Help Notes

You have asked a lot of questions in your post. I will answer the first question you asked. The Cold War was a period of confrontations and competitions between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union wanted to spread the system of communism, and we wanted to prevent it from spreading. We worked to stop the spread of communism in many places. We developed the European Recovery Program to provide aid to... You have asked a lot of questions in your post. I will answer the first question you asked. The Cold War was a period of confrontations and competitions between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union wanted to spread the system of communism, and we wanted to prevent it from spreading. We worked to stop the spread of communism in many places. We developed the European Recovery Program to provide aid to countries that were trying to prevent communism from spreading. For example, we gave aid to Greece and Turkey, and neither country became communist. We...

The  Beowulf  poet is quite clear about the origin of Grendel's hatred of Hrothgar's men and, later, Beowulf and his men.  As the descendant of Cain, Grendel has been cast out of all human fellowship: . . .  [God] had condemned him as Cain's kinsman.  The Captain Eternal/. . . avenged the murder of Abel by Cain/and banished him [Grendel]. . . away from humankind. . . . (ll. 106-110) At any time that Grendel... The  Beowulf  poet is quite clear about the origin of Grendel's hatred of Hrothgar's men and, later, Beowulf and his men.  As the descendant of Cain, Grendel has been cast out of all human fellowship: . . .  [God] had condemned him as Cain's kinsman.  The Captain Eternal/. . . avenged the murder of Abel by Cain/and banished him [Grendel]. . . away from humankind. . . . (ll. 106-110) At any time that Grendel realizes that men are celebrating in Hrothgar's mead hall—a celebration which he cannot share because he is a descendant of Cain and therefore an o...

The three men – J., George, and Harris – are discussing their own health issues. No one suffers from any real disease or crucial ailment. They’re all just feeling “seedy” or listless. J. launches into a story about his own tendencies toward hypochondria, although he doesn’t use this term. He once paged through a medical reference book and imagined that he had nearly every malady listed in it. In the present day, the friends also... The three men – J., George, and Harris – are discussing their own health issues. No one suffers from any real disease or crucial ailment. They’re all just feeling “seedy” or listless. J. launches into a story about his own tendencies toward hypochondria, although he doesn’t use this term. He once paged through a medical reference book and imagined that he had nearly every malady listed in it. In the present day, the friends also agree that they are overworked. We find out later that George works in a bank six days a week. But we never learn what J. and Harri...

I am not certain how to identify exactly three factors that Diamond cites in Guns, Germs, and Steel that separated the world’s haves from the have-nots. If I had to identify exactly three, I would list them as the number of domesticable plant species in an area; the number of domesticable animal species; and the direction of the land mass’s axis. Diamond does, of course, identify “guns, germs, and steel” as three factors that separated... I am not certain how to identify exactly three factors that Diamond cites in Guns, Germs, and Steel that separated the world’s haves from the have-nots. If I had to identify exactly three, I would list them as the number of domesticable plant species in an area; the number of domesticable animal species; and the direction of the land mass’s axis. Diamond does, of course, identify “guns, germs, and steel” as three factors that separated the world’s haves and have-nots.  However, these are only proximate factors.  It is too simple to say that the Euro...

First of all, we have to recognize that the Romans did not mistreat Christians at all times and all places.  There were many times and places when Christians could get along fine in the Roman Empire.  However, it is true that Christians were persecuted at times.  When they were, it was because A) their religion did not permit them to engage in traditional Roman religious rituals and B) because they were trying to spread their... First of all, we have to recognize that the Romans did not mistreat Christians at all times and all places.  There were many times and places when Christians could get along fine in the Roman Empire.  However, it is true that Christians were persecuted at times.  When they were, it was because A) their religion did not permit them to engage in traditional Roman religious rituals and B) because they were trying to spread their religion to other Romans. The Roman Empire actually tolerated many religions.  The only thing was that they expected everyone of every re...

