Help Notes

Macduff is important to the plot because he is the one who eventually kills Macbeth. His family is important because Macbeth sent the murderers that killed Macduff's family. This was one of Macduff's motivations to fight Macbeth. Macbeth believed Macduff suspected Macbeth had killed Duncan. By this time, Macbeth was getting very paranoid. With hired murderers, Macbeth killed Banquo and tried to kill Banquo's son Fleance. Macbeth did not stop there. He sent the assassins to the Macduff house, where they killed his family. When Macduff finds out, he is overcome with grief. He tells Malcolm, who tells him that he needs to be a man. MACDUFF … All my pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? What, all my pretty chickens and their dam At one fell swoop? MALCOLM Dispute it like a man. MACDUFF I shall do so; But I must also feel it as a man: I cannot but remember such things were, That were most precious to me (Act 4, Scene 3).  Basically, Malcolm is telling Macduff that inst...

Fitzgerald weaves sports into his novel to help characterize Tom Buchanan and Jordan, as well as to delineate class. Nick Carraway dislikes Tom and uses sports to deliver one of the more famous digs in the novel. He says that Tom's glory days were in college as a football player and it has been all downhill for him since. He was one of the "most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven" but had achieved "such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one that everything afterward savors of anti-climax."  Nick illustrates that Tom is "enormously wealthy" by noting that he brought "a string of polo ponies down from Lake Forest." It's hard for Nick to imagine that somebody of his generation has enough money to do that. The polo ponies--and riding in general--show how far up Tom is on the "old money" class ladder. Riding and polo playing are the upper crust sports in this novel. This is made clear in the excruciating scene w...

Quite a bit!  After he blinds Polyphemus, the Cyclops son of Poseidon, lord of the seas, his journey by sea becomes much more difficult.  For example, at one point, Aeolus, the keeper of the winds, gives Odysseus a bag containing all of the winds except the one Odysseus needs to blow him back to Ithaca.  However, with home in sight, Odysseus falls asleep and his men open the bag, thinking it might contain some treasure. ... Quite a bit!  After he blinds Polyphemus, the Cyclops son of Poseidon, lord of the seas, his journey by sea becomes much more difficult.  For example, at one point, Aeolus, the keeper of the winds, gives Odysseus a bag containing all of the winds except the one Odysseus needs to blow him back to Ithaca.  However, with home in sight, Odysseus falls asleep and his men open the bag, thinking it might contain some treasure.  The winds escape, and their ship is blown all the way back to Aeolia.  Aeolus, understanding that some powerful god is working against Odysseus, wi...

I think the best way to defend your client, the narrator of this story, is to argue he is insane. The narrator is so afraid of death that it has driven him mad. In the first line, the narrator says, "very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?" Whoever this "you" is decided the narrator is insane, and so he cannot be found guilty because he... I think the best way to defend your client, the narrator of this story, is to argue he is insane. The narrator is so afraid of death that it has driven him mad. In the first line, the narrator says, "very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?" Whoever this "you" is decided the narrator is insane, and so he cannot be found guilty because he is incapable of properly understanding both his own actions and the world around him.  The narrator's obsession with time—at what time he does something, how long it takes to do somethi...

This statement follows a difficult argument between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth becomes very angry with her husband when Macbeth says he does not want to move forward with their plan to kill Duncan (1.7.34). Lady Macbeth proceeds to try all manner of insults and manipulation to coerce Macbeth to recommit to their plan, including wounding his ego by insulting his masculinity and implying he is disloyal to her. She calls Macbeth a "coward"... This statement follows a difficult argument between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth becomes very angry with her husband when Macbeth says he does not want to move forward with their plan to kill Duncan (1.7.34). Lady Macbeth proceeds to try all manner of insults and manipulation to coerce Macbeth to recommit to their plan, including wounding his ego by insulting his masculinity and implying he is disloyal to her. She calls Macbeth a "coward" and claims he lacks courage. Lady Macbeth also says she would kill her ...

