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In Act III, Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet learns that her father has promised her in marriage to Count Paris. Unknown to Lord Capulet, Juliet has already married Romeo. When Juliet refuses the commitment, Capulet becomes enraged and threatens to throw her out on the street. Despite her father's anger, Juliet is determined to avoid the marriage to Paris and to remain loyal to Romeo. She initially turns to the Nurse for advice,... In Act III, Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet learns that her father has promised her in marriage to Count Paris. Unknown to Lord Capulet, Juliet has already married Romeo. When Juliet refuses the commitment, Capulet becomes enraged and threatens to throw her out on the street. Despite her father's anger, Juliet is determined to avoid the marriage to Paris and to remain loyal to Romeo. She initially turns to the Nurse for advice, but when the Nurse counsels her to forget Romeo and marry Paris, she privately curses the woman. She then turns to Fr...

Sea of Poppies is the first novel in the Ibis trilogy, created by author and historian Amitav Ghosh. The book takes place in India at the beginning of the opium trade. In proceeding years, the opium trade would lead, in part, to the domination of the subcontinent by British rule. The novel traces the stories of a cast of diverse characters who are implicated, in one way or another, in the opium trade. These characters include Deeti, a low-caste Indian woman with an opium-addicted husband; Neel, a former  raja who has fallen victim to the cunning of English traders; and Zachary, an American sailor aboard the ship  Ibis , which is carrying opium from India to the international market. Eventually, all the characters in the novel come aboard the Ibis.   In bringing together this diverse cast on the opium ship, the novel stages themes of interconnectivity and power at the cusp of globalization . How do individual differences (cultural, economic, or otherwise) fade or intensify in the cont...

Throughout the trial, Kathy O'Brien, Steve Harmon's lawyer, continually mentions how important it is for Steve to distance himself from the other individuals involved in the crime. James King, Richard "Bobo" Evans, and Osvaldo Cruz are all thugs who have a bad reputation. Steve Harmon is simply a good kid who began associating with these individuals in order to fit-in and be cool. Mr. Sawicki runs the film club at Steve's school and is Steve's... Throughout the trial, Kathy O'Brien, Steve Harmon's lawyer, continually mentions how important it is for Steve to distance himself from the other individuals involved in the crime. James King, Richard "Bobo" Evans, and Osvaldo Cruz are all thugs who have a bad reputation. Steve Harmon is simply a good kid who began associating with these individuals in order to fit-in and be cool. Mr. Sawicki runs the film club at Steve's school and is Steve's teacher. O'Brien uses Mr. Sawicki to testify ...

In Emily Dickinson's "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," the atmosphere surrounding the ride begins to alter and grow colder when the carriage pauses before what the speaker recognizes as a grave. The lighthearted tone of the poem, indicated by the speaker's mention that she has put away her "labor and leisure" for an unexpected ride, changes after the driver and the speaker pass the setting sun and the speaker grows cold and quivers... In Emily Dickinson's "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," the atmosphere surrounding the ride begins to alter and grow colder when the carriage pauses before what the speaker recognizes as a grave. The lighthearted tone of the poem, indicated by the speaker's mention that she has put away her "labor and leisure" for an unexpected ride, changes after the driver and the speaker pass the setting sun and the speaker grows cold and quivers with a chill. Then, as the driver approaches a "House...

Electronegativity can be thought of as the ability of an atom to pull the bonding pair of electrons towards itself. The more electronegative an atom is, the closer the bonding pair will be to it. Metals generally have low electronegativity, while non-metals have higher values of electronegativity. When the electronegativity difference between the bonding atoms is high, we get an ionic bond. When the bonding atoms have similar electronegativity, we get a non-polar covalent bond. ... Electronegativity can be thought of as the ability of an atom to pull the bonding pair of electrons towards itself. The more electronegative an atom is, the closer the bonding pair will be to it. Metals generally have low electronegativity, while non-metals have higher values of electronegativity. When the electronegativity difference between the bonding atoms is high, we get an ionic bond. When the bonding atoms have similar electronegativity, we get a non-polar covalent bond. Electronegativity is dependent...