DNA is made up of many nucleotides put together. Each nucleotide is made of a phosphate, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base. In DNA, the specific sugar in the nucleotides is deoxyribose (which makes up the 'D' in DNA). When nucleotides are linked together, the phosphates and the sugars form the 'backbone' of the DNA molecule. They alternate along the sides of the molecule, or if you think of DNA like a ladder, along the... DNA is made up of many nucleotides put together. Each nucleotide is made of a phosphate, a sugar, and a nitrogenous base. In DNA, the specific sugar in the nucleotides is deoxyribose (which makes up the 'D' in DNA). When nucleotides are linked together, the phosphates and the sugars form the 'backbone' of the DNA molecule. They alternate along the sides of the molecule, or if you think of DNA like a ladder, along the sides of the ladder. The nitrogenous base of one nucleotide attaches to the nitrogenous base of another nucleotide by hydr...

Miss Maudie is very unique. She treats children with respect, and she enjoys taking care of her garden more than her house. Miss Maudie is a neighbor and good friend of Scout and Jem. She does not mind having children in her yard, and is very generous. Scout finds that sitting with Miss Maudie on her porch helps her feel better when Dill and Jem are off by themselves doing boy things. Jem and I... Miss Maudie is very unique. She treats children with respect, and she enjoys taking care of her garden more than her house. Miss Maudie is a neighbor and good friend of Scout and Jem. She does not mind having children in her yard, and is very generous. Scout finds that sitting with Miss Maudie on her porch helps her feel better when Dill and Jem are off by themselves doing boy things. Jem and I had always enjoyed the free run of Miss Maudie’s yard if we kept out of her azaleas, but our contact with her was not clearly defined. Until Jem and Dill excluded me from their plans, she was only anot...

Jem is devastated when the jury gives Tom Robinson a guilty verdict. He had clung to the hope that jurors would look at the evidence and declare Tom Robinson innocent. Jem had faith in the jury to do the right thing, not the popular thing. At home, Jem cries at the injustice. Atticus is solemn and heads up to bed early. Jem asks his father how the jury could have convicted Tom Robinson. Atticus responds, ... Jem is devastated when the jury gives Tom Robinson a guilty verdict. He had clung to the hope that jurors would look at the evidence and declare Tom Robinson innocent. Jem had faith in the jury to do the right thing, not the popular thing. At home, Jem cries at the injustice. Atticus is solemn and heads up to bed early. Jem asks his father how the jury could have convicted Tom Robinson. Atticus responds, "I don't know, but they did it. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it—seems that only children weep" (Cha...

The rude mechanicals plan to perform a play to entertain the duke and duchess before their wedding. Peter Quince insists that they meet in the woods in order to keep their play and aim secret. They have a difficult time with the rehearsal, dealing with incompetent actors and the transfiguration of the lead actor, Bottom, whose head turns into a donkey’s. He then disappears for the whole night. However, Bottom appears just in time and... The rude mechanicals plan to perform a play to entertain the duke and duchess before their wedding. Peter Quince insists that they meet in the woods in order to keep their play and aim secret. They have a difficult time with the rehearsal, dealing with incompetent actors and the transfiguration of the lead actor, Bottom, whose head turns into a donkey’s. He then disappears for the whole night. However, Bottom appears just in time and tells them, “our play is preferred.” The players are one of many groups to submit their act before the nobles. Theseus is...

Octavius speaks the final words in Julius Caesar. He and Mark Antony praise Brutus’s memory and plan to give him “all respect and rites of burial.” Though they mourn Brutus’s death, they also celebrate their victory: “let's away, / To part the glories of this happy day.” Octavius is Julius Caesar’s nephew and adopted son. The irony at the play’s conclusion is that another Caesar is set to lead Rome. Brutus’s aim was to keep... Octavius speaks the final words in Julius Caesar. He and Mark Antony praise Brutus’s memory and plan to give him “all respect and rites of burial.” Though they mourn Brutus’s death, they also celebrate their victory: “let's away, / To part the glories of this happy day.” Octavius is Julius Caesar’s nephew and adopted son. The irony at the play’s conclusion is that another Caesar is set to lead Rome. Brutus’s aim was to keep Rome a republic, but killing the would-be emperor merely caused a civil war and put another Caesar in power. Octavius, or Augustus C...

