How did the alliance system that developed in the early 1900s help cause WWI?

There were two main alliance systems: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. These were the primary political relationships leading to the war's early escalation.

The Triple Alliance was formed first, between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. This was one of Otto von Bismarck's early efforts to establish the newly-unified Germany as a strong political entity with clear political avenues, and maximizing its alliances and minimizing the chances of a multi-front war was one of his priorities. The Alliance was drafted as a defensive measure, and this later caused a schism with Italy that led to its failure to abide by the terms of the alliance during the war.

The Triple Entente was the corresponding alliance between Britain, France and Russia, created at least partially in response to the Triple Alliance, and strongly encouraged by the end of hostilities in Asia between Russia and Britain, leading to a renewed focus on European politics. 

While it is sometimes argued that the two alliances "dragged" multiple nations into the war, as if they were forced to do so against their will, when in fact the reasons were more complicated. For example, Britain was more strongly motivated by direct negotiations with Germany over the latter's invasion of Belgium, and to a sense of commitment to France.

In ch.12, Does Ralph understand why he must be killed?; what is the irony of Samneric's behaviour?

The bitter irony of the story’s end is that the smoke the boys use to flush Ralph for the kill is the signal for their rescue. Jack, or perhaps even Roger, unleash their power in order to kill Ralph: the last remaining vestige of civilization. They do not seem to care, or perhaps they do not understand, that what they have done will destroy them all. Like Ralph, Jack is unable to see the other side of his own nature. Ironically, it is Ralph’s vision that is realized when a ship arrives after having spotted their smoke. Ralph knows he will die, even though he may not completely understand the reasons for his death.  The only two truly non-violent people--Simon and Piggy--don't survive the island.

The irony of Samneric's behavior is that they allow Ralph to pass by them through the forest without signaling the others.  They are to "hunt" Ralph like all the other boys, but they recognize that Ralph has been good to them and allow him to pass even though they realize Ralph's death is eminent.

In Hamlet, what is the atmosphere of the court routine that begins in Act I, Scene 2?

The atmosphere is unsettled at best.  Claudius begins with the "happy" announcement of his marriage to Gertrude, praising her beauty and celebrating his position as king.  He speaks lavishly of his love of his wife and his people, including Hamlet.  But then he immediately launches into his concern that Fortinbras will challenge Denmark in war.  At the same time,  Hamlet is moping off to the side, making snide comments to himself and responding with bitter remarks to the loving comments of his uncle and mother.  The audience is left to feel that this is a country - and a family - in turmoil.

how does the fellow traveler undermine goodman browns' faith?

The traveler, the devil, shows Brown that humans have more in common with evil than with goodness.  Notice how as Brown begins his journey, he believes he is destined for heaven.  However, the farther the devil lures him into the woods, the more he undermines Brown's faith.  Whether or not Brown's relatives really were in league with the devil is never clear, but the devil just plants enough seeds of doubt in Brown's mind to shake his faith, which he never really recovers, for he is never able to look at his fellow citizens of Salem the same ever again.

In fact, the devil so completely undermines Brown's faith that he reduces him to the most frightening presence in the woods, despite the devil himself and all those gathered at the black mass.

What does "ready to quarrel over a truffle mean"?Its in Act 2 scene 4 of Romeo and Juliet.

I do not believe that this phrase appears in Romeo and Juliet at all, and I particularly do not think it appears in this scene.

In this scene, the character Peter uses the word "quarrel" but he does not use it in anything like the phrase you mention.

I thought that maybe you were referring to a part in Act III, Scene 1 where Mercutio is telling Benvolio that Benvolio is always ready to quarrel.  Your phrase would fit there, but it's not there.

I would think what the phrase would mean is that the person is ready to fight over any little thing.  It would mean that even more if it were "ready to quarrel over a trifle."

How does Conard uses contrasts to achieve his purpose(s) in Heart of Darkness and The Secret Sharer?

Conrad is a master of dualities, contrasts, foils, doppelgangers paradoxes, oxymorons, and analogies.  In short, every major character has a double and every major element (symbol, theme, image) has a contrasting element.  Also, Conrad infuses his stories with Freud's psychoanalytic theories to show the dualities of human nature.

• light vs. dark


• good vs. evil


• white vs. black


• European civilization/colonialism vs. savage paganism


• soul/heart vs. mind/body


• Kurtz vs. Marlowe


• The Captain vs. Leggatt


• id vs. ego vs. superego


• women vs. men


• children vs. adults


• water vs. land


• sanity vs. insanity


• faith vs. fear


• secrecy vs. sharing


• individual vs. society


• blindness vs. sight

From Heart of Darkness (dualities in bold):

...Soul! If anybody ever struggled with a soul, I am the man. And I wasn't arguing with a lunatic either. Believe me or not, his intelligence was perfectly clear—concentrated, it is true, upon himself with horrible intensity, yet clear; and therein was my only chance—barring, of course, the killing him there and then, which wasn't so good, on account of unavoidable noise. But his soul was mad. Being alone in the wilderness, it had looked within itself, and, by heavens! I tell you, it had gone mad. I had—for my sins, I suppose—to go through the ordeal of looking into it myself. No eloquence could have been so withering to one's belief in mankind as his final burst of sincerity. He struggled with himself, too. I saw it—I heard it. I saw the inconceivable mystery of a soul that knew no restraint, no faith, and no fear, yet struggling blindly with itself. I kept my head pretty well; but when I had him at last stretched on the couch, I wiped my forehead, while my legs shook under me as though I had carried half a ton on my back down that hill. And yet I had only supported him, his bony arm clasped round my neck—and he was not much heavier than a child.

Why do you think Pip stops hating Magwitch and starts to love him?Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

As a bildungsroman Great Expectations by Charles Dickens tells of Pip's different stages in life.  In the Second Stage of the novel, Pip becomes very haughty as he believes himself a gentleman and above associating with Joe and Biddy.  When Magwitch arrives in London as Provis, Pip is repulsed by the crude way that he eats and acts, although he does shelter the old convict. When the old convict relates the history of his life in his poverty and exploitation by Compeyson, Provis looks at Pip with affection, an act that is yet abhorrent to Pip, but he admits, "I had felt great pity for him."

With the realization of the life to which Magwitch has been forced into, Pip begins to perceive that the man is undeserving of condemnation.  That he so loved Pip that he gave his money and risked his life to see the boy made a gentleman, touches Pip.  And, in his maturation, Pip recognizes that he has misjudged Magwitch.  So, as the convict stays with Pip, Pip begins to worry that Compeyson may discover the return to London that Magwitch has made and either report him to the authorities or kill him.  Therefore, out of respect for what Magwitch has done for him, Pip tries to effect an escape for Magwitch.  And, when this escape fails, Pip lovingly tends the man who had but few moments of happiness in his life.  He tells Magwitch--"Dear Magwitch, I must tell you, now, at last--of Estella and comforts the old convict, who dies shortly thereafter:

I thought of the two men who went  into the Temple to pray, and I knew there wer no better words that I could say beside his bed than, o Lord, be merciful to him, a sinner!

Because of the generosity and love of Magwitch, Pip truly learns how to be a gentleman.