After the night of the party at the Capulets' house and Romeo and Juliet's faithful vows of love to one another in the balcony scene, Romeo goes to Friar Lawrence's cell to acquaint his friend and spiritual guide of the developments in his love life and to make marriage arrangements for later that day. When the Friar chastises Romeo for switching his object of love so quickly, Romeo tells Friar Lawrence, "Her I love now... After the night of the party at the Capulets' house and Romeo and Juliet's faithful vows of love to one another in the balcony scene, Romeo goes to Friar Lawrence's cell to acquaint his friend and spiritual guide of the developments in his love life and to make marriage arrangements for later that day. When the Friar chastises Romeo for switching his object of love so quickly, Romeo tells Friar Lawrence, "Her I love now / Doth grace for grace and love for love allow. / The other did not so" (II.3.85-87). In other words, one of t...

The author of Dreaming Me , Jan Willis, has always contended with a somewhat painful sense of her identity. When she was born, her skin was so light that people implied that she couldn't be her father's daughter, though she was. Her sense of alienation and her later participation in the Civil Rights Movement and the practice of non-violence drove her interest in Buddhism. When she visited Indian Buddhists, she felt truly accepted. She writes,... The author of Dreaming Me , Jan Willis, has always contended with a somewhat painful sense of her identity. When she was born, her skin was so light that people implied that she couldn't be her father's daughter, though she was. Her sense of alienation and her later participation in the Civil Rights Movement and the practice of non-violence drove her interest in Buddhism. When she visited Indian Buddhists, she felt truly accepted. She writes, "These gentle people actually practiced what the Buddha had taught, and so radiate...

People in Maycomb are biased against Tom Robinson simply because he is a black man. It is clear from the beginning of the trial that Tom has committed no offense, and that he has been wrongly accused of raping Mayella Ewell. In fact, it's obvious that Mayella's father was the man who beat her up, and that Tom (who has one stunted arm) is not physically capable of beating Mayella in the way she was... People in Maycomb are biased against Tom Robinson simply because he is a black man. It is clear from the beginning of the trial that Tom has committed no offense, and that he has been wrongly accused of raping Mayella Ewell. In fact, it's obvious that Mayella's father was the man who beat her up, and that Tom (who has one stunted arm) is not physically capable of beating Mayella in the way she was attacked. Atticus says it best during his closing statement in Chapter 20 when he says "this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white...

Trap-jaw ants are equipped with powerful mandibles that have a spring-loaded mechanism which enables them snap closed at extremely high speeds. This trap-jaw mechanism has evolved several times in various groups of ants, using different structures to achieve the trap-jaw function. The mandibles are equipped with ‘trigger hairs’ connected to neurons which spur the mandibles into action as soon as they come in contact with the surface of another object. This enables them to capture... Trap-jaw ants are equipped with powerful mandibles that have a spring-loaded mechanism which enables them snap closed at extremely high speeds. This trap-jaw mechanism has evolved several times in various groups of ants, using different structures to achieve the trap-jaw function. The mandibles are equipped with ‘trigger hairs’ connected to neurons which spur the mandibles into action as soon as they come in contact with the surface of another object. This enables them to capture prey and fight other ants u...

In the first chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird , author Harper Lee uses both direct and indirect characterization techniques to introduce her readers to the three main child characters, Scout, Jem, and Dill. Direct characterization is a technique in which an author directly describes the characters. An author will use many adjectives to describe a character when employing direct characterization. Indirect characterization is a technique in which the author uses a character's actions, dialogue,... In the first chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird , author Harper Lee uses both direct and indirect characterization techniques to introduce her readers to the three main child characters, Scout, Jem, and Dill. Direct characterization is a technique in which an author directly describes the characters. An author will use many adjectives to describe a character when employing direct characterization. Indirect characterization is a technique in which the author uses a character's a...