The characters in Lord of the Flies illustrate that a good leader puts the needs of the group ahead of his personal desires and respects his followers. One could develop this thesis by asking: 1. What negative qualities of good leadership does Jack display? 2. Why is Piggy not a good leader despite his intelligence? 3. What makes Ralph a good leader?  To discuss the things that make Jack a poor leader, you can refer to his constant desire for acclaim, the way he puts his own desires above the needs of the group, and his disrespect for his followers. He gets angry when he's not in charge--which causes him to storm away after the boys fail to vote against Ralph in chapter 8. He lets the signal fire go out in order to kill the pig. At one point, in chapter 6, he tries to stifle the free speech rights of the other boys. And, of course, he uses theft and violence against the others. Piggy is highly intelligent, which you can prove from the beginning in chapter 1 and from Ralph's st...

One such moment occurs in Act 1, scene 1, when Horatio and Barnardo discuss young Fortinbras of Norway. Horatio provides some exposition about old king Hamlet's having won some land from old king Fortinbras. Now, however, "young Fortinbras, / Of unimproved mettle hot and full, / Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there / Sharked up a list of lawless resolutes [...] / [...] to recover of us, by strong hand / And... One such moment occurs in Act 1, scene 1, when Horatio and Barnardo discuss young Fortinbras of Norway. Horatio provides some exposition about old king Hamlet's having won some land from old king Fortinbras. Now, however, "young Fortinbras, / Of unimproved mettle hot and full, / Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there / Sharked up a list of lawless resolutes [...] / [...] to recover of us, by strong hand / And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands / So by his father lost" (1.1.107-116). This son responds quickly and decisively to a perceived l...

Friar Laurence is a priest (a Friar is another term for a Catholic holy man) and not labeled as a doctor in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet . It is likely, however, that, like other religious men of his day, he dabbled in chemistry and the creation of herbal mixtures like the one he gives Juliet. Science was often a natural pastime of religious men who were prohibited from marrying and raising a family. Some of... Friar Laurence is a priest (a Friar is another term for a Catholic holy man) and not labeled as a doctor in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet . It is likely, however, that, like other religious men of his day, he dabbled in chemistry and the creation of herbal mixtures like the one he gives Juliet. Science was often a natural pastime of religious men who were prohibited from marrying and raising a family. Some of the greatest scientists in history, including Albertus Magnus (described the qualities of arsenic), Gregor Mendel (genetics), and Roger Bacon (scientific method)...

Bradbury uses vivid sensory detail in this short story to describe the African veldt that the children watch on the viewscreens in their nursery. These details paint the picture of a savage, dehumanized world and create a sense of foreboding that foreshadows the ending. Bradbury uses unpleasant, harsh imagery to depict the veldt. It is so hot that the landscape is "baked," and the parents smell the "rusty" odor of the animals and the smell... Bradbury uses vivid sensory detail in this short story to describe the African veldt that the children watch on the viewscreens in their nursery. These details paint the picture of a savage, dehumanized world and create a sense of foreboding that foreshadows the ending. Bradbury uses unpleasant, harsh imagery to depict the veldt. It is so hot that the landscape is "baked," and the parents smell the "rusty" odor of the animals and the smell of dust like "red paprika" in the hot air. All of this buil...

One the face of it, these would seem to be very different poems. “Astronomer” is a poem about how nature and intuition is superior to academic knowledge; “I Hear America Singing” is a celebration of American labor, a poem in which Whitman embraces the everyday; “O Captain” of course is the famous elegy for Abraham Lincoln, represented by the beloved captain, who, after guiding the “ship” of the United States through the storm, has fallen... One the face of it, these would seem to be very different poems. “Astronomer” is a poem about how nature and intuition is superior to academic knowledge; “I Hear America Singing” is a celebration of American labor, a poem in which Whitman embraces the everyday; “O Captain” of course is the famous elegy for Abraham Lincoln, represented by the beloved captain, who, after guiding the “ship” of the United States through the storm, has fallen before the victory can be celebrated. The tones of the poems are very different as well. In “Astronomer” the poet...

According to Swell Wright’s Synthetic Theory, evolution of a population takes place when changes in their allele (gene) frequencies occur and the population moves to a higher adaptive level in that particular ecological area. A simple way of explaining this relationship between populations, their alleles and evolution was described by Philip McClean in his publication ‘Population and Evolutionary Genetics’ in 1997 (see resource link). McClean referred to a population of peppered moth which existed in... According to Swell Wright’s Synthetic Theory, evolution of a population takes place when changes in their allele (gene) frequencies occur and the population moves to a higher adaptive level in that particular ecological area. A simple way of explaining this relationship between populations, their alleles and evolution was described by Philip McClean in his publication ‘Population and Evolutionary Genetics’ in 1997 (see resource link). McClean referred to a population of peppered moth wh...