The long-term effects of World War II were many, and as we discuss them, it is important to remember that the most important effect of the war was the over 50 million people, mostly civilians, who died during it.  Long-term effects included the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as the world's two predominant superpowers. With Europe in ruins, these nations did much to shape the postwar order. Disputes between the United... The long-term effects of World War II were many, and as we discuss them, it is important to remember that the most important effect of the war was the over 50 million people, mostly civilians, who died during it.  Long-term effects included the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as the world's two predominant superpowers. With Europe in ruins, these nations did much to shape the postwar order. Disputes between the United States and the communist Soviet Union over what this postwar order would look like fairly quickly escalat...

Macbeth is prophesied to be king, while Banquo will be the father of kings. At the beginning of the play, these two soldiers had been friends, fighting together in the battle. With the prophecy, however, things begin to change. Macbeth, believing wholeheartedly in the prophecy, immediately sees murder as the means by which he can get rid of Duncan, as well as Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain. When he contemplates the witches’ prophecy of Banquo’s... Macbeth is prophesied to be king, while Banquo will be the father of kings. At the beginning of the play, these two soldiers had been friends, fighting together in the battle. With the prophecy, however, things begin to change. Macbeth, believing wholeheartedly in the prophecy, immediately sees murder as the means by which he can get rid of Duncan, as well as Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain. When he contemplates the witches’ prophecy of Banquo’s sons becoming kings, he puts two and two together: his own sons will not inherit the cr...

A good working definition of a dystopian society is the following: A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. I will get to a few specific characteristics in a moment, but let's unwind  the above statement and compare it to  Unwind.  The book does take place in the future.  It's not a far off future, but the... A good working definition of a dystopian society is the following: A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. I will get to a few specific characteristics in a moment, but let's unwind  the above statement and compare it to  Unwind.  The book does take place in the future.  It's not a far off future, but the book does make it clear that technology exi...

Link Deas stands up to defend Tom Robinson in Chapter 19 of  To Kill a Mockingbird. This is significant because earlier in the book he warned Atticus that Atticus had "everything to lose" by actually mounting a real defense for Tom instead of making the town happy and simply going through the motions. Mr. Link Deas rose from the audience and announced: "I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right... Link Deas stands up to defend Tom Robinson in Chapter 19 of  To Kill a Mockingbird. This is significant because earlier in the book he warned Atticus that Atticus had "everything to lose" by actually mounting a real defense for Tom instead of making the town happy and simply going through the motions. Mr. Link Deas rose from the audience and announced: "I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right now. That boy's worked for me eight years an' I ain't had a speck o'trouble outa him. Not a speck." "Shut your mo...

In the essay "In Search of Our Mother's Gardens," Alice Walker describes not only what her mother, Minnie Lou Grant Walker, did for a living, which was sharecropping, but how she found ways to be creative even in her oppressive and impoverished circumstances. Walker is the daughter of Georgia sharecroppers. Sharecropping was a system of agrarian, or farm, labor that existed after slavery was abolished. Sharecropping remained common throughout the South from the 1860s to... In the essay "In Search of Our Mother's Gardens," Alice Walker describes not only what her mother, Minnie Lou Grant Walker, did for a living, which was sharecropping, but how she found ways to be creative even in her oppressive and impoverished circumstances. Walker is the daughter of Georgia sharecroppers. Sharecropping was a system of agrarian, or farm, labor that existed after slavery was abolished. Sharecropping remained common throughout the South from the 1860s to the 1940s. Arguably...

The little boy named Johnny Dorset, who calls himself Red Chief, is delighted with being kidnapped because it lets him escape from the discipline and chores of home, if any; because it gets him out of school; because it lets him live in the outdoors like a real Indian; and because it seems like the supreme adventure of his life. He relates well to Bill and Sam. He has never known any adults who behaved... The little boy named Johnny Dorset, who calls himself Red Chief, is delighted with being kidnapped because it lets him escape from the discipline and chores of home, if any; because it gets him out of school; because it lets him live in the outdoors like a real Indian; and because it seems like the supreme adventure of his life. He relates well to Bill and Sam. He has never known any adults who behaved in such an antisocial way. They become, in his eyes, like Indians themselves. Being outlaws, the two men have relinquished whatever dignity and authority they might have had as respecta...