The Three Weird Sisters may be considered culpable in Duncan’s death only by giving Macbeth the prophecy. However, they did not specify how Macbeth would be king. There are many possible paths for the fulfillment of this prophecy. It was Macbeth’s hubris to assume that he had to be active in his accession to the throne. In this way, the major guilt lies with Macbeth, not the witches. They simply spoke the truth as Fate... The Three Weird Sisters may be considered culpable in Duncan’s death only by giving Macbeth the prophecy. However, they did not specify how Macbeth would be king. There are many possible paths for the fulfillment of this prophecy. It was Macbeth’s hubris to assume that he had to be active in his accession to the throne. In this way, the major guilt lies with Macbeth, not the witches. They simply spoke the truth as Fate would bring it about. Initially, Macbeth, while he considers the possibility of murder, is not sure if he should do anything. It is his wife, Lady Macb...

For me, Stalin is incomparable to today's dictators simply due to the number of people he killed and the capriciousness way in which he killed them.  Yes, some of his killing was genocidal, as his farming program went specifically after Ukrainians, Armenians, and Kazakhs during the Holodomor but he also targeted his own people just as badly.  He killed his top generals during the military purges of 1937 and he also targeted the clergy in... For me, Stalin is incomparable to today's dictators simply due to the number of people he killed and the capriciousness way in which he killed them.  Yes, some of his killing was genocidal, as his farming program went specifically after Ukrainians, Armenians, and Kazakhs during the Holodomor but he also targeted his own people just as badly.  He killed his top generals during the military purges of 1937 and he also targeted the clergy in an attempt to make the Soviet Union the world's first (and only) atheist empire.  Unlike today's ...

Readers know the residents of Poker Flat are hypocritical fairly early on in the story. We are told Mr. Oakhurst notices a moral shift in the town from the previous day. We are not told what kind of moral shift until a few lines later. Readers are then told the townspeople are now influenced by Biblical morals they normally ignore.   There was a Sabbath lull in the air which, in a settlement unused to Sabbath influences, looked ominous. What is very hypocritical of the townspeople of Poker Flat is they do not assume this high moral standing until they lose quite a bit of money and property to Oakhurst, Shipton, and the others. As long as those characters do not hurt Poker Flat, the townspeople are perfectly happy with the amoral standards of the visitors and the town itself.   It had lately suffered the loss of several thousand dollars, two valuable horses, and a prominent citizen. It was experiencing a spasm of virtuous reaction, quite as lawless and ungovernable as any of the acts th...

The quote refers to the bargaining which goes on between Mrs. Crater and Mr. Shiftlet. In order to agree to marry Mrs. Crater's daughter Lucynell, Mr. Shiftlet wants the use of the car and money to take Lucynell to a hotel and buy her a nice dinner, sort of like a honeymoon. Mrs. Crater attempts to talk Mr. Shiftlet out of the whole thing, but eventually offers fifteen dollars, which Mr. Shiftlet says is not enough. When she offers $17.50, she indicates that's all she has and that Mr. Shiftlet won't "milk" anymore out of her. The term "milk" is simply a figure of speech. Just as in milking a cow, if there isn't anything left then there's no use trying to get more. The episode suggests the stinginess of Mrs. Crater and also an emphasis on money by Shiftlet, despite his claim that spiritual things were more important. The fact that he is referred to as "Mister" shows a more formalized world than we live in today where terms such as Mr., M...

Anne is afraid that their hiding place will be discovered.  They are above a business, and the only thing between them and the business is a hidden door behind a bookcase.  They have to be very quiet during the day so no one will hear them.  The fear is a realistic one.  One time the tenants of the Secret Annex were not warned that a carpenter was coming to refill the fire extinguishers in the... Anne is afraid that their hiding place will be discovered.  They are above a business, and the only thing between them and the business is a hidden door behind a bookcase.  They have to be very quiet during the day so no one will hear them.  The fear is a realistic one.  One time the tenants of the Secret Annex were not warned that a carpenter was coming to refill the fire extinguishers in the offices below. They were not being quiet at the time, because they were not expecting anyone, and then they heard hammering from below.  Anne says the carpenter put his tools right by their bookcase, and...