Shakespeare introduces the character of Lady Macbeth by allowing the audience to see her private response to Macbeth's news via letter in Act I, Scene 5. We know we are glimpsing into the very soul of the character because she is alone when she learns of the prophecies her husband received from the Weird Sisters. While it took Macbeth some time to consider violence, Lady Macbeth immediately jumps to the idea that they should kill Duncan to hasten the prophecy along. She says, Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be What thou art promised.  Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way (I.5.15-18). In other words, Lady Macbeth is sure Macbeth will fulfill the prophecy eventually, but fears he is too loyal and compassionate to take the fastest route to the throne: murdering the one who currently sits on it. Further, Lady Macbeth's private response to the news that Duncan is on his way to their castle shows her ambition a...

King Ozymandias, who had a huge statue built of himself, was claiming to be the greatest of kings. In the ancient world, kingdoms were typically very small.  Most kings were what we would today call local warlords.  It was possible for one king from a larger civilization to conquer many other kings of smaller kingdoms, building an empire.  He would then be greatest king, ruling over the small-scale kings, literally a "king of kings."  When... King Ozymandias, who had a huge statue built of himself, was claiming to be the greatest of kings. In the ancient world, kingdoms were typically very small.  Most kings were what we would today call local warlords.  It was possible for one king from a larger civilization to conquer many other kings of smaller kingdoms, building an empire.  He would then be greatest king, ruling over the small-scale kings, literally a "king of kings."  When an empire-building king did conquer a foreign city or kingdom, it was not unusual for h...

I would have to say that the answer to this question is that these areas do not offer relief to the world population growth mentioned in this scenario.  There is a reason that these areas of the world are on populated:  they are not ideal for human habitation.  If they are geographically habitable, they are being used for purposes that support the population, especially agriculture (like the areas in the middle of the United States.)... I would have to say that the answer to this question is that these areas do not offer relief to the world population growth mentioned in this scenario.  There is a reason that these areas of the world are on populated:  they are not ideal for human habitation.  If they are geographically habitable, they are being used for purposes that support the population, especially agriculture (like the areas in the middle of the United States.)  I have attached a map to your question as a reference for the rest of the answer. You can tell by the map that humans li...

Humility and its antithesis, arrogance , are two lessons Scout and Jem learn in chapters 12 and 13 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird . Scout and Jem learn a lesson in humility from Calpurnia the day she brings them to church with her when their father is out of town. Walking home from church, Jem notes that Calpurnia does not speak the way the rest of the African Americans speak when she is with them at the Finch household; instead, she speaks with proper grammar. However, the children also noticed that while she was at the church speaking with her fellow African Americans, she used the same slang and dialect they use. When Scout and Jem want to know why she speaks "nigger-talk to the--to your folks" when she knows how to speak grammatically, Calpurnia's response gives them a lesson in humility. First, she explains that she would seem out of place if she "talked white-folks' talk at church, and with [her] neighbors." Second, and more importantly, s...

Satire is employed in Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" in order to expose the ridiculous idea that people can ever be made truly equal. Vonnegut's satire is developed through the use of humor, exaggeration, and the three types of irony: verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony. The opening sentence of "Harrison Bergeron" contains verbal irony : "The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal." This statement is ironic because the author states that there is... Satire is employed in Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" in order to expose the ridiculous idea that people can ever be made truly equal. Vonnegut's satire is developed through the use of humor, exaggeration, and the three types of irony: verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony. The opening sentence of "Harrison Bergeron" contains verbal irony : "The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal." This statement is ironic b...

An excellent question, since this was a trenchant debate between some of the towering figures of early America. America's third President, Thomas Jefferson, held the view that America should be a nation of small, self-sufficient farmers, stating "Those who labour in the Earth are the chosen people of God." Jefferson and others who shared his views believed small farmers discouraged the concentration of people into large cities, where dependence and all manner of vice purportedly flourished.... An excellent question, since this was a trenchant debate between some of the towering figures of early America. America's third President, Thomas Jefferson, held the view that America should be a nation of small, self-sufficient farmers, stating "Those who labour in the Earth are the chosen people of God." Jefferson and others who shared his views believed small farmers discouraged the concentration of people into large cities, where dependence and all manner of vice p...