Clarisse and Faber play similar roles in the book, in that they both introduce Montag to a new way of looking at the world.  Before meeting Clarisse, Montag never really questioned whether he was happy or not, and before meeting Faber, he never really thought about how things used to be. Meeting each of them helped move Montag along the road to subversion. Clarisse is a teenage neighbor of Montag’s. When he meets her for the first time, she comments that she is not afraid of him, and she also asks him an unusual question. She laughed at this. "Good night!" She started up her walk. Then she seemed to remember something and came back to look at him with wonder and curiosity. "Are you happy?" she said. "Am I what?" he cried. But she was gone—running in the moonlight. Her front door shut gently. "Happy! Of all the nonsense." (Part I) It had never occurred to Montag to wonder if he was happy or not, or even to think about being happy. Clarisse comment...

At the beginning of Harper Lee's  To Kill A Mockingbird,  Jem and Scout believe that Boo Radley is a monstrous menace who's been locked away in his family's home to prevent him from wreaking havoc on society. It is believed, for instance, that he stabbed his father with a pair of scissors, and so Jem and his sister see Boo as some kind of boogeyman. However, Jem begins to realize the truth behind Boo's reputation... At the beginning of Harper Lee's  To Kill A Mockingbird,  Jem and Scout believe that Boo Radley is a monstrous menace who's been locked away in his family's home to prevent him from wreaking havoc on society. It is believed, for instance, that he stabbed his father with a pair of scissors, and so Jem and his sister see Boo as some kind of boogeyman. However, Jem begins to realize the truth behind Boo's reputation when he and Scout begin finding gifts in the knothole of a neighborhood tree. Gradually, Jem understands that Boo is leaving the gi...

How you respond to Hurston's conception of race will depend on your own personal interpretation of what she's saying; I'll offer below a few ways you might react. Let's start by reviewing what she's saying about race at the close of the essay. By comparing herself to "a brown bag" filled with all kinds of random things, and by comparing other people of various races to other bags similarly filled with various contents, Hurston is saying that it really doesn't matter what color we are on the outside--we're all filled with basically the same things (the same thoughts, feelings, experiences, etc.) and that this essential similarity that transcends race is probably how we were created to be by God ("the Great Stuffer of Bags"). Basically, then, Hurston is saying that even though her own experiences have taught her that she's treated differently because she's "colored," she believes that race just shouldn't matter that mu...

An apt episode from Don Quixote comes from Don Quixote's showdown with a windmill. The episode consists mostly of absurd violence: after all, Don Quixote's opponent (a windmill) is entirely unable to (1) take any damage, or (2) consciously fight him back. The image of Don Quixote fighting a windmill (and losing) is one of maximum absurdity. One interesting idea this raises can be tied into the question of violence at large: is regular violence... An apt episode from Don Quixote comes from Don Quixote's showdown with a windmill. The episode consists mostly of absurd violence: after all, Don Quixote's opponent (a windmill) is entirely unable to (1) take any damage, or (2) consciously fight him back. The image of Don Quixote fighting a windmill (and losing) is one of maximum absurdity. One interesting idea this raises can be tied into the question of violence at large: is regular violence any different from what we see in this episode? More specifically, are all objects to...

Mood is the emotion caused by reading the poem.  A poem might be sad, happy, excited, passionate, or mourning, just like a person.  Any mood that a person has can be found in poetry. This little poem is very interesting, because it is about the effect of war on nature.  The poem starts out with a very serene mood, and ends up with a depressingly warning tone that makes the reader thoughtful.  The beginning of... Mood is the emotion caused by reading the poem.  A poem might be sad, happy, excited, passionate, or mourning, just like a person.  Any mood that a person has can be found in poetry. This little poem is very interesting, because it is about the effect of war on nature.  The poem starts out with a very serene mood, and ends up with a depressingly warning tone that makes the reader thoughtful.  The beginning of the poem starts off in a way that seems very mellow and inviting.  It takes us through nature, and it is raining, but softly.  Everything is calm and sweet.  There will co...