The children put Margot in a closet while the teacher was out of the room. Margot’s teacher does not seem to really be on top of things.  She is barely aware of how much the other children are bullying Margot.  She interferes somewhat in the argument between the boy and Margot, but then she leaves the room. The argument between Margot and the boy is about a poem Margot wrote describing the sun. "Aw, you didn’t write that!" protested one of the boys. "I did," said Margot. "I did." "William!" said the teacher. But that was yesterday. Now the rain was slackening, and the children were crushed in the great thick windows. “Where’s teacher?" "She’ll be back." Any teacher knows not to leave a group of nine year olds, or children of any age, alone for any significant period of time.  When the teacher left, the kids were already stirred up about the sun coming out.  They had not seen the sun for years because it rained all of the time on Ve...

In a given solution, the concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are related to each other by the following expression: pH + pOH = 14 where, pH = - log[H+] and pOH = - log [OH-] In this case, the concentration of sulfuric acid is given as 2.1 x 10^-4 M. Since each molecule of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) contains 2 atoms of hydrogen, the concentration of hydrogen ions in this solution is twice that... In a given solution, the concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are related to each other by the following expression: pH + pOH = 14 where, pH = - log[H+] and pOH = - log [OH-] In this case, the concentration of sulfuric acid is given as 2.1 x 10^-4 M. Since each molecule of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) contains 2 atoms of hydrogen, the concentration of hydrogen ions in this solution is twice that of sulfuric acid. That is, Concentration of H+ ions = 2 x 2.1 x 10^-4  = 4.2 x 10^-4 M This means, pH = -log (4.2 x 10^-4) = 3.38 Since pH + pOH = 14 pOH = 14 - 3.38 = 10.62 This means, 1...

The nurse is a lively woman who is very loyal to Juliet. She is much closer to her ward than Lady Capulet is, being Juliet’s primary caretaker. She is also prone to reminiscing about humorous memories. Lady Capulet becomes frustrated at the nurse’s ramblings and inappropriate jokes. When Juliet’s mother asks her daughter what she thinks about marrying Paris, the nurse encourages this union for Juliet’s sake: “Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.”... The nurse is a lively woman who is very loyal to Juliet. She is much closer to her ward than Lady Capulet is, being Juliet’s primary caretaker. She is also prone to reminiscing about humorous memories. Lady Capulet becomes frustrated at the nurse’s ramblings and inappropriate jokes. When Juliet’s mother asks her daughter what she thinks about marrying Paris, the nurse encourages this union for Juliet’s sake: “Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.” Her first priority is to Juliet’s well-being. Juliet confides in her nurse, even ab...

A literary device can be described as a particular method that an author uses to either enhance his/her writing or to effectively convey a message or to emphasize a particular word, phrase, sentence or situation, amongst others. The use of such literary devices enables the reader to critically analyze and appreciate the writer's work. There is a large range of such devices available to the writer. Comparison, for example, is a particularly useful device to clarify an author's purpose. When the writer calls a character 'a snake in the grass,' for instance, it is clear that he/she means that such a person is not to be trusted and means harm. In Act 4, scene 1 of Macbeth, the most obvious literary device is irony . In this instance, the irony is both verbal and dramatic . Verbal irony involves a character saying one thing, but meaning another, as in the following example from lines 79-81: Second Apparition Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn The power of man, for...

I think the hardest part of engaging with an assignment like this is choosing an appropriate passage. With an entire novel in front of you, how do you choose the right one? First, let's clarify what a "passage" is: normally it is not longer than a page in length, maybe a paragraph or two. Since some novels may have many short paragraphs, a "passage" could easily be made up of several paragraphs. A passage will... I think the hardest part of engaging with an assignment like this is choosing an appropriate passage. With an entire novel in front of you, how do you choose the right one? First, let's clarify what a "passage" is: normally it is not longer than a page in length, maybe a paragraph or two. Since some novels may have many short paragraphs, a "passage" could easily be made up of several paragraphs. A passage will be recognizable by its format, too: extra space will usually appear, even if there is not a whole new chapter. So, given ...