The supply of loanable funds comes from two things: Savings, and fractional-reserve banking. When people save money in banks, that money is available to be loaned. But this is relatively unimportant actually; what matters is instead the money created by banks using that saved money as reserves. About 90% of the money supply loaned by banks is created by the banking system, not originally from savings. The ratio between money supply and reserves is called the money multiplier , and it is capped by the reserve requirement set by the government. So, there are essentially two ways for the government to increase the supply of loanable funds; they could either find a way to increase the amount of money saved, or they could increase the money multiplier. The former can be done by various means; one of the most successful has been Save More Tomorrow, a system based on insights from cognitive economics that makes it the default to save a portion of your increases in pay over time---by making it...

There is plenty of verbal irony in the encounter between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Grimesby Roylott right after Roylott's stepdaughter Helen Stoner has departed for home. Roylott tries to intimidate Holmes into telling him why Helen came to Baker Street and what she told him. Holmes is characteristically fearless and frigidly polite. His replies to Roylott are ironic because he is saying the opposite of what he is thinking. For example: “I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran.” “Indeed, Doctor,” said Holmes blandly. “Pray take a seat.” “I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?” “It is a little cold for the time of the year,” said Holmes. “What has she been saying to you?” screamed the old man furiously. “But I have heard that the crocuses promise well,” continued my companion imperturbably. The author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, probably had a special purpose for having some of Holmes' ironic replies deal wi...

In Antigone , Creon decided that Antigone, as punishment for burying her brother, Polynices, would be entombed alive. Creon ordered that Antigone be sealed in a cave with food, as he claimed was the custom. After sentencing Antigone, Creon told the guards: You know your orders: take her to the vault and leave her alone there. And if she lives or dies, that’s her affair, not ours: our hands are clean. His intention was to... In Antigone , Creon decided that Antigone, as punishment for burying her brother, Polynices, would be entombed alive. Creon ordered that Antigone be sealed in a cave with food, as he claimed was the custom. After sentencing Antigone, Creon told the guards: You know your orders: take her to the vault and leave her alone there. And if she lives or dies, that’s her affair, not ours: our hands are clean. His intention was to remove Antigone from Theban society and condemn her to certain death by sealing her in a cave with a limited amount of food; however, he believed t...

Niccolo Machiavelli was a 15-16th century Italian political philosopher who helped lay the foundation for modern political theory. Although he published many works, his most famous was  The Prince . In  The Prince , Machiavelli provided rulers with a "handbook" for how to successfully govern their domains and maintain power. The book's emphasis on power politics was quite controversial. For example, Machiavelli declared that: Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must... Niccolo Machiavelli was a 15-16th century Italian political philosopher who helped lay the foundation for modern political theory. Although he published many works, his most famous was  The Prince . In  The Prince , Machiavelli provided rulers with a "handbook" for how to successfully govern their domains and maintain power. The book's emphasis on power politics was quite controversial. For example, Machiavelli declared that: Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if w...

The safest place to be during an earthquake is wherever the earthquake is not! However, if you are in an area experiencing seismic activity, there are some things to consider in determining the safest place for you to be. First, if you are outside, stay outside and stay away from buildings or man-made structures until the quaking passes. This will help you to avoid being injured by a collapse or the resulting debris. Try to stay clear of trees and power-lines as well. If you are inside, stay inside, and try to follow the three-step saying: "drop, cover, and hold on." Drop down onto your hands and knees and seek shelter under a table or desk. Hold on tight to the legs of the table or desk and stay there until quaking passes. Do not stand in a doorway! If you do not have access to a table or desk, try to kneel or lie against an interior wall. Exterior walls (those which have a side facing outdoors) are more likely to crumble or collapse during an earthquake, so avoid seeking sh...

Zusak presents Hitler's efforts to indoctrinate German youth by writing scenes surrounding historical events such as book burning bonfires, forcing the boys to join the Hitler Youth, and peer pressure to hate Jews. First, from Part Two in the section entitled "100 Percent Pure German Sweat," Liesel attends the town's bonfire where books unsympathetic to Hitler's cause are destroyed. Men, women, and children are all invited to the event, which starts out with a parade of... Zusak presents Hitler's efforts to indoctrinate German youth by writing scenes surrounding historical events such as book burning bonfires, forcing the boys to join the Hitler Youth, and peer pressure to hate Jews. First, from Part Two in the section entitled "100 Percent Pure German Sweat," Liesel attends the town's bonfire where books unsympathetic to Hitler's cause are destroyed. Men, women, and children are all invited to the event, which starts out with a parade of the...