Ambrose Bierce was eventually an American journalist, editorialist, and writer of short stories, but he was first a young man who fought for the Union in the Civil War. His short story, also sometimes categorized as an essay, “What I Saw at Shiloh” provides his view on one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. Bierce makes it very easy to “see” the brutalities and violence and the psychological and emotional tolls of war. But unlike so many other authors who write of such things, Bierce’s commentary is sarcastic, which helps us to understand that there is little nobility or gallantry in war that is not overcome by the waste of beauty, of energy, of life. At the outset of the story, we meet Bierce’s regiment in a camp where they are being treated to a day of rest. But Bierce describes them as being weary, of limping badly due to blistered feet, of “indolent dogmatism” in their discussions of when the war would finally end. These are not fresh-faced, eager-for-battle newbies; they a...

In Chapter 15, Atticus drives to the Maycomb jailhouse and sits outside of Tom Robinson's cell to make sure that nobody attempts to harm Tom before the trial. Jem, Scout, and Dill decide to find out where Atticus is and eventually spot him in front of the jailhouse. Seemingly out of nowhere, a group of dusty cars arrive from the Meridan highway. The Old Sarum bunch gets out of the cars and surrounds Atticus. One... In Chapter 15, Atticus drives to the Maycomb jailhouse and sits outside of Tom Robinson's cell to make sure that nobody attempts to harm Tom before the trial. Jem, Scout, and Dill decide to find out where Atticus is and eventually spot him in front of the jailhouse. Seemingly out of nowhere, a group of dusty cars arrive from the Meridan highway. The Old Sarum bunch gets out of the cars and surrounds Atticus. One of the members of the mob tells Atticus to step aside, and Atticus says, " You can turn around and go home again, Walter " (Lee 202). When the mob ...

In Tom Godwin's short story "The Cold Equations," Commander Delhart gives commands rather than suggestions just as any commander of a ship or interstellar cruiser would. However, he shows the utmost compassion while giving commands and granting permission.His first command is that Barton follow through with the regulation of ejecting the stowaway. Upon learning that the stowaway is an innocent girl, he quickly understands that Barton contacted him to see if anything could be... In Tom Godwin's short story "The Cold Equations," Commander Delhart gives commands rather than suggestions just as any commander of a ship or interstellar cruiser would. However, he shows the utmost compassion while giving commands and granting permission. His first command is that Barton follow through with the regulation of ejecting the stowaway. Upon learning that the stowaway is an innocent girl, he quickly understands that Barton contacted him to see if anything could be d...

The poem presents a tongue-in-cheek account of Master Rabbit's overreaction to seeing a human out for a walk. As the poem opens, the narrator, a human, (let's assume he's a man), is enjoying a walk out in nature at the end of a summer day. The man recounts the sights, sounds, and smells that he takes in as he walks: "grasshoppers talking," the smell of roses and thyme, and the amber wings of the linnets... The poem presents a tongue-in-cheek account of Master Rabbit's overreaction to seeing a human out for a walk. As the poem opens, the narrator, a human, (let's assume he's a man), is enjoying a walk out in nature at the end of a summer day. The man recounts the sights, sounds, and smells that he takes in as he walks: "grasshoppers talking," the smell of roses and thyme, and the amber wings of the linnets as they hop from bush to bush. The narrator then sees a rabbit, whom he dignifies and personifies by calling "Master Rabbit," sit...

In Chapter 13, Aunt Alexandra moves into the Finch's household because it is decided that Scout needs a "feminine influence." Aunt Alexandra is the quintessential Southern belle who believes that females should wear dresses and participate in social affairs with other ladies. She views Scout with contempt because Scout wears overalls and enjoys playing outside with the boys. Scout has little in common with her aunt and prefers to behave like a "tomboy" rather than... In Chapter 13, Aunt Alexandra moves into the Finch's household because it is decided that Scout needs a "feminine influence." Aunt Alexandra is the quintessential Southern belle who believes that females should wear dresses and participate in social affairs with other ladies. She views Scout with contempt because Scout wears overalls and enjoys playing outside with the boys. Scout has little in common with her aunt and prefers to behave like a "tomboy" rather than a proper S...