Fellow scientists ridiculed Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift because he did not have a mechanism to explain how such a thing could happen, and because it went against currently accepted theories. In 1911 Wegener, a German scientist, came across a paper that referred to fossils of animals and of plants that were identical to each other. The fact that these fossils were on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean made him search out and... Fellow scientists ridiculed Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift because he did not have a mechanism to explain how such a thing could happen, and because it went against currently accepted theories. In 1911 Wegener, a German scientist, came across a paper that referred to fossils of animals and of plants that were identical to each other. The fact that these fossils were on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean made him search out and find more examples. The accepted theory at the time was that land bridges had once connected th...

Jonas's mother has a more prestigious occupation than does his father. Jonas's mother holds an important position in the Department of Justice, while Jonas's father is a Nurturer, a person who cares for the infants before they are assigned families or released. The career of Jonas's mother certainly takes precedence over the father's position; moreover, she allows it to supersede her concern for her family as well, because she often seems preoccupied by her court... Jonas's mother has a more prestigious occupation than does his father. Jonas's mother holds an important position in the Department of Justice, while Jonas's father is a Nurturer, a person who cares for the infants before they are assigned families or released. The career of Jonas's mother certainly takes precedence over the father's position; moreover, she allows it to supersede her concern for her family as well, because she often seems preoccupied by her court cases. For example, i...

The 3-card monte hustle is significant because it reinforces the concepts of chance/ risk and the volatility of life. The card game is central to the story; it highlights how Booth and Lincoln choose to live their lives. Both gamble on more than a superficial level; they also pit their wits against each other in the game of life. The card game reinforces the concept of life as a game, where one must "hustle" in order to get ahead. In the play, risk-taking behavior is seen to be a multi-generational practice. Years ago, Booth and Lincoln's mother had a risky, adulterous relationship with the "Thursday" man and gambled that she would never be discovered. When Booth caught her in flagrante delicto (or in the midst of a tryst with the "Thursday" man), she paid him off with five hundred dollars. At least, this is how Booth sees it; he suggests that his inheritance from his mother is actually "hush" money. Not to be bested, Lincoln proclaims that ...

Neutralization Reactions A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid and a base react to form water and a salt:     HA + BOH -> `~H_2O` + BA Neutralization reactions are also double replacement reactions. H and OH combine to form water. B and A combine to form a salt. A  salt  is an ionic compound. Bases Bases can be defined as substances that increase the concentration of `~OH^-` ions when added to water:     BOH... Neutralization Reactions A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid and a base react to form water and a salt:     HA + BOH -> `~H_2O` + BA Neutralization reactions are also double replacement reactions. H and OH combine to form water. B and A combine to form a salt. A  salt  is an ionic compound. Bases Bases can be defined as substances that increase the concentration of `~OH^-` ions when added to water:     BOH -> `~B^` + `~OH^-` Since KOH would increase the concentration of `~OH^-` ions when added to water, we can conclude that KOH is a base:     KOH ->...

The tricuspid and bicuspid valves of the heart are also known as atrioventricular valves because they are located between the atria and the venticles of the heart.  They prevent blood from flowing back into the atria when the ventricles contract to move the blood either into the pulmonary trunk or the aorta to send the blood through the pulmonary or systemic circulation, respectively.  You might also see that the bicuspid valve is called the mitral... The tricuspid and bicuspid valves of the heart are also known as atrioventricular valves because they are located between the atria and the venticles of the heart.  They prevent blood from flowing back into the atria when the ventricles contract to move the blood either into the pulmonary trunk or the aorta to send the blood through the pulmonary or systemic circulation, respectively.  You might also see that the bicuspid valve is called the mitral valve. Deoxygenated blood returning from the tissues of the body (systemic circulation) ret...