When the Weird Sisters say that "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," they mean that things that seem good could really be bad, and things that seem bad things could really be good (1.1.12).  Macbeth recalls this motif when he says, "So foul and fair a day I have not seen" (1.3.39).  In one sense, the day has been foul because he has been involved in bloody battles; in another sense, it's been fair because his forces have prevailed.   Then, when the Weird Sisters approach him with their prophecies, their words seem quite good, predicting a noble future for Macbeth; however, Banquo cautions him that "oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths, / Win us with honest trifles, to betray 's / In deepest consequence" (1.3.135-138).   Banquo doubts the motives of the witches, and he believes that they might be trying to appear honest in order to mask their manipulative intent and draw Macbeth and Banquo into cementing their...

In Act Two, John Proctor seems to most want his wife to trust him.  He had an affair with Abigail Williams that ended some seven months ago when Elizabeth suspected it, confronted John, and dismissed her from their employ.  Now, John says that he had been alone with Abigail "For a moment" in town, when he'd earlier told Elizabeth that he'd only seen her in the company of others.  She calls him out for the... In Act Two, John Proctor seems to most want his wife to trust him.  He had an affair with Abigail Williams that ended some seven months ago when Elizabeth suspected it, confronted John, and dismissed her from their employ.  Now, John says that he had been alone with Abigail "For a moment" in town, when he'd earlier told Elizabeth that he'd only seen her in the company of others.  She calls him out for the discrepancy, and he angers and tells her, "I'll not have your suspicion any more."  She replies that if he does not want her to b...

These three actions occur in the closing pages of Animal Farm and are all out carried out by Napoleon during a conversation with Mr. Pilkington. For Napoleon, displaying Old Major's skull and referring to each other as "Comrade" represent nothing more than "strange" customs which ought to be "suppressed." Furthermore, Napoleon also changes the name of Animal Farm back to Manor Farm, its name under Mr Jones: Henceforward the name was to be known as... These three actions occur in the closing pages of Animal Farm and are all out carried out by Napoleon during a conversation with Mr. Pilkington. For Napoleon, displaying Old Major's skull and referring to each other as "Comrade" represent nothing more than "strange" customs which ought to be "suppressed." Furthermore, Napoleon also changes the name of Animal Farm back to Manor Farm, its name under Mr Jones: Henceforward the name was to be known as 'The Manor Farm...

In chapter three, Dr. Jekyll is so mysterious as he sits talking with his friend and lawyer, Mr. Utterson, that his odd responses to Utterson's questions create suspense and build tension. Utterson wants to discuss Jekyll's will, but Jekyll is unwilling to pursue the subject, even though Utterson is concerned because he's heard something "'abominable'" about Mr. Hyde, the man who is currently named as Jekyll's sole heir. Jekyll's face "grew pale [...], and there... In chapter three, Dr. Jekyll is so mysterious as he sits talking with his friend and lawyer, Mr. Utterson, that his odd responses to Utterson's questions create suspense and build tension. Utterson wants to discuss Jekyll's will, but Jekyll is unwilling to pursue the subject, even though Utterson is concerned because he's heard something "'abominable'" about Mr. Hyde, the man who is currently named as Jekyll's sole heir. Jekyll's face "grew...

The first time Tom arrives at Wilson's garage, when he has Nick along with him, Myrtle is quite happy to see Tom, and she does whatever he tells her.  She "walk[s] through her husband as if he were a ghost," going right up to Tom, licking her lips and looking right into his eyes.  She seems very sexually suggestive in all her lush vitality and boldness.  Tom tells her to "get on the next train,"... The first time Tom arrives at Wilson's garage, when he has Nick along with him, Myrtle is quite happy to see Tom, and she does whatever he tells her.  She "walk[s] through her husband as if he were a ghost," going right up to Tom, licking her lips and looking right into his eyes.  She seems very sexually suggestive in all her lush vitality and boldness.  Tom tells her to "get on the next train," and she acquiesces immediately.  She acts as though she is his to command. The second time we see Tom arrive at Wilson's, he's in the car with ...

