Today the need for political reflection is suppressed by the need for action & facts in politics; why is it dangerous to stop thinking?

One instance of a time when action in politics was presented as a need over reflection is the No Child Left Behind law that was passed in merely a few months despite its being many, many pages.  President George Bush was able to convince Ted Kennedy that the bill was worthy; won over, Kennedy gave his support, shephered the bill through the Senate, and the bill was passed.  It was not long after its passage, that Kennedy changed his mind and withdrew his support of this bill--but too late.

This example is used merely to demonstrate how, given the time to read bills and think about all their ramifications may produce different results.  There are many bills that congressmen have voted for without really knowing what is in them.  Scary, indeed.

What are the main themes of Everyman?

One theme is alienation and loneliness. Everyman discovers that when he faces death and God's judgment, he must do so alone.

Another theme is atonement and forgiveness. Everyman seeks atonement for his sins and then is given God's forgiveness for his sins.

Everyman also discovers that earthly friends and family will ultimately betray you because they are selfish. Everyman is forced to look for greater truths when he's abandoned by others.

Everyman isn't prepared to go with death to meet God, and he asks for extra time to get ready. He uses this time to look at how he's spent his life.

The importance of God and religion is also shown. Religion provides the way to get God's salvation.

It's believed that good deeds will get a person to heaven. Family, friends, or any earthly possessions aren't important.

Knowledge gives Everyman the help he needs to recognize and understand how he has sinned. This knowledge leads him to confession and salvation.

Sin is the main theme of the play. Sin causes man to stray from God, and he must renounce his sins in order to be saved. 

For more details, go to the link below.

What are some examples of symbolism in The Kite Runner?

I think that there are many examples of symbolism in the Kite Runner.

1- The kite represents the freedom and bonding of Amir and Hassan, both at the beginning and end of the book.

2- The slingshot represents devotion. In the beginning, Hassan used it to stand up to Assef in the alley, and then at the end, Hassan's son Sohrab used it to protect Amir against Assef after returning to Afghanistan.

3- Assef's brass knuckles represent fear. Everytime that Assef would come up to Hassan or Amir, he would have his hands up and be ready to fight them. In the end, this is really in effect. This happens when Assef beats up Amir when he comes back to Afghanistan.

4- The Ford car given to Amir by Baba symbolizes their changing relationship.

What is the complication in Maupassant's "The Necklace" that sets up the conflict?

The complication that causes the conflict in "The Necklace" is for Madame Loisel to find the things in life that will make her fit into a higher social class.  This is based on material things.  In her mind she feels that she was deprived the life of a socialite and that she deserves to have whatever it takes to get her there.  Mr. Loisel begins to take her on this journey by getting her a ticket to a very prestigious event that only "the  finest" are invited to.  Once she has the invitation, she now pouts because she has nothing to wear.  When  her husband gives her the money, he has been saving for a rifle, it still is not enough.  She then complains that she has no jewelry to wear, so her husband tells her to ask her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, to borrow a bauble to wear.  Based on these three problems, the conflict is set.  From the time she borrows the necklace, to the end of the story, her life is all downhill, reducing her to a lower social class than when she started. It just goes to show you, be happy with what you have because the grass isn't always greener on the other side. 

Reference:  The Literature and Language Book by McDougal Littell

Did Jonas die in The Giver?

Karen MacPherson, writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, includes further quotes from author Lois Lowry as to why she succumbed to readers who loved “The Giver” but hated the ending.  The book ends on an ambiguous note, as Lowry leaves it up to readers to decide what happens to Jonas. "I saw it as an optimistic ending. I didn't feel the need to further explain it, or go on with a sequel," Lowry said. "What I like about provocative books in general is that they allow readers to bring their own beliefs, political as well as religious, to the fiction, to fit, to find the symbolism." But she also received a torrent of complaints from readers, both children and adults, who wanted her to write a sequel. Although she was at first adamantly opposed to the idea, Lowry eventually decided to do a companion book, in which readers get a sense -- however vague -- of how Jonas ended up. "Now, I don't generally cater to the reading public's whims and wishes. But their reaction affected me, I think, in that it made me want to sort out things for myself," Lowry said. ("Lois Lowry’s Newberry-winning ‘Giver’ still ignites debate”).

The undeniable proof that Jonas and Gabrielle survived their ordeal is revealed in Los Lowry’s third book in “The Giver” trilogy, “The Messenger.” The following are excerpts from that book: In the schoolhouse, Mentor, the schoolteacher, gently tutored a mischievous eight-year-old named Gabe, who had neglected his studies to play and now needed help. (Lowry 17).

From a window, the tall young man known as Leader looked down and watched the slow and cheerful pace of Village, of the people he loved, who had chosen him to rule and guard them. He had come here as a boy, finding his way with great difficulty. The Museum held the remains of a broken sled in a glass case, and the inscription explained that it had been Leader's arrival vehicle. There were many relics of arrival in the Museum, because each person who had not been born in Village had his own story of coming there. (18).

What does Winston find out about The Book?

When Winston goes to the meeting at O'Brien's apartment, he learns a lot of things about the book.  For one thing, he gets a copy of the book itself.  He reads it and learns what it says.  So any of the things it says could potentially be the answer.

Two other things that he learns could include:

• He learns that the book actually exists.  People in general do not know if the book actually exists, but now he knows that it does.


• He learns that the book is "nearly indestructible."  O'Brien says that people could reproduce the book from memory if all the copies were destroyed.

How do we use salt, aluminium and wax paper in everyday life

Salt is utilized to enhance flavor in food.  Salt is also a vital mineral that is needed by our bodies for proper functioning.  Being a primary electrolyte, without salt the water content of our bodies would be out of balance. Salt also impacts blood pressure, and bone density. Salt is utilized in winter climates to assist with snow melting.

Aluminium which is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust is utilized daily in many ways. As with salt, aluminum is utilized in cooking due to its conductivity. It is also utilized in car manufacturing, packaging, and construction. 

Wax paper is utilized in cooking to prevent food from sticking to surfaces and to insulate and steam food products (i.e. fish).  It can also be utilized in as a container for food due to its water replent nature.