There are 13 character vignettes in Paul Fleischman's novel  Seedfolks . All are members of a Cleveland, Ohio, neighborhood. All are connected by the development of a community garden in a vacant lot.  Kim, the character who starts the garden, is from Vietnam. Ana has lived in the U.S. since she was four years old. Her parents were from Groza, a village in the Ukraine. Wendel grew up on a farm in Kentucky. Gonzalo is... There are 13 character vignettes in Paul Fleischman's novel  Seedfolks . All are members of a Cleveland, Ohio, neighborhood. All are connected by the development of a community garden in a vacant lot.  Kim, the character who starts the garden, is from Vietnam. Ana has lived in the U.S. since she was four years old. Her parents were from Groza, a village in the Ukraine. Wendel grew up on a farm in Kentucky. Gonzalo is from Guatemala. There is no information given about where Leona and Sam are from. Leona is described as African-American, and there are hints that ...

When World War I started in 1914, there was a lot of positive energy and support for the war. Most men that were of fighting age signed up for service. Those that did not were looked down upon and even persecuted by the public. The war quickly became a nuisance on the domestic front, though. With the British doing the fighting on the Western Front, it became a defensive struggle in which casualties mounted. The... When World War I started in 1914, there was a lot of positive energy and support for the war. Most men that were of fighting age signed up for service. Those that did not were looked down upon and even persecuted by the public. The war quickly became a nuisance on the domestic front, though. With the British doing the fighting on the Western Front, it became a defensive struggle in which casualties mounted. The deaths and horrible injuries sustained by soldiers in the war quickly dampened the mood of England. Despite a strong propaganda campaign by the government, Brits were ...

There is BOTH internal and external conflict in Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse . The external conflict revolves around Victoria, a vampire seeking revenge for the killing of her romantic partner, James (the antagonist of the Twilight series' first book). Victoria wants to kill Bella to punish Edward for killing James, even though this "murder" was an act of defense. This conflict results in the creation of a vampire army and an enormous battle between these warring... There is BOTH internal and external conflict in Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse . The external conflict revolves around Victoria, a vampire seeking revenge for the killing of her romantic partner, James (the antagonist of the Twilight series' first book). Victoria wants to kill Bella to punish Edward for killing James, even though this "murder" was an act of defense. This conflict results in the creation of a vampire army and an enormous battle between these warring factions at the end of the boo...

In Act One, Scene Three of Romeo and Juliet , Juliet is subject to some unpleasant questioning from her mother. Lady Capulet wants to know what Juliet thinks of getting married, to which Juliet responds, "It is an honour that I dream not of." Lady Capulet thinks this is a ridiculous response and asks Juliet to re-consider. She cites several reasons, including the fact that many young women younger than Juliet have already been married... In Act One, Scene Three of Romeo and Juliet , Juliet is subject to some unpleasant questioning from her mother. Lady Capulet wants to know what Juliet thinks of getting married, to which Juliet responds, "It is an honour that I dream not of." Lady Capulet thinks this is a ridiculous response and asks Juliet to re-consider. She cites several reasons, including the fact that many young women younger than Juliet have already been married and bore children (including Lady Capulet herself when she was Juliet's age): ...younger than y...

American-born British writer T.S. Eliot’s poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" was first published in 1915. This work is widely seen as heralding a cultural shift from Romanticism to Modernism. The school of feminist criticism analyzes literature through the lens of feminist theory, exploring how literature responds to and reinforces aspects of our male-dominated society. Reading “Prufrock” from a feminist perspective, some critics have pointed to signs of misogyny. The refrain, “women come... American-born British writer T.S. Eliot’s poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" was first published in 1915. This work is widely seen as heralding a cultural shift from Romanticism to Modernism. The school of feminist criticism analyzes literature through the lens of feminist theory, exploring how literature responds to and reinforces aspects of our male-dominated society. Reading “Prufrock” from a feminist perspective, some critics have pointed to signs of misogyny...