At line 41 of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner , the mariner describes the ship's journey south into unknown waters. The storm-blast is described as having "o'ertaking wings," which gives the impression of a huge bird flying toward them and catching up to them. The bird is "tyrannous and strong," meaning this is a bird that is unusually powerful as well as cruel, unjust, or oppressive. What type of bird might the poet have... At line 41 of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner , the mariner describes the ship's journey south into unknown waters. The storm-blast is described as having "o'ertaking wings," which gives the impression of a huge bird flying toward them and catching up to them. The bird is "tyrannous and strong," meaning this is a bird that is unusually powerful as well as cruel, unjust, or oppressive. What type of bird might the poet have had in mind? The roc could be one option; it is a mythical bird that was large enough to ...

I think Washington Irving's main purpose for writing "The Devil and Tom Walker" was to critique and warn of the dangers of greed. In the story, Tom Walker meets a man in the woods who is implied to be the Devil. Tom is in an unhappy marriage and wants nothing more than to be rich. Irving insinuates that Tom eventually agrees to sell his soul to the Devil in exchange for wealth on Earth. For years, Tom makes a lot of money as an usurer, and buys a large house that he barely furnishes "out of parsimony." As Tom becomes older, he begins to worry about what will happen to him when the Devil comes to make good on their agreement. He turns to religion very loudly but in a very superficial way. He attends church frequently and prays loudly, but continues to charge financially debilitating interest rates when he loans money. Including Tom's turn to religion in the story is Irving's way of critiquing people who are very loud about their religious beliefs but do n...

Okeke's objections to Nnaemeka's marriage to Nene are all based on Ibo tribe tradition in his native Nigeria. The Ibo tribe tradition is that the woman should be chosen by the father, be a "good" Christian, have training as a homemaker and, above all, be of the Ibo tribe. Nene partially fits only one of these criteria, which is not enough for Okeke. First, Nnaemeka rejects the wife Okeke has chosen and wants to marry Nene... Okeke's objections to Nnaemeka's marriage to Nene are all based on Ibo tribe tradition in his native Nigeria. The Ibo tribe tradition is that the woman should be chosen by the father, be a "good" Christian, have training as a homemaker and, above all, be of the Ibo tribe. Nene partially fits only one of these criteria, which is not enough for Okeke. First, Nnaemeka rejects the wife Okeke has chosen and wants to marry Nene only due to Nnaemeka's love for her. Next, even though Nene is a Christian, she is a schoolteacher, which...

Faber, an older dissident Montag meets, values books and reads them even though they are illegal. When he says books have pores, he means good books are filled with "texture," details and ambiguities that encourage people to think. Faber says the pores can be put under a microscope, by which he means examined and pondered, and The more pores, the more truthfully recorded details of life per square inch you can get on a sheet... Faber, an older dissident Montag meets, values books and reads them even though they are illegal. When he says books have pores, he means good books are filled with "texture," details and ambiguities that encourage people to think. Faber says the pores can be put under a microscope, by which he means examined and pondered, and The more pores, the more truthfully recorded details of life per square inch you can get on a sheet of paper, the more `literary' you are. That's my definition, anyway. Telling detail. Fresh detail. The good wri...

In Chapter Seven of Tuck Everlasting , the Tuck family explains to Winnie how they became immortal. Having stopped in the woods surrounding Treegap to rest, they all drank from a spring... including their horse. As years passed, various bizarre incidences started to indicate that something was not quite right with the family. Jesse was sawing large branches off of a tree when he lost his balance and fell out of it, landing on his head... In Chapter Seven of Tuck Everlasting , the Tuck family explains to Winnie how they became immortal. Having stopped in the woods surrounding Treegap to rest, they all drank from a spring... including their horse. As years passed, various bizarre incidences started to indicate that something was not quite right with the family. Jesse was sawing large branches off of a tree when he lost his balance and fell out of it, landing on his head but experiencing no injury. The next strange event involved the horse. Hunters who were passing by the Tuck residence s...