As is the case with most irony, situational and dramatic irony is used in The Crucible to increase tension and heighten suspense.  First, the situational irony of having children calling the shots in the witch trials undermines the authority of adults who should and do know better, and it increases tension for readers because these children are essentially in charge of who lives and who dies in Salem.  As Proctor says, "now the little crazy... As is the case with most irony, situational and dramatic irony is used in The Crucible to increase tension and heighten suspense.  First, the situational irony of having children calling the shots in the witch trials undermines the authority of adults who should and do know better, and it increases tension for readers because these children are essentially in charge of who lives and who dies in Salem.  As Proctor says, "now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom [...]!"  The children's accusations overw...

In Chapter VIII of Great Expectations, Miss Havisham wants Pip to "play." She explains to him: “I sometimes have sick fancies,” she went on, “and I have a sick fancy that I want to see some play. There, there!” with an impatient movement of the fingers of her right hand; “play, play, play!” Pip does not feel at all like playing in this strange house for the amusement of this strange woman, especially since she... In Chapter VIII of Great Expectations, Miss Havisham wants Pip to "play." She explains to him: “I sometimes have sick fancies,” she went on, “and I have a sick fancy that I want to see some play. There, there!” with an impatient movement of the fingers of her right hand; “play, play, play!” Pip does not feel at all like playing in this strange house for the amusement of this strange woman, especially since she apparently does not care what he plays at as long as he plays. Eventually Miss Havisham calls Estalla and tells her to play with Pip. "Let me se...

In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, the characters of Beneatha and Walter Younger share the traits of being determined and ambitious. Walter, as we discover in Act I, Scene I of the play, wants to improve his family's financial situation by investing in a liquor store. Unsatisfied with his job and his quality of life, Walter dreams of success and the comforts it might bring, and he does so with a desperation that frequently makes him combative. For instance, his interactions with his wife, Ruth, in Act I of Hansberry's play reveal an ongoing conflict: Walter and Ruth have been arguing over money for quite some time (Hansberry, Act I, Scene I). Similarly, Beneatha Younger is driven and goal-oriented, though her path is not one of business; rather, she pursues education. Beneatha is attending medical school to become a doctor, and by doing so she challenges the restrictions of both race and gender within the context of the play (Hansberry, Act I, Scene I). In terms o...

Jabez Wilson tells Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson that he came to work at the offices of the Red-Headed League that very morning, which was a Saturday. He found the door locked and a note on it reading: THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE       IS DISSOLVED     October 9, 1890. He tells Sherlock Holmes: “I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called at the offices round, but none of... Jabez Wilson tells Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson that he came to work at the offices of the Red-Headed League that very morning, which was a Saturday. He found the door locked and a note on it reading: THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE        IS DISSOLVED      October 9, 1890. He tells Sherlock Holmes: “I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant living on the ground floor, and I asked him if he could tell me what had become of the Red-headed League." The landlord...

There are three distinct triangles using 12 matchsticks: 3-4-5,4-4-4, and 5-5-2. Note that for a given number of matchsticks M, if the sides of the triangle are labeled a,b, and c (without loss of generality let c be the longest side) then a+b+c=M, a+b>c and c<M/2. We can generate the number of triangles for a given M: For 24 matchsticks the possible triangles are 11-11-2,11-10-3,11-9-4,11-8-5,11-7-6,10-10-4,10-9-5,10-8-6,10-7-7,9-9-6,9-8-7,8-8-8 or 12 possible triangles. There are 19 possible triangles for M=30. For M>=3 then (M,number of triangles) is (3,1),(4,0),(5,1),(6,1),(7,2),(8,1),(9,3),(10,2),(11,4),(12,3),(13,5),(14,4),(15,7),(16,5),(17,8),(18,7)... There is a formula for this: If M is even then the number of triangles is the integer closest to M^2/48. If M is odd then the number of triangles is the integer closest to (M+3)^2/48 For example, if M=12 we have 12^2/48=3. If M=14 we have 14^2/48=4.083333 so there are 4 triangles. If M=9 we have (9+3)^2/48=3. If M=11 we h...