At the beginning of the book, Maniac Magee is rather lost and searching for something that he's not sure exists yet: a permanent place to call his own with people who care about him. His parents have died, and his aunt and uncle hate each other and so rather than be unhappy, he runs away to start a new life on his own. At first, he is taken in by his new friend Amanda Beale... At the beginning of the book, Maniac Magee is rather lost and searching for something that he's not sure exists yet: a permanent place to call his own with people who care about him. His parents have died, and his aunt and uncle hate each other and so rather than be unhappy, he runs away to start a new life on his own. At first, he is taken in by his new friend Amanda Beale and her loving family. However, due to racial tensions between the white side of town and the black, he is targeted for living with a black girl and her family. After many failed attempts at finding a home for himself, Maniac Magee is ...

During the Renaissance, there was a resurgence of interest in Greek and Roman civilizations. Throughout the Middle Ages most of the teaching and learning was church-centered. At the time of the Renaissance, the church had started to lose its hold on people’s thoughts and actions. The invention of the printing press made books more widely available. In addition, the population was becoming wealthier and could afford these books. These readers from the upper classes and... During the Renaissance, there was a resurgence of interest in Greek and Roman civilizations. Throughout the Middle Ages most of the teaching and learning was church-centered. At the time of the Renaissance, the church had started to lose its hold on people’s thoughts and actions. The invention of the printing press made books more widely available. In addition, the population was becoming wealthier and could afford these books. These readers from the upper classes and nobility wanted to learn about history, math, finan...

The phrase is an idiom that means that someone really cares about someone else.   An idiom is an expression or figure of speech that is so commonly used that everyone knows what it means, even if it seems to make no sense on its own.  Other examples are “it’s raining cats and dogs” (for heavy rain) or “to beat around the bush” (to take a long time to tell someone something).  Sometimes expressions have... The phrase is an idiom that means that someone really cares about someone else.   An idiom is an expression or figure of speech that is so commonly used that everyone knows what it means, even if it seems to make no sense on its own.  Other examples are “it’s raining cats and dogs” (for heavy rain) or “to beat around the bush” (to take a long time to tell someone something).  Sometimes expressions have been around so long that their original meaning is lost, but they are still commonly used so everyone knows what they mean.  When you say someone is the “apple of his eye” it means that...

In the diary entry dated "Saturday, 20 June, 1942," Anne gives a brief history of her family. She starts by discussing when her parents met and got married, when she and Margot were born, and what different companies her father has worked for. Then she talks about the results of the Dutch capitulation to the Nazis in May of 1940. Everything changed for Jews in Holland once the Nazis took over. She remembers "Anti-Jewish decrees"... In the diary entry dated "Saturday, 20 June, 1942," Anne gives a brief history of her family. She starts by discussing when her parents met and got married, when she and Margot were born, and what different companies her father has worked for. Then she talks about the results of the Dutch capitulation to the Nazis in May of 1940. Everything changed for Jews in Holland once the Nazis took over. She remembers "Anti-Jewish decrees" came one right after another at that time. First, Jews had to wear yellow stars; then, they...

McMurphy discovers that Chief Bromden is not deaf when he is assigned a bed next to the Bromden. One night when McMurphy climbs into bed, he warns Bromden that one of the orderlies is coming to douse the lights. Bromden is startled when McMurphy says this. After the snickering orderly ties the sheets on Bromden, he departs, and Bromden hears McMurphy next to him breathing deeply as the covers on him rise and fall. Soon,... McMurphy discovers that Chief Bromden is not deaf when he is assigned a bed next to the Bromden. One night when McMurphy climbs into bed, he warns Bromden that one of the orderlies is coming to douse the lights. Bromden is startled when McMurphy says this. After the snickering orderly ties the sheets on Bromden, he departs, and Bromden hears McMurphy next to him breathing deeply as the covers on him rise and fall. Soon, however, McMurphy begins a "soft, throaty sound" that develops into a low chuckle. Turning toward Bromden, he whispers happily, "Why, ...