In Nietzsche's conception, during the Jewish slave revolt in morality, the Jews turned against the idea that only aristocrats were good and instead believed that the powerless were associated with the idea of goodness. Nietzsche describes their ideas as, "Only those who suffer are good, only the poor, the powerless, the lowly are good; the suffering, the deprived, the sick, the ugly, are the only pious people, the only ones saved, salvation is for them... In Nietzsche's conception, during the Jewish slave revolt in morality, the Jews turned against the idea that only aristocrats were good and instead believed that the powerless were associated with the idea of goodness. Nietzsche describes their ideas as, "Only those who suffer are good, only the poor, the powerless, the lowly are good; the suffering, the deprived, the sick, the ugly, are the only pious people, the only ones saved, salvation is for them alone" (page 17). This is the idea of what he calls ressenti...

Really, there is not much difference at all between the role of upper-class women in the early nineteenth century and the way Austen writes them.  Austen has represented upper-class women as essentially having to make the choice between marrying whichever man happens to propose to them, no matter how stupid or inappropriate a match he might be, and running the risk that no one will ever ask her again and that she could end up... Really, there is not much difference at all between the role of upper-class women in the early nineteenth century and the way Austen writes them.  Austen has represented upper-class women as essentially having to make the choice between marrying whichever man happens to propose to them, no matter how stupid or inappropriate a match he might be, and running the risk that no one will ever ask her again and that she could end up alone, a burden on her family.  Charlotte Lucas, for example, feels that she has few options, and she is anxious -- at twenty-seven years...

After three weeks at Auschwitz, Elie and his father are marched to the work camp at Buna. After a four hour walk they arrive at a camp which Elie describes as looking as though it had gone through an "epidemic," with not many people around. Elie and his father are installed in what was called the "orchestra block" because there were several musicians living there. One of the musicians, a Polish man named Juliek, explains... After three weeks at Auschwitz, Elie and his father are marched to the work camp at Buna. After a four hour walk they arrive at a camp which Elie describes as looking as though it had gone through an "epidemic," with not many people around. Elie and his father are installed in what was called the "orchestra block" because there were several musicians living there. One of the musicians, a Polish man named Juliek, explains to Elie that they work in a warehouse and that the work was not "difficult or dangerous." He does...

When Jonas is assigned as the next Receiver, the Chief Elder says that he has either demonstrated or will demonstrate integrity, wisdom, intelligence, courage, and the capacity to see beyond. Provided below are examples of each trait as found throughout the book. One character trait of integrity is taking responsibility for one's actions. Jonas demonstrates integrity after he takes an apple home from the recreation area. A public announcement is made to remind him of... When Jonas is assigned as the next Receiver, the Chief Elder says that he has either demonstrated or will demonstrate integrity, wisdom, intelligence, courage, and the capacity to see beyond. Provided below are examples of each trait as found throughout the book. One character trait of integrity is taking responsibility for one's actions. Jonas demonstrates integrity after he takes an apple home from the recreation area. A public announcement is made to remind him of the rule not to take food home. In chapter t...

"Life" is not a question but rather a noun referring to a state of being or consciousness. As answers respond to questions, the singular term "life," while it may have a definition, cannot have an answer. Living beings are distinguished from inanimate ones by several characteristics. First, living beings grow by absorbing nutrients and using the energy gained from those nutrients to grow and reproduce in some fashion. Second, living beings respond to external stimuli.... "Life" is not a question but rather a noun referring to a state of being or consciousness. As answers respond to questions, the singular term "life," while it may have a definition, cannot have an answer. Living beings are distinguished from inanimate ones by several characteristics. First, living beings grow by absorbing nutrients and using the energy gained from those nutrients to grow and reproduce in some fashion. Second, living beings respond to external stimuli. Finally, li...

This question seems to be referring to the crisis that emerged in Little Rock over attempts to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957. After a federal district court ruled that Little Rock must integrate its high school, nine African-American students, known henceforth as the "Little Rock Nine," were chosen to do so. As the school year began, angry white mobs formed outside the school to prevent the black students from entering. Arkansas governor... This question seems to be referring to the crisis that emerged in Little Rock over attempts to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957. After a federal district court ruled that Little Rock must integrate its high school, nine African-American students, known henceforth as the "Little Rock Nine," were chosen to do so. As the school year began, angry white mobs formed outside the school to prevent the black students from entering. Arkansas governor Orval Faubus sided with the mobs, even using the stat...

