they shared

...a marvelous slice of almond cake....with hot tea and honey (250).

Amir learns she was pregnant on that day, with Amir, and very beautiful, and that she told Dr. Rasul that she was afraid because she was

....so profoundly happy....They only let you be this happy if they're preparing to take something from you (250).  

Of course, Amir knows that she will die in childbirth, having him, after having said this. But he is grateful to Dr. Rasul for having had this small glimpse of his mother.  He makes Dr. Rasul promise to try to remember more, but sadly, he never sees Dr. Rasul again. 

What are the themes of Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Gold Bug"?There's not much that I notice about themes throughout this short story. Poe...

I like to challenge my students with the following:

"The Gold Bug" (or whatever story/poem) is a story/poem about ______________ (fill in the blank).

There are usually several things you can plug into the blank. All stories and poems have more than one theme, although most are fairly obvious.

The Gold Bug is a story about adventure, mystery, superstition, hidden treasure, friendship, greed.  Try it yourself and see what else you come up with as far as themes you see.

Find the direct statment in which Edwards sets forth the purpose of his sermon.

Here is the most direct statement I can find in the entire sermon in terms of specifically stating his purpose:

I am dwelling on this awful subject so that unsaved people in this congregation might be awakened.

As you may know, this sermon is studied because of its great metaphors, similes, persuasive techniques and ability to demonstrate the Puritan belief system. The entire sermon demostrates the wrath and grace of God. About 90% focuses on wrath, 10% on grace at the end. He does a great job demonstrating people are not much on their own until they accept Christ, then all is forgiven.

Here's another pretty direct statement as a good second place for you:

How awful is the condition of those who are daily and hourly in danger of this great wrath and infinite misery. But this is the dismal case of every soul in this congregation that has not been born again, however moral and strict, sober and religious they otherwise might be.

Hope that helps.