Each December Jonas’s community celebrates the advancement of all children.  It’s kind of like everyone has a birthday on the same day.  During each ceremony, all children born during a year advance to the next year and celebrate some kind of milestone.  There is usually a gift involved.  The gift highlights the changes that the children will be undergoing. For example, the first ceremony takes place during the first December of a child’s life.  Assuming the child makes it to December without being released, he or she will be given a name and assigned to a family.  All babies are created through artificial means and given to foster families to raise until they reach adulthood.  They are raised in an institutional setting until this first ceremony.  The Ceremony for the Ones was always noisy and fun. Each December, all the newchildren born in the previous year turned One. One at a time--there were always fifty in each year's group, if none had been released --they had been brought t...

Science has solved so many mysteries that it seems almost impossible that there are questions that science may not be able to answer. There are a lot of questions still unsolved, however, and here is a small list of them: Existence of God: Religions have always stressed the presence of one or more higher beings. Science has always avoided this question. Science may not be able to answer whether God exists or what his or... Science has solved so many mysteries that it seems almost impossible that there are questions that science may not be able to answer. There are a lot of questions still unsolved, however, and here is a small list of them: Existence of God: Religions have always stressed the presence of one or more higher beings. Science has always avoided this question. Science may not be able to answer whether God exists or what his or her purpose is. Afterlife: Life after death has been a topic of constant discussion among human beings. Scientists have been able to answer many ques...

The poem’s meaning in the story refers to the fact that no one can stay young and innocent for long.   When Johnny and Pony are on the run, hanging out, Johnny comments about the beauty of the sunrise.  This reminds Pony of a Robert Frost poem.  He connects the poem to the moment because the poem is about how nothing stays young.  "The mist was what was pretty," Johnny said. "All gold and silver." ... The poem’s meaning in the story refers to the fact that no one can stay young and innocent for long.   When Johnny and Pony are on the run, hanging out, Johnny comments about the beauty of the sunrise.  This reminds Pony of a Robert Frost poem.  He connects the poem to the moment because the poem is about how nothing stays young.  "The mist was what was pretty," Johnny said. "All gold and silver." "Uhmmmm," I said, trying to blow a smoke ring. "Too bad it couldn't stay like that all the time." "Nothing gold can stay....

Romeo utters this line immediately after killing Tybalt in the first scene of Act Three. As his kinsman Benvolio urges him to flee, knowing that the Prince will possibly sentence him to death if he is captured, Romeo stands as if in a daze. He realizes the gravity of what he has done. He has cost his friend Mercutio his life by his ill-timed intervention in his fight with Tybalt, and he has doomed his... Romeo utters this line immediately after killing Tybalt in the first scene of Act Three. As his kinsman Benvolio urges him to flee, knowing that the Prince will possibly sentence him to death if he is captured, Romeo stands as if in a daze. He realizes the gravity of what he has done. He has cost his friend Mercutio his life by his ill-timed intervention in his fight with Tybalt, and he has doomed his recent marriage to Juliet. With this line, he is, essentially, cursing his bad luck. This is all the more powerful because the audience knows that Romeo and Juliet are doomed, and that th...

What an interesting idea for an assignment (which I assume will eventually be an essay).  I find it interesting because the theme of confinement is not necessarily a common theme mentioned in Pale Horse, Pale Rider , but you can definitely make a case that the theme is both present in and important to the story. First, let me comment on your original ideas.  Your ideas are superb, but they just need to be honed... What an interesting idea for an assignment (which I assume will eventually be an essay).  I find it interesting because the theme of confinement is not necessarily a common theme mentioned in Pale Horse, Pale Rider , but you can definitely make a case that the theme is both present in and important to the story. First, let me comment on your original ideas.  Your ideas are superb, but they just need to be honed a bit.  You do too much summarizing in the beginning of your thought process here.  However, your ideas behind the confinement theme are wonderful.  For example, you a...

Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel  The Scarlet Letter slowly escalates to the climax beginning in Chapter 16. I'll identify each of the significant events leading up to this point with a brief touch of analysis to better explain why / how they stand out: Pearl, after having asked discussed "the Black Man's mark" with Hester, acknowledges that Dimmesdale is physically fixated with the same area of his chest.  With this interaction, both Pearl and the reader have tangibly identified the link between Hester, Dimmesdale, and their shared sin.  Hester and Dimmesdale plan to escape together to Boston . In this moment, Hester and Dimmesdale's trajectory sharply changes from the co-existant state that they have existed in since Hester's pregnancy was revealed. It indicates a shift in both characters' perspectives that they deserve their punishment.  Chillingworth discovers Dimmesdale and Hester's plan and foils it by joining the ship's passenger list as wel...

Manifest Destiny was a belief that many Americans had that we should expand and control the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. They believed it was our destiny to control this land. This concept impacted us significantly because it encouraged westward expansion. The United States wanted to annex Texas as a state. While this was delayed because Texas had slavery, Texas did join the United States in 1845. The United States wanted... Manifest Destiny was a belief that many Americans had that we should expand and control the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. They believed it was our destiny to control this land. This concept impacted us significantly because it encouraged westward expansion. The United States wanted to annex Texas as a state. While this was delayed because Texas had slavery, Texas did join the United States in 1845. The United States wanted to take over the Oregon Territory. Both the United States and Great Britain controlled this l...

In  1984 , George Orwell warns his readers of mankind's potential to destroy what makes us human. This destruction of man's humanity is accomplished by different means: Totalitarianism One a socialist, Orwell became disillusioned with this ideology after living the life of a wandering socialist. When he witnessed what occurred under the Stalin regime, Orwell felt he should alert people to the dangers of the oppression that communist regimes wield.  The proles are examples of the... In  1984 , George Orwell warns his readers of mankind's potential to destroy what makes us human. This destruction of man's humanity is accomplished by different means: Totalitarianism One a socialist, Orwell became disillusioned with this ideology after living the life of a wandering socialist. When he witnessed what occurred under the Stalin regime, Orwell felt he should alert people to the dangers of the oppression that communist regimes wield.  The proles are examples of the poor people w...

As of writing this answer, the current world population is over 7,300,000,000 people. 20% of this number comes to 1,460,000,000 people, which is about 4.5 times as large as the United States. If we wished to reduce our population by this amount it would require a catastrophic amount of energy or force on the scale of tsunamis large enough to cover the entire Chinese coastline. Plagues, illnesses, and other diseases would not be efficient enough... As of writing this answer, the current world population is over 7,300,000,000 people. 20% of this number comes to 1,460,000,000 people, which is about 4.5 times as large as the United States. If we wished to reduce our population by this amount it would require a catastrophic amount of energy or force on the scale of tsunamis large enough to cover the entire Chinese coastline. Plagues, illnesses, and other diseases would not be efficient enough as they require spreading, incubation in their victims, and for the person to succumb to the diseas...

Napoleon gains power over the animals by two means. First, he twists the ideas of the animals' revolution to suggest that questioning his authority is tantamount to treason to Animal Farm, and the good of the whole. This is part of his larger strategy of manipulation of the truth. Squealer, his "propaganda minister," is especially adept at getting the animals to believe whatever is necessary to promote Napoleon's power. After Napoleon drives Snowball from the... Napoleon gains power over the animals by two means. First, he twists the ideas of the animals' revolution to suggest that questioning his authority is tantamount to treason to Animal Farm, and the good of the whole. This is part of his larger strategy of manipulation of the truth. Squealer, his "propaganda minister," is especially adept at getting the animals to believe whatever is necessary to promote Napoleon's power. After Napoleon drives Snowball from the farm, for example, it is Squealer...