Maupassant's short story "The Beggar" illustrates that man is alone and helpless against the hardships of life. An old Russian proverb reads "Man is a wolf to man." This holds true in Maupassant's story. While the denizens of the villages where "Bell" begs give to him for a while, perhaps out of a sense of Christian obligation, they soon grow weary of him. And when the peasants, tired of constantly meeting him in their fields... Maupassant's short story "The Beggar" illustrates that man is alone and helpless against the hardships of life. An old Russian proverb reads "Man is a wolf to man." This holds true in Maupassant's story. While the denizens of the villages where "Bell" begs give to him for a while, perhaps out of a sense of Christian obligation, they soon grow weary of him. And when the peasants, tired of constantly meeting him in their fields or along their lanes, exclaimed: "Why don't you go t...

The Emperor Jones is a play written by Eugene O'Neill in 1920. The main character, Brutus Jones, is an African-American man who formerly worked as a Pullman porter on the railroads. After killing another African-American man in a dice game, he flees to a West Indian island and establishes himself as emperor with the help of a Cockney man named Henry Smithers. Jones learns that his subjects are going to rebel, and he tries to... The Emperor Jones is a play written by Eugene O'Neill in 1920. The main character, Brutus Jones, is an African-American man who formerly worked as a Pullman porter on the railroads. After killing another African-American man in a dice game, he flees to a West Indian island and establishes himself as emperor with the help of a Cockney man named Henry Smithers. Jones learns that his subjects are going to rebel, and he tries to escape through the jungle with a silver bullet as a charm that he thinks will protect him. In the jungle, Jones hears the beats of...

There is more than one theme in the novel, but one important theme is the importance of belonging. Family, friendship, and belonging are very important to the boys. They are part of gangs, but the gangs are like their family. There are a couple examples in the book when the importance of this bond is exemplified.  Pony describes how important the gang’s friendship is to Johnny. Johnny is abused by his father and ignored by... There is more than one theme in the novel, but one important theme is the importance of belonging. Family, friendship, and belonging are very important to the boys. They are part of gangs, but the gangs are like their family. There are a couple examples in the book when the importance of this bond is exemplified.  Pony describes how important the gang’s friendship is to Johnny. Johnny is abused by his father and ignored by his mother. The gang is the only real family he has. They are the people who really care about him.  He was the gang's pet, everyone's ...

Robert Frost's poem, "Mending Wall," focuses on the relationship between two neighbors. Every year, the two neighbors meet to repair a wall that exists between their two farms. The speaker of the poem does not seem to see the point of maintaining the wall between his property and that of his neighbor. He states that the wall is not needed where it exists. However, his neighbor sees a value to the wall beyond the practical: There... Robert Frost's poem, "Mending Wall," focuses on the relationship between two neighbors. Every year, the two neighbors meet to repair a wall that exists between their two farms. The speaker of the poem does not seem to see the point of maintaining the wall between his property and that of his neighbor. He states that the wall is not needed where it exists. However, his neighbor sees a value to the wall beyond the practical: There where it is we do not need the wall: He is all pine and I am apple orchard. My apple trees will never g...

Democracy in America --first published by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1835--argues that the political transition from monarchy to democracy is inevitable.  Believing this, Tocqueville sought to examine the nature of democracy in the United States, the country which had the most robust and stable democratic government. Tocqueville intended these observations to help future democracies combat threats to liberty. Tocqueville believed equality was the greatest threat democracies faced. The egalitarianism of democratic governments promotes a like... Democracy in America --first published by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1835--argues that the political transition from monarchy to democracy is inevitable.  Believing this, Tocqueville sought to examine the nature of democracy in the United States, the country which had the most robust and stable democratic government. Tocqueville intended these observations to help future democracies combat threats to liberty. Tocqueville believed equality was the gre...

One of the more admirable qualities of Atticus Finch is his ability to consider the perspectives of others. He is also quite conscientious and considerate. He thinks of how each person thinks about the world and how his own interactions with that person might affect others. In short, he has a keen and compassionate understanding of each individual in Maycomb and how his own actions contribute to the social dynamics (interactions) among the other citizens. Therefore, Atticus is thoughtful and careful about what he says and does.  Here is an example. At the beginning of Chapter 23, we learn that Bob Ewell has spit in Atticus' face. The trial is over and Atticus lost, but Bob was embarrassed in the courtroom and he continues to hold a grudge against Atticus. Bob spits in his face but Atticus does not retaliate. When Jem asks him why, Atticus tells him that he felt it was necessary to allow Bob to take his anger out on him:  Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I de...